What is landscape architecture? Is landscape architecture a good career?
Ever taken an evening stroll and noticed all the magnificent buildings and structures, like the small parks, the water fountains, and the unique touch in all the other buildings? Well, that’s all that landscape architecture is about. It doesn’t just dwell on buildings but the plants and greenery around. Landscape architecture adds life to the building and makes it more pleasant, and comfortable.
Landscape architecture is a great career path, not only is it lucrative and does it pay well, but it adds beauty to the surroundings, a thing to see and be proud of. Those who have a passion for designing and can’t find themselves in any field can try landscape architecture. It is a great career choice!
Types of landscape architecture:
The whole concept of landscape architecture is very broad and can be divided into many classes:
1. Urban design:
This involves the planning and designing of cities and towns. When designing an urban environment, you consider the buildings and structures to be built or already built; alongside the natural environment like plants and animals. Urban designing prevents common problems of poor housing structures and the destruction of nature.
2. Site planning:
Site planning deals with the effective use of land for the reason it is meant for. Meaning, if you want to build, say, an estate, it is the job of a site planner to ensure that every square inch of land is utilized for the best. Site planning is very important in landscape architecture.
3. Parks and recreation:
From the name you can easily tell it is about designing and building parks and recreational centers. But it is more than just having a geographical location and ensuring it has plenty of grass. Other monuments and structures erected should be in such a way that they are appealing and appropriate. Since these are created for public use, all members of the public have to be thought about in the planning.
4. Land development:
It is a lot like site planning and has some of the elements of site planning embedded in it. The difference is land development focuses more on transforming rural and primitive areas into suburban or urban areas like villages into towns. Here geographical location, weather conditions, and a bit of soil science are needed.
5. Ecological and environmental planning:
This type of landscape architecture ensures the preservation of the ecological habitat and natural dwellings of animals. They also make sure not to damage other parts of nature like plants. This type is important during industrial revolutions, sourcing for raw materials, and forest protection.
Principles in landscape architecture.
Let’s say you want to paint a picture, what are the factors to take into consideration? That’s exactly what the principles of landscape architecture are all about. Surprisingly, they are also very similar to the factors to consider in creating a work of art, and understanding and applying these principles will always give your work a unique touch. Try to see the landscape as a blank canvas and get to work.
1. Line:
This is the base of every design. Lines can be long, short, diagonal, horizontal, vertical, straight, or broken. Lines are the link between one element to another. If there is no line then your design is not complete. Whatever type of line you use, keep it simple. Too many lines will make the design look complex and difficult. It will erase the beauty in it.
2. Space:
Just like there are spaces between words, there should be space in any design. Space allows for flow and movement. Imagine designing a bridge and then there is no space to walk from one end to another. It is useless! So in everything, there should be space.
3. Color:
Color adds life to anything. A design without color is unimaginable. Colors can be grouped into three: warm, cool, and neutral. If too many warm colors are used, it will look childish. If you make use of too many cool colors, you give it a serious look. And the use of only neutral colors isn’t appealing at all. Also, the colors that will be used should blend well or complement each other. For example; red and green are complementary colors. Also, put in mind what you are designing. If you are designing an amusement park, you do not want to go for only neutral colors. You will make use of warm colors and light shades of some cool colors.
4. Proportion:
This refers to the size of the elements of your design. If the elements are too big or too small, they would look like an amateur’s work. Also, all elements do not have to be the same size, some will be bigger or smaller than the others. Think of it as molding a human sculpture. The whole head has to be bigger than the ears, so do not make the ears large and fix them to a pin-sized face. Whatever design you want to do, try to make sure they are in the right proportion.
5. Repetition:
In designing, it is okay to repeat some elements just like you want to have several rose bushes in a garden but do not repeat to a point that looks like the only thing in your design. It is like calling a big long hall a house. It is not a house because there are no rooms. So your design won’t be good if there are no other elements in it. While repetition is good for emphasis on a particular design, too much of it will make your design boring and ridiculous.
6. Unity:
Unity is what makes all the other principles become a design. You say there is unity in a design when it follows the other principles in landscape architecture. If anyone is missing or not properly done, the design lacks unity. Unity is what gives it a feel and makes it likable.
Where can I work as a landscape architect?
As a landscape architect, you can work in private or public organizations. Public organizations refer to the government at federal, state, regional, or local levels. You can help in big projects of a country like building stadiums, airports, major roads, and a few recreational centers.
