Landscape Architecture

1
Landscape Architecture
A Career Guide To
2
Significant Points

• More than 26 percent of all landscape architects
  are self employed.
• A bachelors degree in landscape architecture is
  the minimum required for entry-level jobs.
• Landscape architect jobs are expected to increase
  due to a growing demand for incorporating natural
  elements into man-made environments.

3
Nature Of The Work

• Design areas that are functional, beautiful, and
  compatible with the natural environment.
• Help determine the best arrangements of roads and
  buildings.
• Collaborate with to other professionals to find
  best way to conserve or restore natural
  resources.

4
Communication Skills

• Mediation and Negotiation.
• Team Building.
• Technical Writing.
• Project and Draft Presentation.
• Dispute Resolution.

5
Communication Skills

• Cliental Meetings.
• Communication with peers, supervisors, or
  subordinates.
• Communication with people from outside of the
  organization.
• Work with the public.
• Establish and maintain relationships.

6
Interpersonal Relationships

• High level of social contact.
• Working closely with clients, experts, and office
  staff.
• Often work as a group or as a part of a team.
• Communicate by phone, letters, memos, and in
  person on a daily basis.
• Are moderately responsible for the results of
  work done by others.

7
Technical Skills

• Architectural construction methods.
• Preservation and compliance.
• Working knowledge of landscape preservation
  materials and processes.
• Basic construction cost estimating.

8
Technical Skills

• Construction management.
• Codes.
• Reading, writing, and interpretation of
  specifications.
• Technical reporting.
• Sustainable practices.

9
Work Activities

• Observe and gather information about the site,
  such as lighting, water flow, and surrounding
  buildings.
• Create the design, considering how the area will
  be used.
• Discuss project with architects, engineers, and
  environmental scientists.
• Use Computer Aided Design (CAD) for many stages
  of design and drawing.
• Use Geographic Information System (GIS) on larger
  jobs to gather information.

10
Work Activities

• Present drafts to clients and get feedback.
• Submit plans to government agencies for approval.
• Prepare final proposal, including cost estimate,
  site plans, or models.
• Outline in detail the methods of construction and
  draw up a list of needed materials.
• May supervise planting and construction.

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Common Tasks

• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Think creatively.
• Provide information about devices, equipment, or
  structures.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Schedule work and activities.

12
Common Tasks

• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
• Evaluate information against standards.
• Update and use job-related of others.
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people.
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.

13
Physical Working Conditions

• Work both indoors and outdoors.
• May on occasion be exposed to hot temperatures.
• May be exposed to hazardous equipment.
• May on occasion be exposed to hazardous
  situations.

14
Physical Demands

• Sit for a long periods of time.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are either less or
  more than a few feet away.
• Determine the distance between colors, shades,
  and brightness.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine
  controls.
• Focus on one source and ignore others.

15
Work Performance

• Must be exact in their work.
• Make decisions that affect workers and clients on
  a daily basis.
• Work in a highly competitive environment.
• Almost always set their daily tasks and
  priorities without consulting a supervisor first.
• Abide by strict daily deadlines.
• Work is always on display to the public, and can
  affect their companys reputation.
• Many rely on reputation and word of mouth to
  attract new clients.

16
Hours and Travel

• Usually work regular hours during the off season.
• May work overtime during the warm season to meet
  project deadlines.
• May work evenings of weekends to meet with
  clients.
• Often travel to work sites in a company car, van,
  of truck.
• May travel to sites outside the local area.

17
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Possession of at a minimum a bachelors degree or
  equivalent qualifying experience.
• Experience in civil, electrical, mechanical,
  architectural engineering, architecture or
  landscape architecture.
• Ability to hold and maintain a valid state
  drivers license in required categories necessary
  to operate government vehicles and equipment
  assigned.
• Ability to apply basic professional knowledge to
  design of entry level complexity and construction
  management.

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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to perform on-site design services,
  interpret drawings, specs, codes, standards, and
  regulatory requirements.
• Ability to review project work performed by other
  engineers.
• Knowledge of special requirements of the contract
  as safety, EEO, labor standards park rules and
  regulations to ensure contractor compliance.

19
Leadership and Management Skills

• Program and budget formulation.
• Project management.
• Creative problem solving.

20
Employment Opportunities

• Landscape architects held about 25,000 jobs in
  2004.
• 6 out of 10 workers were employed in firms that
  provide architectural, landscape architectural,
  engineering, and landscaping services.
• State and local governments were the next largest
  employers.
• About 1 out of 4 landscape architects was
  self-employed.

21
Employment Opportunities

• Employment of landscape architects is
  concentrated in urban and suburban areas.
• Most landscape architects work in suburban areas.
• Few landscape architects work in rural areas.
• The Federal Government employees landscape
  architects to plan and design parks and
  recreation areas.

22
Job Outlook

• Employment is expected to increase faster than
  average through the year 2014.
• The need to replace architects who retire or
  leave the labor force will produce additional
  jobs.
• Employment will grow because of the expertise of
  landscape architects.
• The development of new residential, commercial,
  and other types of construction to meet the needs
  of a growing population will continue to produce
  in this field.

23
Earnings

• Median annual earnings are 53,120.
• The middle 50 percent earned between 40,930 and
  70,400.
• The lowest 10 percent earned less then 32,390.
• The highest 10 percent earned over 90,850.
• The average annual salary for all landscape
  architects in the Federal Government in
  non-supervisory, supervisory, and managerial
  positions was 74,508.

24
Related Occupations

• Architects.
• Surveyors.
• Cartographers.
• Surveying Technicians.
• Civil Engineers.
• Urban and Regional Planners.

25
Final Thoughts

• Everyone enjoys attractively designed
  residential areas, public parks, playgrounds,
  college campuses, shopping centers, golf courses,
  parkways, and industrial areas. As a landscape
  architects, you will help to design areas so they
  are not just functional, but also beautiful, and
  compatible with the natural environment.

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Credits

• Produced By Hendrix Bradford
• Created By Hendrix Bradford
• Executive Producer Hendrix Bradford
• Project Advisor John D. Story
• Project Advisor Dianne Phillips