Have you ever wondered what a landscape architect actually does? Well, read on, as we will explain exactly what they do!
Landscape architects work with homeowners to improve the function, value, and appearance of their properties. Depending on the client’s needs, landscape architects can provide designs the homeowner installs or that can be installed by licensed contractors. There are differences between landscape architecture and the other design professions. Architects primarily design buildings and structures with specific uses, such as homes, offices, schools, and factories. Civil engineers apply technical scientific principles to the design of city infrastructures, such as roads, bridges, and public utilities. Landscape contractors install their own designs or the design work of landscape architects. In order to practice landscape architecture in California, individuals must be licensed by the state. Licensure requires six years of education and experience in the field of landscape architecture and demonstrating entry level competency by passing the licensing examination.
Landscape architects are qualified and knowledgeable about most aspects of land-planning (including remodeling of your single-family residence landscaping, development of a single-family residence, and larger projects). They work with all consultants listed above to provide you with the best outcome to a property.
◆ Discussion of client needs and preferences
◆ Analysis of property features and constraints
◆ Development of a preliminary design plan to illustrate the client’s ultimate vision within the constraints of the property and budget
◆ Verification of compliance with applicable codes and ordinances
◆ Review of the design with the client, making refinements
◆ Assistance in obtaining approvals from jurisdictional bodies, such as city or county planning departments, and professional neighborhood planning groups, homeowner’s associations, associations of landscape architects
◆ Coordination of work with other design professionals or prospective clients.
◆ Providing construction drawings (details, specifications, plant lists) used to obtain bids and implement design
◆ Assistance in obtaining bids from contractors
◆ Construction observation or review of work in progress for proposals to compare relevant qualifications, prices and quality consistency with design intent of work.
Courtesy of http://www.latc.ca.gov/forms_pubs/resguide.pdf (Landscape Architects Technical Committee)
