Landscape Architect Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a landscape architect. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a landscape architect.
Who is a Landscape Architect?
Designing outdoor spaces, landmarks, and buildings with an eye on the environment, human behaviour, or aesthetics is known as landscape architecture. It entails investigating current social, ecological, and soil conditions and processes in the landscape, designing additional interventions that will achieve desired outcomes, and systematic design and general engineering of various structures for building and human use. The scope of the profession is broad and can be divided into several sub-categories, such as professional or licensed landscape architects who are governed by governmental organizations and have the knowledge to design a variety of structures and landforms for human use; landscape design, which is not a licensed profession; site planning; stormwater management; erosion control; environmental restoration; parks, recreation, and urban planning; and visual resource management. However, in jurisdictions where professional licenses are necessary, it is frequently only individuals who have a license for the practice of landscape architecture that can be referred to as landscape architects. Anyone practising the profession of landscape architecture may use the title.
An expert who specializes in landscape architecture is a landscape architect. Each nation and state has its own set of rules governing the profession. The definition of the term has changed to now encompass individuals formerly referred to as landscape gardeners, landscape or garden designers, architects, surveyors, or civil engineers. Specifically, this includes those who were active in the field in the 19th century before the name “landscape architect” was coined. An individual with training in landscape architecture is known as a landscape architect. Before they actively design aesthetically stunning outdoor designs, these pros must several prerequisites. It’s beneficial to be aware of the specifics of what a landscape architect’s work duties are and what it takes to become one if you’re interested in pursuing that career. In this post, we go over what landscape architects do, what their typical salaries are, and how you may become one step by step. The practice of landscape architecture entails a variety of tasks, such as site evaluation, site inventory, site planning, land planning, planting design, grading, stormwater management, sustainable design, construction specification, and making sure that all designs adhere to current building codes and regional and national regulations. Different types of landscape architecture exist. To integrate any structures, plantings, or usage requirements into the landscape in the most aesthetically acceptable way, designers of the various styles of landscape architecture consider the proportion, repetition, and unity of the site. Additionally, design-only, design-build, installation, and project maintenance are all possible components of landscape architecture. Various disciplines make up the different styles of landscape architecture:
Site Planning: This is the best way to utilize a plot of land for what it was meant to be used for. Site design may also take into account grading, geology, hydrology, and surface and subsurface drainage systems. Examples of site planning landscape architecture include the master planning and design of homes, communities, and estates.
Urban Design: This refers to how to develop cities and towns, their infrastructures, and growth patterns while taking into account the inherent geographic features and constraints. It might include a residential and urban design for streetscapes, public squares and spaces, transit corridors and facilities, security, academic campuses, institutions, interior landscaping, office buildings, and urban plazas.
Land Development: Land development is planning for the use of sizable areas of land based on geography, need, and other factors. It is similar to site planning but on a larger scale, such as suburban development. Site planning’s constituent parts are taken into account while determining how to structure suburban development.
Recreation and Parks: Public open spaces and recreation places are created using this style of landscape architecture. Public gardens, therapeutic gardens, arboretums, parks, playgrounds, golf courses, sports facilities, monuments, works of landscape art, zoos, and resorts are a few examples of this form of landscape architecture.
Ecological and Environmental Planning: This method of public space design makes the fewest modifications possible to already-existing, natural places, and elements. This can include the design of natural parks, coastal and offshore developments, ecological design, and open spaces.
Heritage Conservation: In this, historic land areas are recognized, safeguarded, and restored. Recognizing, preserving, and restoring historic lands are all part of heritage conservation. Among the several forms of heritage conservation landscape architecture are habitat restoration, historic preservation, and conservation planning.
Landscape Architect Job Description
Below are the landscape architect job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a landscape architect job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Oversee the design of a variety of initiatives, such as urban regeneration schemes, pedestrian schemes, road schemes, or retail schemes, and preserve the character of locations of natural beauty.
- Determine the broad requirements for the landscape with clients.
- Perform site research in the earliest stage (including contours, soil, ecology, buildings, roads, and heritage).
- Analyze a site’s capacity to satisfy the client’s requirements.
- Assess the environmental impact of your actions.
- Ask for and consider feedback from neighbourhood residents, prospective users, and others with an interest in the project.
- Prepare and deliver accurate comprehensive plans and working drawings for the project using computer-aided design (CAD) software or equivalent design tools, including applications, construction details, and specifications.
- Provide clients with bids, respond to inquiries, and negotiate any design changes.
- Complement the client’s requests with what you know would work the best.
- Make contact with and arrange with suppliers and manufacturers.
- Choose manager and contractor(mostly for larger projects), but the job out to bid, and lead cross-functional teams.
- Conduct site visits.
- Watch out for deadlines.
- Communicate with other experts working on the project.
- Watch and evaluate the work being done (on large projects, landscape managers may do this type of supervisory work).
- Authorize payment once the work has been successfully finished.
- Attend public hearings and testify if necessary.
- Bring about fresh business prospects.
Qualifications
- Landscape Architecture Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
- A record of ongoing education would be helpful.
- An appropriate license.
- Knowledge of how to maintain and fix lawn equipment
- Comprehension of urban environments (parks, commercial districts, outdoor shopping centres).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Infraworks, ArcGIS, and ArcGIS.
- Interest in Adobe Illustrator.
