Any landscape architects??

Question

I am considering to pursue a career in landscape architecture and was wondering if there are any landscape architects on here that could answer a couple questions for me:

- What are the pros and cons of having this as a career?

- What did you have to study in school and how long did it take you?

- Was it hard to find a place of employment after you were done with schooling?

- Does your work schedule interfere with raising your family/what are the typical hours that you work?

- What are the typical tasks that you perform on a daily basis?

Thank you for answering any questions I have!!

Answer 1

The big cons are that you spend so much time on the building aspect that you don't get much time for the plants.  LA's do wonders with soil erosion, hillsides, and landscape structures but the plant design, my favorite part, becomes an afterthought.

LA's are also in a very competitive field.  They often get into bidding wars over projects and ultimately have to cut profits to get the job or loose to the lowest bidder.  Many LA's make a good living, it's just not as lucrative as it was 10 or 20 years ago.

Answer 2

1. A landscape Architect [LA] is the highest professional in the garden/horticulture arena. You can serve in private business as well as public service, like in Washington, DC. I had an offer there, but I took another. A LA works well with large architectural firms, designing the grounds, hardscapes, and outbuildings like shelters, pond side structures [docks, shelters] , etc.

2. LA study is rather liberal with large doses of horticulture, year-round design principles, and intelligent selections. Knowing diseases helps in the selection and maintenance function.

3. Typical tasks: study of architectural site plans, drainage reqts, field survey, photo survey, study of surroundings, prelim. sketches and renderings, plan of landscape, hardscape [paths and pavements, structures], lighting, water features, signage, benches and groupings. The scale of commercial work demands large sweeping landscapes and some detail near the entrances. The ldeal landscape is welcoming of pedestrians who want to sit and talk, and enjoy the outdoors. It also provides visual respite for individuals inside the bldgs.