Photo of a colored engineering sketch of a planned landscape

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Combine Science and Art

Landscape architecture is the study of principles and practices related to the design and installation of environmentally pleasing landscape designs for homes, parks, commercial buildings, and natural settings. Projects may include subdivisions and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.

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Landscape architects typically do the following:

Confer with clients, engineers, and building architects to understand a project
Prepare site plans, specifications, and cost estimates
Coordinate the arrangement of existing and proposed land features and structures
Prepare graphic representations and drawings of proposed plans and designs
Analyze environmental reports and data on land conditions, such as drainage
Inspect landscape work to ensure that it adheres to original plans
Approve the quality of work that others do
Seek new work through marketing or by giving presentations
People enjoy attractively designed gardens, public parks, playgrounds, residential areas, college campuses, and golf courses. Landscape architects design these areas so that they are not only functional but also beautiful and harmonious with the natural environment.

Landscape architects plan the locations of buildings, roads, and walkways. They also plan where to plant flowers, shrubs, and trees. Landscape architects design and plan the restoration of natural places disturbed by humans, such as wetlands, stream corridors, and mined areas.

Many landscape architects specialize in a particular area, such as beautifying or otherwise improving streets and highways, waterfronts, parks and playgrounds, or shopping centers. Increasingly, landscape architects are working in environmental remediation, such as preserving and restoring wetlands or managing storm-water runoff in new developments. They are also increasingly playing a role in preserving and restoring historic landscapes.

Landscape architects who work for government agencies do design sites and landscapes for government buildings, parks, and other public lands, as well as plan for landscapes and recreation areas in national parks and forests. In addition, they prepare environmental impact statements and studies on environmental issues, such as planning for use of public lands.