Landscape architects are increasingly in demand today, as people are more focused than ever on creating a beautifully designed ecosystem and, most importantly, bringing sustainability into their homes.
Since landscaping has surged so much in popularity lately, you may wonder what being a landscape architect is all about. Are all those years of research, studying, and projects worth the energy? They definitely do! As futuristic yet sustainable and green spaces are the new trend, and possible – we hope so – a lasting one, the need for professionals to harmoniously combine innovation and sustainability has never been greater. Simply put, this might be the future of design, and people with environmental awareness and a creative eye are crucial in this regard.
Landscape architecture has been around since ancient times when it was also a main preoccupation. In ancient Egypt, for example, people used to soften the austere outlines of monuments by using flowering shrubs and tree rows. And let us not forget how enticing the Egyptians found it to relax in landscaped gardens. Well, the same approach has dwelled until today, with the mention that now, the individuals taking care of the design and aesthetics of landscapes are much more than gardeners – they are called landscape architects.
Let us explore the many advantages of being a landscape architect for a clearer picture of this profession.
Design for healthier lives
Health can really be a choice, at least for landscape architects. There is finally a chance to make the world a better place for all living creatures. In this sense, landscape architects follow a set of rules and codes referring to environmental ethics. According to such requirements, this professional’s job is to improve, respect, and restore the vital integrity of the landscape for humans and for animals. Their mission is to design alluring places that are also sustainable enough and friendly to the general public. It might sound a bit far-fetched, but the amount of greenness surrounding your house can greatly influence your health. There is also a study focused on exposure to greenness and mortality having women as subjects. According to it, natural, green areas can alleviate adverse environmental exposure such as extreme heat, noise, and air pollution, diminish stress, and enhance physical activity. Hence, there is a close link between a place’s greenness and the population’s health – the more vegetation, the lower the mortality rate.
Variety of mediums
Many people jump to conclude that being a landscape architect is only limited to picking out plants or talking about plants. However, the truth is that this job means so much that some may find it hard to fathom. The easiest way to understand what a landscape architect really does is to look outside. Almost anything the eye can see – water features, planting, topography, function, melding structure – defines the work of a landscape architect. More than that, such a professional considers not only the appeal of a particular place they design but the pedestrian safety, sustainability, climate change, and environmental psychology (among others), too. Simply put, they work hard to bring value to the planet and foster community cohesion.
In order to do so, landscape architects make use of various mediums, from digital rendering to hand drawing. Moreover, they are present on the work site to ensure the led project is running smoothly. We could say that they are involved at every stage of the project, from the beginning through to the proposal of the planning application and during execution. Landscape architects give valuable advice during all the project phases and an appraisal of site options so that they meet health and safety conditions. It is essential for landscape architects to analyse the area and declare it a suitable and feasible one, as this increases the prospect of the project being granted planning authorisation.
There are also evaluations such as LVIA (Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment) and EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) that oblige the landscape architect to be on the scene and not just in front of a computer. That being said, these experts need to pay close attention not only to environmental safety but also to their safety. We all know a construction site implies a lot of moving objects, heavy materials, noise, and dust, so landscape architects, just like actual workers, have to protect themselves from danger. In case an accident happens because of someone else’s negligence, legal experts from https://www.accidentatworkclaimcare.org.uk suggest that the victim can claim compensation for their losses.
Historic preservation
Some places have historical significance, and this should be taken into account, too, when designing a landscape. It is possible to preserve the roots of a particular place in history and still enhance it, particularly if you are an experienced landscape architect. One of the most important duties of such a specialist is researching thoroughly into the history of the next site they have to design or restore and ensuring they preserve the very essence of it. If there is something to leave behind – and it can be left behind – not a problem, but if it is about a true historical heritage, architects are recommended to keep community culture alive in their designs.
Versatility
Landscape architects are in charge of not only exterior landscapes but also interior landscapes and urban design. Due to the variety of areas they are trained for, they have many employment opportunities and thus choose their career path based on their preferences and inclinations. And for those assuming that design is the only area of expertise of a landscape architect, learn that apart from it, there is also planning, data analytics, research, and management that define the job of such a professional.
Among the many areas a landscape architect can specialise in, we count:
- historic preservation
- interior / exterior landscapes
- educational campuses
- parks and recreation
- commercial design
- therapeutic gardens
- land art
- wildlife reserves
- monuments
As you can see, there is great versatility as regards this profession, so for anyone wishing to become a landscape architect, we can only encourage you.
