Landscape
Architecture
Landscape architecture speaks for itself. You can see it in
professionally-designed residential properties, public parks and
playgrounds, parkways and golf courses. The purpose of landscape
architecture is to create spaces that are functional and
beautiful. Residential
landscape architects plan the location of flowers, shrubs,
and trees, and the arrangement of hardscape elements, such as
outdoor water fountains, arbors and gazebos, and luxury swimming
pools. They are also charged with designing and planning
landscapes that suit the natural environment and conditions.
Landscape Architects: Background
Who can deliver landscape design? To become a landscape
architect usually requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in
landscape. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there
are two undergraduate professional degrees: a Bachelor of
Landscape Architecture (BLA) and a Bachelor of Science in
Landscape Architecture (BSLA). Typically, these degrees entail
four or five years of study in design, construction techniques,
art, history, and natural and social sciences.
For landscape architects seeking advanced degrees, there are two
routes. Those who hold undergraduate degrees in landscape
architecture can earn their Masters (MLA) in two years. If you
hold an undergraduate degree in a field other than landscape
architecture and want to go into landscape architecture, the MLA
usually takes three years of full-time study.
In 2007, 61 U.S. colleges and universities offered 79
undergraduate and graduate programs in landscape architecture
that were accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation
Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
The Steps
Working with home architects, surveyors, engineers and
contractors, landscape architects help determine the best
arrangement of the property’s elements. Landscape architects, in
collaboration with these professionals, create detailed plans
indicating new topography, vegetation, walkways, and other
landscaping details, such as outdoor kitchens, gate placement
and other decorative features.
In the preliminary stages, landscape architects first study the
project as a whole. They consider the wants and needs of the
homeowner and the available budget. 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 different times of
the year; and assess the effect of the existing neighborhood,
roads, walkways, and utilities.
The next step in the process is the
conceptual design phase that
develops out of the meeting notes, site analysis, program of
uses, and the architect’s experience. At this conceptual level,
a landscape architect conveys the overall design intent, such as
the general use areas and their sizes, material choices,
irrigation systems, drainage systems, lawn areas, and plantings.
An overall cost study is developed from the conceptual
landscaping design as well.
Once you have agreed on the overall design intent, sizes of use
areas, general material selections and their applications, you
are ready to begin the landscaping design development and
construction phase. The documentation for this phase includes
landscaping design drawings for permitting, drawings to convey
final design intent, and construction documents, which include
specifications for materials and their installation.
These drawings may be accompanied by a full package of
additional drawings to include an existing site survey,
elevation plan, a plan for tree disposition and tree
preservation, landscape planting plan, landscape lighting plan,
and construction details for the above plans.
Exterior Worlds, in
business since 1987, provides high-end landscape design and
services for residences in the Houston area, including Memorial,
River Oaks and West University. Call them at 713-827-2255 to
discuss landscaping for your home.
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