Landscape Architecture: A Profile

Who are Landscape Architects?

While landscape architects are a diverse group of individuals, they seem to share certain common traits. Landscape architects care for and respect the natural environment. Landscape architects are concerned for the quality of the human environment as well. They are creative...that is they can visualize things that don't yet exist. Landscape architects enjoy the process of analyzing and resolving complex problems.

Landscape architects are often found with their pen and sketchbook in hand. Drawing and sketching is both business and pleasure for many of these design professionals. But while abilities in drawing and sketching are important tools for communicating design solutions, verbal communication and writing skills are equally important. Landscape architects take pride in their dedication to the stewardship of our natural environment.

Landscape architects are creative problem solvers who combine a genuine concern for our environment with analytical, process-oriented methodologies. Human beings cannot live without nature. Of this we are certain. It is equally true, however, that we cannot live in nature without altering it. Whenever humans endeavor to alter the world's landscape, landscape architects offer their unique set of skills to ensure a harmonious marriage of nature and people.

What are some of the ways that people alter the landscape? People build cities and towns; parks and plazas; golf courses; parkways and highways; airports; office buildings; retail facilities; resorts and hotels; residential communities. The list goes on. Landscape architects plan and design all of these and more. A landscape architect often works on a multi-disciplinary team with architects, engineers, environmentalists, urban designers and others to plan these facilities.

A landscape architect is a designer. Landscape architects utilize a creative approach to determine inventive and innovative solutions to development problems. They study alternative solutions utilizing tools that range from sketches to computers...from pencils to digitizers.

A landscape architect is a planner. Landscape architects must possess a vision for the future, and a plan for getting there. The processes utilized by landscape architects apply to all scales of projects, ranging from a single residence to a master-plan for the development of thousands of acres.

A landscape architect is a communicator. The world's landscape is a precious resource. Our clients, co-workers, agencies and the public have the need and the right to understand the nature of any changes that are being proposed to their environment. Landscape architects must possess the graphic and verbal skills to articulate their visions clearly if they hope to gain the support and approvals necessary to proceed with a plan.

Employment in Landscape Architecture

Given the thoughtful and environmentally sensitive design approaches used by landscape architects, it's no wonder that the employment outlook for the profession remains bright. The world simply cannot afford to permit further development that fails to balance the needs of nature and people for their mutual benefit.