For the private sector, you can work with engineering and building firms who work for private individuals, other companies, and sometimes the government. You may however not work alone as you will be working with a team of experts to ensure the smooth running of any project at hand. In addition to that, if you have a flair for landscape architecture but you do not see yourself practicing, you can join the academic sector and teach in colleges, universities, and polytechnics anywhere. They can work in any department like the faculty of art, architecture, and sometimes, engineering.
What qualifications do I need to become a landscape architect?
Qualifications for different sectors, positions, or jobs differ from place to place. What we can however all agree on is:
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in landscape architecture.
- A bachelor of science.
Most jobs require you to be licensed to be able to work as a landscape architect. You get your license to work if you pass your license test.
Other things may be needed or asked based on the type of job and a host of other factors.
Skills to have as a landscape architect.
Every job requires a certain number of skills and landscape architecture is no different. Here is a list of skills you need to have as a landscape architect:
1. Creativity:
This is paramount in any type of design. No one wants the same old idea so you need to be creative to be a good landscape architect. Creativity also helps the workflow. Normally, landscape architects work in teams where ideas are exchanged and discussed on the best way to go about a project. You do not want to be one to not contribute anything.
2. Communication skills:
Communication is key in landscape architecture because you won’t only discuss and share ideas with your team but with the client. You should be able to get your ideas across to the client and be able to listen to theirs too.
3. Technical skills:
In the internet age that we live in, there is no denying the use of computers and other technological devices. They do not only help you design but make designing easier with pre-developed apps. They are also your link to prospective clients who require your services.
4. Good research skills:
This is also important because a lot of information will need to be researched. For example, if you have worked in an area that is not prone to any extreme weather or natural disasters, working in a swampy area will need you to do a bit of research to know the best materials to use and what structure is best for the location.
5. Writing skills:
As a landscape architect, or involved in other careers related to landscape architecture, you will need to do a lot of writing, or typing depending on the requirements of the establishment or job at hand. This is because most things are voluminous, require research, and can be forgotten. So for easy access, they are better written down and kept as documents. Also, if you work as a drafter, your work is still document-based because you will be converting one form of documents to another.
Career paths in landscape architecture.
1. Landscape architect:
Landscape architects are people who design the environment, buildings, and the natural world, to make it pleasant and lovely.
2. Civil engineers:
Civil engineers are the type of engineers that design and construct new structures and maintain old ones.
3. Landscape planner:
A landscape planner is a person whose job is to analyze and develop land concerning nature and other environmental factors.
4. Environmental designer:
An environmental designer ensures that all environmental factors are taken into consideration and are in good condition in the construction of other structures.
5. Drafters:
A drafter is a person who converts the finished designs of the landscape designer or civil engineer into technical drawings so that they can be worked on. It is mostly done using technology.
6. Interior designers:
Interior designers are people who manage and design spaces to make them functional. An interior designer takes into consideration the structure and purpose of the building to create a pleasant environment. Interior designs can design and decorate but their job is solely to design.
7. Surveyors:
The work of a surveyor or construction surveyor is not anything too fancy. Surveyors take measurements of the site to be worked on and give certain markers and reference points that will help the other people working on the job work effectively. If a surveyor’s part is not done well, it can make the whole project wrong and even lead to serious risks like the building or structure collapsing.
What is the role of a landscape architect?
If what you want to know is what they spend their time doing, well it is very simple.
Landscape architects spend most of their time in the office planning, getting documents ready, doing extensive research, and working with other specialists to ensure it all turns out well.
They also meet clients and discuss with them how everything will be put in place. They reveal the plans to the clients and make corrections if necessary. The rest of their time is onsite. They are there sometimes to supervise alongside other workers, exchange ideas, and monitor the progress of things. The busiest time for a landscape architect is during the work stage after all documents are complete and work has begun on the site.
Conclusion/Summary:
Landscape architecture is a very exciting career, whatever sector you find yourself or you want to engage in. Just be sure to do what you are to do for the better functioning of the whole team.
Remember the beauty of our environment is in your hands, do not let us down.
Frequently asked questions:
- Is landscape architecture a good career?
- Yes, it is. There are so many benefits and roles to being a landscape architect. The beauty of the surrounding rests on your shoulders.
- What other careers are available in landscape architecture?
- Interior designing, civil engineering, surveying, landscape planning, drafting, e.t.c