What is landscape architecture?

Landscape architects develop inventive, site-appropriate solutions that enhance their physical surroundings whether these be buildings, parks, home or public places. Landscape architecture is an expression of cultural and personal values. It is enhanced by interaction with other academic fields including horticulture, architecture, city and regional planning, and fine arts. Landscape architecture includes landscape preservation, development and enhancement. To do this, the landscape architect may be involved in the investigation, selection, and allocation of land and water resources for appropriate use, feasibility studies, formulation of graphic and written criteria to govern the planning and design of land construction programs, the preparation, review, and analysis of master plans for land use and development; the production of overall site plans, landscape grading and landscape drainage plans, irrigation plans, the planting plans, and construction details; specifications; cost esti ... more

Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments. Types of projects include: residential; parks and recreation; monuments; urban design; streetscapes and public spaces; transportation corridors and facilities; gardens and arboreta; security design; hospitality and resorts; institutional; academic campuses; therapeutic gardens; historic preservation and restoration; reclamation; conservation; corporate and commercial; landscape art and earth sculpture; interior landscapes; and more. Landscape architects have advanced education and professional training and licensed professionals can be found in 47 states. ... more

Landscape architecture is a branch of architecture that deals with the planning and design of land and its relation to the buildings around it. While many believe that it is simply related to landscaping and plant selection, landscape architecture is actually much more involved then that. This practice blends site planning, landscaping, art, and environmental restoration to help connect an area to the buildings around it, and make the landscape attractive in itself. The goal of landscape architecture is to create pleasing, functional, and beautiful spaces that serve the needs of their owners or the public. As the green building movement grows, landscape architecture will likely become even more critical to the building process. Trained landscape architects help lay out a piece of land, determining where structures should be placed so that they have minimal impact on the environment. The landscape architect will take into account the profile of the land, plants and wildlife, nearby wate ... more

Landscape architecture is the profession that involves the analysis, planning, design, stewardship and management of our land and outdoor spaces. Landscape architecture is one of the most diverse of the design professions in that it combines the structural design skills of architecture, the scientific principles of engineering and the development skills of urban planners. A landscape architect is uniquely qualified to create park and open spaces, better housing and commercial developments and more enjoyable recreational experiences. All this while addressing concerns about environmental protection of our resources! The work of landscape architects is everywhere in the design and planning of public plazas, parkways and school campuses, community gardens, hospital and wellness gardens, community parks, waterfront developments and corporate courtyards. Additionally, landscape architects play a major part in the preservation of national parks and monuments. Providing well-managed design an ... more

Landscape architecture is the practice of designing outdoor spaces to maximise their benefit for people and the wider environment. It involves the design of both hard (paving, seating) and soft (planting and trees) landscape. It can be small scale, such as designing a local park or seating area, but it can also cover much larger projects, such as strategic plans for whole regions. ... more

Join us at the SLO Symposium 2009 for a fun and interactive discussion on all things landscape architecture. For info and to RSVP, visit: http://www.land8lounge. ... more