Graphic of a woman working on a design on a drafting table she's sitting in front of.

Landscape Architect

Job Sector

Architecture, Trades and Construction

Potential Salary (USD)

Low End: $35,000.00 /yr
Avg/Med: $70,000.00 /yr
High End: $120,000.00 /yr

Education Required

  • Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Job Outlook

The demand for Landscape Architects is expected to grow as the need for sustainable urban development and green spaces increases.

Career Profile Overview

Landscape Architects design outdoor spaces that are functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing. They work on a variety of projects, including parks, gardens, residential areas, campuses, commercial centers, and public spaces. Their work involves planning the arrangement of plants, landforms, water features, and structures to create environments that enhance the natural surroundings and meet the needs of the community.

A small park lake is surrounded by trees with a cityscape rising above the trees, just beyond the lake.
Looking over the shoulder of an architect using a template to add detail to a schematic.
A tree-lined pathway curves to the right. Benches intermittently line the right side and the hill side drops down on the left of the path.

Key Responsibilities

Site Analysis and Planning

  • Assess the physical and environmental characteristics of a site, such as soil quality, drainage, vegetation, and climate, to determine the best design approach.

Design and Visualization

  • Develop design concepts and create detailed plans and drawings that illustrate the layout of landscape features, including plantings, pathways, water elements, and structures.

Sustainable Design Practices

  • Incorporate sustainable practices into designs, such as using native plants, designing for water conservation, and integrating renewable energy sources.

Project Management

  • Oversee the construction and implementation of landscape designs, working with contractors, horticulturists, and other professionals to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

Environmental Impact Assessments

  • Evaluate the potential environmental impacts of landscape projects and develop strategies to minimize negative effects on the ecosystem.

Client and Stakeholder Collaboration

  • Work closely with clients, architects, engineers, urban planners, and government officials to ensure that the landscape design meets the needs and expectations of all stakeholders.

Maintenance Planning

  • Develop long-term maintenance plans to ensure that the landscape remains healthy and functional over time.

Educational Path

High School

  • Basic understanding of mathematics, science (biology and ecosystems), art and design is important for this role.

Postsecondary

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture (BLA)

Advanced Degrees

  • Master’s in Landscape Architecture (MLA)

Certifications

  • Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) Certification
  • Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE)

Entry-Level

Junior Landscape Architect

  • Assists in the preparation of design drawings, presentations, and technical documentation under the guidance of senior landscape architects.

Landscape Designer

  • Develops design concepts, sketches, and detailed plans for various outdoor spaces, often focusing on aesthetic and functional elements.

CAD Technician

  • Creates and modifies computer-aided design (CAD) drawings for landscape projects, translating design concepts into technical plans.

Mid-Level

Landscape Architect

  • Designs and plans outdoor spaces, including parks, campuses, residential areas, and public spaces, considering environmental, social, and aesthetic factors.

Urban Planner

  • Contributes to the planning and design of urban areas, integrating landscape principles into city development, zoning, and land use policies.

Environmental Consultant

  • Provides expert advice on environmental impact assessments, remediation strategies, and sustainable landscape practices for various projects.

Senior-Level

Senior Landscape Architect

  • Leads complex landscape architecture projects, manages design teams, and provides strategic direction and oversight for significant developments.

Director of Landscape Architecture

  • Oversees and manages all landscape architecture operations within a firm or organization, setting design standards and business strategies.

Landscape Architecture Professor

  • Teaches university-level courses in landscape architecture, conducts research in the field, and mentors students in academic programs.

Skills and Qualities

Space Design

  • Ability to envision and design outdoor spaces that are both functional and beautiful, considering the aesthetic, ecological, and practical aspects of the environment.

3D Modelling

  • Strong skills in using design software (such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and GIS) to create detailed plans and visualizations.

Sustainable Design

  • Understanding of sustainable design principles, including water management, soil health, and native plant use.

Project Management

  • Ability to manage multiple aspects of a project, from initial design to final construction, ensuring that all elements are executed according to plan.

Communication

  • Excellent communication skills for collaborating with clients, stakeholders, and team members, as well as for presenting design concepts and plans.

Problem Solving

  • Ability to address challenges that arise during the design and construction process, such as site constraints or environmental concerns.

United States

Harvard University | Massachusetts

University of California | California

University of Florida | Florida

Canada

University of British Columbia | British Columbia

University of Guelph | Ontario

Université de Montréal | Quebec

Reanna Merasty

Career Profile In Partnership with Connected North

The Future Pathways Fireside Chats feature Indigenous Role Models speaking about their careers and learning journeys.

Future Pathways Fireside Chats
Learn More

Background

Reanna is a Master’s student in Architecture at the University of Manitoba and holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Design. She also works as a designer at Brook McIlroy in their Indigenous design studio and as a research assistant on several housing projects.

Reanna is from Barren Lands First Nation, and grew up in Brandon, Manitoba.

Inspired to Pursue Architecture

Reanna was motivated to explore architecture as a young girl, helping her grandfather prepare and build log houses in her community.

In her work as an architect, she is motivated to challenge conventional colonial designs. Both her work and her studies are guided by questions such as:

How do we start to redesign how we approach sustainability in architecture?

Reanna’s work is influenced by living things around us, and celebrates the plants, animals, and land in the space it is constructed.

Advice to Young People

When considering her journey in post-secondary education, Reanna advises young people to have the courage to speak about their feelings and to utilize every resource available to them.

Reanna also recommends supporting mental health through physical activity and the outdoors.

Source

Future Pathways: Reanna Merasty Fireside Chat

Student Publications: Reanna Merasty

University of Manitoba: Graduate Architecture Programs

Brook McIlroy: Projects

A pathway leads to the right. Directly ahead is a line of trees and three skyscrapers rise behind the trees
Top down view of a schematic for a designed backyard.
A modern sun shade structure covers a path in a park.

Resources and Further Reading

  • American Society of Landscape Architects: ASLA
  • Landscape Architecture Foundation: LAF