- Practical CAD software knowledge.
- Excellent inventiveness and artistic flare.
- The capacity to take criticism well.
- IT prowess, including proficiency with computer-aided design, and drawing
- Ability to manage clients.
- A license was granted through the Landscape Architect Registration Examination.
- The capacity to comprehend instructions both verbally and in writing.
- A valid state driver’s license
- Ability to make expressions clear to customers.
Essential Skills
- Active listening: Paying close attention to what others are saying, taking the time to understand their arguments, asking questions when necessary, and refraining from interruptions when not necessary. You can comprehend your consumers’ requirements and desires by actively listening to them.
- Communication skills: Landscape architects must be able to convey their ideas to clients, other architects, and process employees. To make sure their vision is recognized and appropriately carried out, they must communicate both orally and in writing. You can inform your clients by using your verbal communication skills. Talking with others allows you to properly communicate verbally.
- Creativity: The creation of various outdoor environments’ overall visual expression, which must be both aesthetically appealing and practical, is the responsibility of landscape architects. You can construct stunning outdoor areas that are also useful thanks to your creative side. Utilizing logic and reasoning to assess the benefits and drawbacks of potential solutions, conclusions, or methods for solving issues is what is meant by creativity.
- Critical thinking: Decisions and issues must be resolved by landscape architects. You can uncover potential solutions and then assess them to determine which is best if you have strong critical thinking abilities.
- Analytical skills: To understand how their ideas will impact locales, landscape architects must do a thorough analysis of the area in which they are planning to construct. For instance, a drainage system needs to be planned so that surrounding buildings won’t flood.
- Technical skills: To carry out their jobs, these experts must be proficient in using several computer software tools, such as computer-aided design and drafting systems.
- Reading comprehension: You must be able to comprehend materials relating to your line of work. Understanding written words and paragraphs in papers relating to your job re ing comprehension.
- Computer skills: Computer ability is necessary for this position because it heavily relies on technology, particularly Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and CADD for model development.
How to Become a Landscape Architect
Step 1. Complete a bachelor’s degree
The minimum to becoming a landscape architect calls called a bachelor’s degree. The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and the Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) are the two undergraduate degrees available to landscape architects. Verify if the course has received the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board’s accreditation and approval. Students studying landscape architecture take classes in site design, landscape building, and landscape ecology. Professional practice, the history of landscape architecture, and plant and soil science may all be covered in the additional curriculum. Projects that give students practical experience with model construction, computer design software, and other helpful applications are frequently given to them. Usually, it takes four to five years to finish this degree.
Step 2. Pursue an internship
Before you can get a license in landscape architecture, you usually need to have experience doing internships. You can work as a trainee or intern landscape architect while you are still in school, or you can wait until you have finished your studies and look for employment. You will gain technical knowledge and work under the guidance of a certified landscape architect during your internship. You’ll learn how to operate within a budget, find clients, and collect the appropriate fees as well as the day-to-day activities of landscape architecture. Depending on the size and type of the firm, each intern landscape architect might learn different jobs.
Step 3. Obtain a license
In the majority of states, landscape architects must be licensed. The LARE, also known as the Landscape Architect Registration Examination, is required of aspirant landscape architects and is given by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards. You can take the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards’ (CLARB) Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) in the spring or the fall. People who intend to take the exam must possess both a degree from a recognized program and internship experience under the supervision of a certified landscape architect. States have different requirements for the exam. Some states may have competency tests that are unique to each state based on factors like earthquakes in California or hurricanes in Florida.
Step 4. Pursue higher education
Additionally, schools and institutions offer a variety of Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degrees. If you’d like to learn more about landscape design, theory, and history, you can think about getting a master’s degree in landscape architecture. It is not necessary to have a master’s degree in landscape architecture to start working in this position, although it may improve your employability and raise your earning potential. This master’s program does not require that you hold a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture. You must complete the essential course requirements for your master’s degree even if you earned your bachelor’s in a different field. Without a bachelor’s in landscape architecture, the curriculum can take up to three years, while it only takes two years if you already have one. Students ho in this program might choose a concentration in a subject le site planning or heritage conservation.
Step 5. Become a member of a professional organization
Consider joining one of the well-known professional organizations for landscape architects to network and establish your expertise in your field. These businesses are:
The American Society of Landscape Architects: With a focus on education, knowledge advancement, and expanding the skill set of landscape architects, ASLA is the organization that represents landscape architecture in the United States. To help landscape architects maintain their licensing requirements, the society provides continuing education courses.
The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture: Through yearly conferences, publications, and regional gatherings, the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) offers opportunities for communication and in-person engagement among landscape architecture educators, practitioners, and students.
Where to Work as a Landscape Architect
The majority of landscape architects work in the engineering and architecture sector. Some people work for landscaping companies. A landscape architect may be self-employed, work for the government, or provide services for architecture, engineering, or landscaping. To plan and create outdoor areas, landscape architects frequently work within offices. They spend the remainder of their working hours on job sites.
Landscape Architect Salary Scale
The level of knowledge, experience, skills, gender, industry, and geographic location all affect the typical compensation for landscape architects. In the United States, the yearly average pay is $64,757. In Nigeria, the average monthly salary for a landscape architect is about 481,000 NGN. From 245,000 to 740,000 NGN is the range for salaries.
