Why study landscape architecture?

Landscape architecture combines art and science to improve not only the environment, but also our daily lives. You have the opportunity to make an impact on the global experience of outdoor spaces as a landscape architect, and you have endless ways and places to do so.

Landscape architecture

is an important career because it helps make the world more livable, protects the environment and focuses on creativity and design. What is landscape architecture? Landscape architecture is the study and practice of designing environments (outdoor & indoors) of different scales that encompass elements of art, environment, architecture, engineering and sociology.

The question of what landscape architecture is raises different opinions about what it is and what it is not; the profession is so broad and encompassing that there is enough scope and breadth in the profession to adapt to different points of view and remember that we have a wide range of knowledge, skills and talents. April is Landscape Architecture Month and the WLA will discuss What is landscape architecture? and publish several profiles and articles. Landscape architects often work as part of a team and also have to interact with clients, other architects, engineers, community members, contractors, and anyone else involved in a particular project. A landscape architect specializing in stormwater management knows how to use natural elements, such as soil or plants, to absorb excess water.

As a profession, landscape architects should be proud, as few professions can claim to create places that impact and benefit so many people. Some landscape architects may choose to work in several fields, while others prefer to pursue a specialization. Analyze the characteristics of the natural landscape and determine how to incorporate them into your architectural plans. A landscape architect learns about many elements of visual design through his work, including arrangements of colors, shapes, and textures in an outdoor space.

Landscape architects work for government, councils, developers, contractors, major landowners, and local authorities. Depending on the needs of the project, landscape architects can work closely with professionals such as architects, surveyors, landscape architects, healthcare providers, environmental scientists and engineers. The use of architectural principles of landscaping can help improve the sustainability of outdoor spaces and nearby indoor areas. Today, landscape architects combine science and art, vision and thinking to understand how the environment works and determine how to deal with the increasingly complex relationships between built and natural environments.

The position involves a great deal of collaboration with landscape contractors, environmentalists, surveyors and engineers. Some states may also ask aspiring landscape architects to pass additional tests on items such as environmental regulations as part of their licensing process. Landscape architects can also design green roofs, that is, roofs covered with earth and live plants, which can help clean rainwater and reduce the temperature of the surrounding air. Landscape architects who specialize in urban design understand how to organize residential and commercial properties that allow population growth and preserve natural earth elements.