Profession landscape architect

Landscape architects plan and design landscapes and open spaces for projects such as, parks, schools, institutions, roads, external areas for commercial, industrial and residential sites, and plan and monitor their construction, maintenance and rehabilitation.

Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.

Personality Type

  • Artistic / Investigative

Related professions horticulture, gardening

  • First line supervisor horticultural nursery gardeners
  • Floral arranger
  • Flower binder
  • Garden architect
  • Garden helper
  • Gardener (cemetery)
  • Gardener (public parks)
  • Gardener, all other
  • Greenkeeper sports grounds
  • Groundsman
  • Head groundsman
  • Horticultural grower
  • Horticultural technician
  • Horticultural worker

Knowledge

  • Green space strategies

    The authority’s vision on how to use its green space. This includes the goals it wants to achieve, the resources, methods, legislative framework, and time needed to meet these goals. 

  • Urban planning

    Political and technical process that seeks to design the urban environment and optimize land use by considering various aspects such as infrastructure, water, and green and social spaces.

  • Landscape design

    Understand landscape design and maintenance.

  • Aesthetics

    Set of principles based on which something is appealing and beautiful.

  • Architecture regulations

    The regulations, statutes, and legal agreements existing in the European Union in the field of architecture. 

  • Zoning codes

    The division of land into zones where various uses and activities are allowed, such as residential, agricultural, and industrial activities. These zones are regulated by legislative procedures and local authorities.

  • Landscape architecture

    The principles and practices used in the architecture and design of outdoor areas.

  • Ecology

    The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.

  • Landscape analysis

    The methods of analysis and computation used in the design of outdoor spaces.

Skills

  • Integrate measures in architectural designs

    Integrate measurements, taken at sites or included in the project, into the design and drafting of architectural projects. Integrate considerations such as fire safety, acoustics, and building physics.

  • Manage landscape design projects

    Make preparations for the development of parks, recreation areas and roadside landscaping. Prepare designs, drawings and specifications for such projects and estimate the costs.

  • Provide cost benefit analysis reports

    Prepare, compile and communicate reports with broken down cost analysis on the proposal and budget plans of the company. Analyse the financial or social costs and benefits of a project or investment in advance over a given period of time.

  • Specify landscape design components

    Create design components and materials which are appropriate to site, purpose and expected usage. Recommend plants and materials suitable to the scheme and within budget.

  • Design landscape schemes

    Design landscaping schemes. Ensure the design is consistent with accepted design principles and recommended plants and materials and that it keeps within budget. Represent the design to scale accurately and clearly.

  • Identify customer's needs

    Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.

  • Advise on landscapes

    Give advice on the planning, development and care of new and existing landscapes.

  • Design spatial layout of outdoor areas

    Design the spatial layout and functional and architectural appearance of outdoor areas. Integrate green spaces, social spaces, and regulatory aspects in outdoor design.

  • Develop architectural plans

    Draft a master plan for building sites and landscape plantings. Prepare detailed development plans and specifications in accordance with applicable laws. Analyse private development plans for their accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance with laws.

Optional knowledge and skills

create new landscape designs soil structure communicate with local residents advise on soil and water protection civil engineering characteristics of plants forest conservation horticulture principles assess environmental impact use landscaping service equipment promote sustainability plant species zero-energy building design historic architecture create gis reports energy efficiency landscaping materials operate landscaping equipment liaise with local authorities use geographic information systems coordinate construction activities conduct land surveys provide technical expertise finish project within budget use manual draughting techniques use technical drawing software create thematic maps flower and plant products follow work schedule energy performance of buildings carry out tendering build a product's physical model use cad software

Common job titles

  • Landscape designer/architect
  • Landscape architect
  • Entry level landscape architect
  • Senior integration architect
  • Landscape designer / landscape architect
  • Urban designer ii
  • Civil engineering project manager – park & landscape development