The American Society of Landscape Architects, ASLA, provides the following:
"Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments. Landscape architectural projects include design of public parks, site planning for commercial and residential properties, land reclamation, urban and community design, and historic preservation. Examples of landscape architecture include Central Park in New York City, TRW's headquarters outside Cleveland, the ?Emerald Necklace? of green spaces and parks in Boston, Sursum Cordan Affordable Housing in Washington, D.C., preservation of Yosemite Park and Niagara Falls, and the landfill reclamation of Fresh Kills in New York. Landscape architects have advanced education, professional training, specialized skills, and are licensed in 47 states."
What is the difference between a Landscape Designer and a Landscape Architect?
The national professional association is the American Society of Landscape Architects, based in Washington. ASLA full members have graduated from an accredited landscape architecture program, have 7 years of education and/or professional experience and are state licensed. In Michigan, as well as all other States, a three (3) day LARE examination administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards is required to be passed for state licensure.
Landscape designers do not have these professional credentials. Many state and local governments require designs to be stamped with a state registered Landscape Architect's seal.
What can I expect the landscape architectural design process to be? Various architects may have different approaches, yet all are aimed at the same result. Make sure you're comfortable with the steps that the Landscape Architect defines. A typical process includes:
? Pre-planning - As the client, you discuss your desires with the architect and provide background, priorities, and any basic design guidelines. You'll work together and define the overall scope and timeline. The result will be a proposed budget and statement of work. The landscape architect will then prepare a contract for you to sign.
? Project Planning - Further preliminary details are developed with you about the site and its function and usage. The site is analyzed and the Landscape Architect creates a list of development priorities, which you'll approve.
? Preliminary Design - A review of the site, usage requirements, and environmental conditions are undertaken to create preliminary drawings. The Landscape Architect will show you design and presentation drawings showing the overall site concept. Initial construction cost estimates are provided, which you review and approve.
? Final design - Further detail is added to the concept. Material is selected and initial construction documentation is created. Where necessary, cost estimates are revised.
? Documentation - Additional detailed specifications and drawings are developed and provided to you for approval. The Landscape Architect may give you construction documents to assist you in soliciting bids from contractors and may help you review bids.
? Installation - Depending on your contract, the Landscape Architect may play an active role in representing you in your interaction with the contractor and provide on-site supervision. At the close of the project, the Landscape Architect will make a final inspection.
How do I find a good landscape contractor?
If you're going to need referrals to contractors and other service providers as part of your project, ask the Landscape Architect about these people. They will typically have an array of competent people in the industry for you to contact.
What's included in the landscape architecture contract?
Any reputable Landscape Architect will provide a written contract before beginning a project. This agreement will specify in detail the exact work to be done, the work schedule, the amount and payment terms of the landscape architect's fees, and the responsibilities of each party to the contract.
As a registered landscape architect in the State of Michigan and principle architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape architectural firm in southeast Michigan, I am particularly aware of the professional responsibilities related to landscape design. See: http://www.sexton-ennett.com
If there are nay questions please feel free to contact the ASLA or me.
Every day we are going to different places like parks, play grounds, colleges, shopping centers etc. All these places look nice because of landscaping done. Landscape architects are the people who are behind these beautiful landscapes. One of the objectives of landscape architects is to make outdoor places look beautiful as well as useful. Deciding the locations of flowers, trees, walkways, and other landscape details is a part of their job. They are required to work with architects, surveyors, and engineers for making proper layout for roads and buildings. They also work with environmental scientists to find out ways for conserving or restoring the environment in the best possible way. Landscape architects keep the purpose of the project in consideration while making the design. They also analyze the surroundings of the project area and keep the weather, soil of the place, water availability, vegetation and the terrain in their consideration. They also take a note of how sunlight falls on the place during times of the day. The design made by them keeps into consideration walkways, roads and building which already exist Landscape architects make a drawing of their plan. In their planning process they take the help of computers and uses CAD software for their design. They also use Geographic Information System (GIS) for the layout of plants and other objects in the design. The design of a landscape architect includes sketches, models and photographs to explain their idea. Some of them even use video simulation to help clients to visualize how the place would look after the project is complete. The design includes a report along with an estimate regarding the approximate cost of the project. They would take up a project for execution when the client or the government gives the 'go ahead' for the project. To start executing the project, the landscape architect draws of a list of material needed for the execution of the project and then guides workers in planting and constructing as per the plan. Some landscape architects would take up all kinds of project while others would specialize in specific places. For example, they may undertake projects only for parks. The job of a landscape architect involves a lot of work in an office as well as outside. Generally, they work regular hours but sometimes, they have to work for longer hours to meet a dead line. In many countries, landscape architects require a degree in landscape architecture or any other related subject to work in the profession. In 49 states of the USA, they are required to be licensed or registered, which requires passing of an exam. is a wonderful occupation for a person who loves nature and has a creative bent of mind.
Both Kimberley Ennett, Mla, Asla & Jessica Thomson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kimberley Ennett, Mla, Asla has sinced written about articles on various topics from Architecture. Kimberley Ennett has a Master Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan and is a registered landscape architect in the State of Michigan. She is a principle landscape architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape architectura. Kimberley Ennett, Mla, Asla's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.
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