Landscape architecture involves different aspects of designing and planning outdoor spaces like parks, city landmarks, private and public gardens, terrace gardens, and more. It uses softscape and hardscape to integrate the built environment with the unbuilt one. If you are looking for a landscape architect, you can contact Drake’s 7 Dees Landscaping and Garden Center. You can learn more about Drake’s 7 Dees by contacting them or visiting their website.
A landscape architect is responsible for creating natural and built environments in open spaces that are practical as well as aesthetically pleasing. They can carry out their work in rural as well as urban areas. They will consult and provide expertise on design and plans and oversee the regeneration, creation, and development of external land areas like gardens and residential, commercial, and industrial areas. They will combine their artistic skills with information about human activity in a specific area and the natural environment and will help protect and conserve the environment.
What Does a Landscape Architect Do?
Listed below are some of the important tasks that a landscape architect carries out:
- Meets with clients to discuss the project and its goals
- Draws designs and creates site plans and models using software and other computer-aided programs
- Creates specifications for the project and cost estimates
- Collaborates with engineers, architects, surveyors, laborers, contractors, and others involved in the project
- Surveys the site where the project needs to be completed
- Provides advice on matters involving environmental conservation
- Discusses project requirements with clients
- Writes project reports
- Creates models of the landscape plan using software and geographic information systems
- Analyzes the land of the project and its drainage
- Presents project proposals to clients for approval and creates timelines
- Monitors and manages the project as it progresses
- Gets opinions of locals, businesses, and others who may be using the designed site
- Liaisons with other professionals like surveyors, architects, civil engineers, and town planners
- Restores natural areas like streams and wetlands
The architect will retain responsibility for the designs and monitor the project and its progress while the contractors and engineering team will handle the actual construction and maintenance of the area. Typically, landscape architects work in an office and visit their project sites whenever required.
Types of Landscape Architecture
While a landscape architect’s primary job is to design and plan large portions of land to suit its surroundings, there are different types of landscape architecture that they can focus on. The important ones are listed below:
Site Planning
The landscape architect will determine how to use a patch of land most efficiently. Site planning can include surface and sub-surface drainage systems, hydrology, geology, and grading. Examples of site planning landscape architecture include master planning and design for communities, residences, and estates.
Urban Design
Urban design refers to the planning of towns and cities and their infrastructure and growth patterns. The architect considers the natural geographic features and limitations of an area when designing urban spaces. The urban design also includes public spaces and squares, streetscapes, transportation corridors, security, institutions, academic campuses, interior landscaping, office, and urban plazas.
Parks and Recreation
When working on parks and recreation areas, the architect will design open spaces for public use. This can include therapeutic gardens, public gardens, arboretums, playgrounds, public parks, golf courses, sports facilities, landscape art, monuments, zoos, and resorts.
Environmental and Ecological Planning
Under this type of landscape architecture, the architect will design public areas using existing natural elements and spaces with very few modifications. Environmental and ecological planning includes the design of green spaces, coastal and offshore developments, ecological designs, and natural parks. Learn about hiring a professional tree service
Heritage Conservation
Heritage conservation identifies, protects, and restores historic lands and landmarks. It includes habitat restoration, historic preservation, and conservation planning.
For each of these types of architecture, the architect will look at the proportion, repetition, and unity of the site to incorporate different structures, plants, and usage needs that fit the surroundings well. Landscape architects may sometimes also provide design-only services, design/build services, installations, and maintenance of large projects.
Skills a Landscape Architect Must Have
While creativity is one of the most important skills that a landscape architect must have, there are many other skills required. Some of them include:
- Artistic flair
- An interest in life sciences, the environment, and knowledge of the conditions required for wildlife to flourish
- Imagination and creativity
- Attention to detail
- Leadership abilities
- Negotiation skills
- Spatial and lateral thinking
- Drawing and IT skills, including the ability to create computer-aided designs
- Client management skills
Hire a Landscape Architect
Landscape architecture can add an aesthetic touch to your home and improve your curb appeal. Professional landscaping companies offer quality design and installation services. Their services include landscape architecture, designing of decks, driveways, and fences, outdoor living rooms, patios, and pergolas, water features, and yards, ponds and pools, and more.
