Landscape Architects are- . . . architects of the landscape– Landscape architecture is a synthesized, applied science that contributes directly to public welfare by producing more livable cities and towns. Landscape architecture is the art, planning, design, management , preservation and rehabilitation of the land and the design of human-made constructs. The scope of the profession includes architectural design, site planning, housing estate development, environmental restoration, town or urban planning, urban design, parks and recreation planning, regional planning, landscape urbanism, and historic preservation. Everyone enjoys attractively designed residential areas, public parks and playgrounds, college campuses, shopping centers, golf courses, and parkways. Landscape architects design these areas so that they are not only functional, but also beautiful, and compatible with the natural environment. They design for people, for plants and animals. They also collaborate with environmental scientists, foresters, and other professionals to find the best way to conserve or restore natural. Landscape architecture is a multi-disciplinary field, which includes: geography, mathematics, science, engineering, art, horticulture, technology, social sciences, politics, history, philosophy and occasionally zoology. They design at all scales, from residential to community, to regional and even national areas in size. Landscape architects work for many types of organizations—from real estate development firms starting new projects to municipalities constructing airports or parks—and they often are involved with the development of a site from its conception. Working with architects, surveyors, and engineers, landscape architects help to plan the location of buildings, roads, and walkways, and the arrangement of flowers, shrubs, and trees. The landscape architects create detailed plans indicating new topography, vegetation, walkways, and other landscaping details, such as fountains and decorative features. They also design and plan the restoration of natural places disturbed by humans such as wetlands, stream corridors, mined areas and forested land. Landscape Architecture is the Art of Placement in the largest sense.
Process for Landscape Architecture
The practice of landscape architecture involves numerous processes, each with their own methodology. The processes vary depending on the scale of the project, its stage of development, the client and/or community groups involved, the product, and the planning, design and communication tools selected.
First, landscape architects will meet with the client-whether a private company, community planning board, or residential homeowner-and discern the goal of the project. This will often involve visiting and studying the site in question and preparing a site analysis.
Then, schematic plans will be drawn up and discussed with the client. In planning a site, landscape architects first study the project holistically. They also consider the purpose of the project and the funds available. They analyze the natural elements of the site, such as the climate, soil, slope of the land, drainage, and vegetation; observe where sunlight falls on the site at different times of the day; and assess the effect of existing buildings, roads, walkways, and utilities.
After studying and analyzing the site, landscape architects prepare a preliminary design. To address the needs of the client as well as the conditions at the site, they frequently make changes before a final design is approved. They also take into account any local, State, or Federal regulations, such as those protecting wetlands or historic resources. In preparing designs, computer-aided design (CAD) has become an essential tool for most landscape architects. Many landscape architects also use video simulation to help clients envision the proposed ideas and plans. For larger scale site planning, landscape architects also use geographic information systems (GIS) technology, a computer mapping system. Throughout all phases of planning and design, landscape architects consult with other professionals, such as civil engineers, hydrologists, or architects, involved in the project.
Designers then begin to flesh out this conceptual sketch with more detailed drawings-which might still be fairly rough and incomplete. Shapes, patterns, and spatial organization will all be tested during this stage.
Once a design is chosen, the designer will create a more formal two-dimensional rendering including written reports, sketches, models, photographs, land-use studies, and cost estimates, and submit them for approval by the client and by regulatory agencies.. Oftentimes, this plan will be examined from several approaches, and designers will also do sections, illustrations, or axonometric (bird’s-eye-view) projections. To further show how the design will look when built, landscape architects will also often create a 3-D model or use computer imaging to create 3-D graphics or virtual movies.
Landscape architects often revise a design several times based on the client’s needs. Sometimes a project requires public approval as well, and landscape architects might find themselves making presentations to large groups. Once the design is complete, they prepare a proposal for the client.
Once a final plan is approved, landscape architects will prepare working drawings showing all existing and proposed features. They also outline in detail the methods of construction and draw up a list of necessary materials. As a project moves into construction, the landscape architect may oversee construction and make sure everything is proceeding according to plan.
Landscape architects then monitor the implementation of their design, while general contractors or landscape contractors usually direct the actual construction of the site and installation of plantings.
However, given the breadth of the profession, it is important to note that no two projects are alike and the processes used to solve challenging environmental and social challenges evolve with each project. .
Some examples of project types include:
- The planning, form, scale and siting of new developments
- Civil design and public infrastructure
- Feasibility studies
- Wetlands mitigation, preservation or replacement
- Storm water management including rain gardens, green roofs and treatment wetlands
- Campus and site design for institutions
- Parks, botanical gardens, arboretums, greenways, and nature preserves
- Recreation facilities like golf courses, theme parks and sports facilities
- Housing areas, industrial parks and commercial developments
- Highways, transportation structures, bridges, and transit corridors
- Urban design, town and city squares, waterfronts, pedestrian schemes, and parking lots
- Large or small urban regeneration schemes
- Digital design services and 3D visual modeling
- Historic preservation
- ADA compliance and accessibility plans
- Forest, tourist or historic landscapes, and historic garden appraisal and conservation studies
- Reservoirs, dams, power stations, reclamation of extractive industry applications or major industrial projects
- Environmental assessment and landscape assessment, planning advice and land management proposals.
- Coastal and offshore developments
- Renderings and scale model construction
