Many times I have been asked what is the difference between a
landscape architect and a landscape designer. Hopefully the
following will answer this question.
The American Society of Landscape Architects, ASLA, provides the
following:
"Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning,
design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built
environments. Landscape architectural projects include design of
public parks, site planning for commercial and residential
properties, land reclamation, urban and community design, and
historic preservation. Examples of landscape architecture
include Central Park in New York City, TRW's headquarters
outside Cleveland, the "Emerald Necklace" of green spaces and
parks in Boston, Sursum Cordan Affordable Housing in Washington,
D.C., preservation of Yosemite Park and Niagara Falls, and the
landfill reclamation of Fresh Kills in New York. Landscape
architects have advanced education, professional training,
specialized skills, and are licensed in 47 states."
What is the difference between a Landscape Designer and a
Landscape Architect?
The national professional association is the American Society of
Landscape Architects, based in Washington. ASLA full members
have graduated from an accredited landscape architecture
program, have 7 years of education and/or professional
experience and are state licensed. In Michigan, as well as all
other States, a three (3) day LARE examination administered by
the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards is
required to be passed for state licensure.
Landscape designers do not have these professional credentials.
Many state and local governments require designs to be stamped
with a state registered Landscape Architect's seal.
What can I expect the landscape architectural design process to
be? Various architects may have different approaches, yet all
are aimed at the same result. Make sure you're comfortable with
the steps that the Landscape Architect defines. A typical
process includes:
· Pre-planning - As the client, you discuss your desires with
the architect and provide background, priorities, and any basic
design guidelines. You'll work together and define the overall
scope and timeline. The result will be a proposed budget and
statement of work. The landscape architect will then prepare a
contract for you to sign.
· Project Planning - Further preliminary details are developed
with you about the site and its function and usage. The site is
analyzed and the Landscape Architect creates a list of
development priorities, which you'll approve.
· Preliminary Design - A review of the site, usage requirements,
and environmental conditions are undertaken to create
preliminary drawings. The Landscape Architect will show you
design and presentation drawings showing the overall site
concept. Initial construction cost estimates are provided, which
you review and approve.
· Final design - Further detail is added to the concept.
Material is selected and initial construction documentation is
created. Where necessary, cost estimates are revised.
· Documentation - Additional detailed specifications and
drawings are developed and provided to you for approval. The
Landscape Architect may give you construction documents to
assist you in soliciting bids from contractors and may help you
review bids.
· Installation - Depending on your contract, the Landscape
Architect may play an active role in representing you in your
interaction with the contractor and provide on-site supervision.
At the close of the project, the Landscape Architect will make a
final inspection.
How do I find a good landscape contractor?
If you're going to need referrals to contractors and other
service providers as part of your project, ask the Landscape
Architect about these people. They will typically have an array
of competent people in the industry for you to contact.
What's included in the landscape architecture contract?
Any reputable Landscape Architect will provide a written
contract before beginning a project. This agreement will specify
in detail the exact work to be done, the work schedule, the
amount and payment terms of the landscape architect's fees, and
the responsibilities of each party to the contract.
As a registered landscape architect in the State of Michigan and
principle architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape
architectural firm in southeast Michigan, I am particularly
aware of the professional responsibilities related to landscape
design. See: http://www.sexton-ennett.com
If there are nay questions please feel free to contact the ASLA
or me.
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