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

Landscape Architect

Job Sector: Energy, Environment, and Utilities

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.

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)
  1. Entry-Level:
    • Junior Landscape Architect: $45,000 – $60,000 annually (USD)
    • Landscape Designer: $40,000 – $55,000 annually (USD)
    • CAD Technician: $35,000 – $50,000 annually (USD)
  2. Mid-Level:
    • Landscape Architect: $60,000 – $80,000 annually (USD)
    • Urban Planner: $65,000 – $85,000 annually (USD)
    • Environmental Consultant: $70,000 – $90,000 annually (USD)
  3. Senior-Level:
    • Senior Landscape Architect: $80,000 – $110,000 annually (USD)
    • Director of Landscape Architecture: $90,000 – $120,000 annually (USD)
    • Landscape Architecture Professor: $75,000 – $100,000 annually (USD)

(Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and specific employer)

  • Ability to envision and design outdoor spaces that are both functional and beautiful, considering the aesthetic, ecological, and practical aspects of the environment.
  • Strong skills in using design software (such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and GIS) to create detailed plans and visualizations.
  • Understanding of sustainable design principles, including water management, soil health, and native plant use.
  • Ability to manage multiple aspects of a project, from initial design to final construction, ensuring that all elements are executed according to plan.
  • Excellent communication skills for collaborating with clients, stakeholders, and team members, as well as for presenting design concepts and plans.
  • Meticulous in developing detailed plans, selecting materials, and overseeing the implementation of designs.
  • Ability to address challenges that arise during the design and construction process, such as site constraints or environmental concerns.

United States:

  1. Harvard University – Graduate School of Design
  2. University of California, Berkeley
  3. University of Florida

Canada:

  1. University of British Columbia
  2. University of Guelph
  3. Université de Montréal

Kate Orff

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Position: Founder of SCAPE and MacArthur Fellow

Contributions: Kate Orff is a landscape architect known for her innovative work in ecological design and climate resilience. She is the founder of SCAPE, a landscape architecture and urban design studio based in New York City that focuses on integrating natural systems into urban environments.

Impact: Led the design of Living Breakwaters, a project in New York designed to protect the coastline from storm surges while also restoring marine ecosystems. Kate Orff’s work exemplifies how landscape architecture can be a powerful tool for climate adaptation and ecological restoration, offering a visionary approach to creating resilient and sustainable environments.

Source: SCAPE

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