Landscape architect

A landscape architect is a person who is educated and trained in the field of landscape architecture.

According to the International Federation of Landscape Architects, which draws on International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO/08), the profession is defined as follows the profession of landscape architect is^[1]:

"Landscape Architects plan, design and manage natural and built environments, applying aesthetic and scientific principles to address ecological sustainability, quality and health of landscapes, collective memory, heritage and culture, and territorial justice."

Other definitions emphasise the technical and regulatory aspects of practice. For example, landscape architecture may include site analysis and inventory, land and site planning, planting design, grading and earthworks, stormwater management, sustainable design, construction specification, and ensuring compliance with building codes, planning policy, and environmental regulation.^[2]

The origins and practice of landscape architecture dates to some of the earliest of human cultures and just as much as the practice of medicine has been inimical to the species and ubiquitous worldwide for several millennia. The word landscape itself entered English in the late 16th century, derived from the Dutch landschap ^[3] and the word architect from the Latin architectus, which derives from the Greek (arkhi-, chief + tekton, builder), i.e., chief builder.

However, this article examines the modern profession and educational discipline of those practicing the design of landscape architecture.

In the 1700s, Humphry Repton described his occupation as "landscape gardener" on business cards he had prepared to represent him in work that now would be described as that of a landscape architect.

The title, "landscape architect", was first used by Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of New York City's Central Park in Manhattan and numerous projects of large scale both public and private. He was the founder of a firm of landscape architects who employed highly skilled professionals to design and execute aspects of projects designed under his auspices.

Depending on the jurisdiction, landscape architects may be required to obtain professional registration, licensure, or certification to practice. The titles, post-nominal letters, and requirements vary internationally. For example, practitioners may become Chartered Members of the Landscape Institute (CMLI)^[4] in the United Kingdom, Registered Landscape Architects (RLA) or Professional Landscape Architects (PLA) in the United States^[5], or hold equivalent status through professional associations and statutory boards in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. In most cases, registration requires completion of an accredited degree, supervised professional experience, and passing an examination, granting the right to practice independently and use the protected professional title.

Main article: List of professional landscape architecture organisations

The International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) is an organisation which represents the landscape architectural profession globally. It aims to provide leadership and networks to support the development of the profession and its effective participation in the realisation of attractive, equitable and sustainable environments. IFLA currently represents 80 member associations from Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Europe. The Federation's mission is to create globally sustainable and balanced living environments for the benefit of humanity worldwide.^[6]

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The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) states that "Landscape Architects research, plan, design, and advise on the stewardship, conservation, and sustainability of development of the environment and spaces, both within and beyond the built environment".^[7] This definition of the profession of landscape architect is based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations, International Labour Office,^[8] Geneva.

Some notable Australian landscape architects include Catherin Bull,^[9][10] Kevin Taylor,^[11] Richard Weller, Peter Spooner,^[12] Sydney based writer and designer (Doris) Jocelyn Brown,^[13] Grace Fraser,^[14] Bruce Mackenzie,^[15][16] Mary Jeavons,^[17] Janet Conrad,^[18] Dr Jim Sinatra,^[19] William Guilfoyle, Ina Higgins, Edna Walling, and Ellis Stones.

To become a recognised professional landscape architect in Australia, the first requirement is to obtain a degree in landscape architecture accredited by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. After at least two years of recognised professional practice, graduates may submit for further assessment to obtain full professional recognition by AILA.

The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) is the country's professional association of landscape architects.^[20] Some notable Canadian landscape architects include Cornelia Oberlander,^[21] Claude Cormier,^[22] Peter Jacobs, Janet Rosenberg,^[23] Marc Ryan, and Michael Hough.^[24]

The Irish Landscape Institute (ILI), Irish: Institiúid Tírdhreacha na hÉireann, is the professional body for landscape architects and related disciplines in Ireland. Established in 1992^[25]. It represents over 300 members across public and private sectors. It is affiliated with international organisations including the European Foundation for Landscape Architecture and the International Federation of Landscape Architects. Notable Landscape Architects are Mary Reynolds (landscape designer) and Robert Carson^[26].

The New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA), also known by its Māori name Tuia Pito Ora, is the professional body for landscape architects in New Zealand, established in 1972^[27]. As of 2021, it has 1,130 members including students^[28]. Notable Landscape Architects Jacky Bowring, James Beard (architect), Rachel de Lambert, Di Lucas, Anna Plischke, Diane Menzies, Harry Turbott, Mary Watt, and Megan Wraight.

The Landscape Institute, founded in 1929^[29], is the recognised body relating to the field of Landscape Architecture throughout the United Kingdom. To become a recognised landscape architect in the UK takes approximately seven years. To begin the process, one has to study an accredited course by the Landscape Institute to obtain a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture or a similar field. Following this one must progress onto a postgraduate diploma in the field of landscape architecture covering the subject in far greater detail such as mass urban planning, construction, and planting. Following this, the trainee must complete the Pathway to Chartership,^[30] a challenging program set out by the Landscape Institute. Following this, one is awarded a full landscape architect title and membership among the Chartered Members of the Landscape Institute (CMLI). Other membership also includes Fellow of the Landscape Institute (FLI) is the highest form of membership awarded to its innovators, leaders and ambassadors^[31]. Notable British Landscape Architects include Humphry Reptons, Capability Brown, Geoffrey Jellicoe, Sylvia Crowe, Gertrude Jekyll, Brenda Colvin, Thomas Hayton Mawson, Hal Moggridge, Ian McHarg, Arabella Lennox-Boyd, Tom Stuart-Smith, Johanna Gibbons, Kathryn Moore, Nigel Dunnett, Andrew Grant and James Corner.

The United States is the founding country of the formal profession entitled landscape architecture. Those in this field work both to create an aesthetically pleasing setting and also to protect and preserve the environment in an area. In the U.S., a need to formalize the practice and a name for the profession was resolved in 1899 with the formation of the American Society of Landscape Architects. A few of the many talented and influential landscape architects who have been based in the United States are: Frederick Law Olmsted, Beatrix Farrand, Jens Jensen, Ian McHarg, Thomas Church, Arthur Shurtleff, Ellen Biddle Shipman John Nolen, Lawrence Halprin, Charles Edgar Dickinson, Iris Miller, and Robert Royston.

Landscape architects who pass state requirements to become registered, licensed, or certified may be entitled to use the postnominal letters corresponding to their seal, typically RLA (Registered Landscape Architect) or more recently, PLA (Professional Landscape Architect) n.^[32] In the US, all 50 states have adopted licensure.^[5] The American Society of Landscape Architects endorses the postnominal letters PLA, for Professional Landscape Architect, even though there is no legal or professional distinction between the use of RLA or PLA.^[33]

Royston summed up one American theme:

Landscape architecture practices the fine art of relating the structure of culture to the nature of landscape, to the end that people can use it, enjoy it, and preserve it.

The following is an outline of the typical scope of service for a landscape architect:^[34]

1. Developing new or improved theories, policy, and methods for landscape planning, design, and management at local, regional, national, and multinational levels
2. Developing policies and plans and implementing and monitoring proposals for conservation and recreation areas such as national parks
3. Developing new or improved theories and methods to promote environmental awareness and undertaking planning, design, restoration, management, and maintenance of cultural and historic landscapes, parks, sites, and gardens.
4. Planning, design, management, maintenance, and monitoring functional and aesthetic layouts of built environment in urban, suburban, and rural areas including private and public open spaces, parks, gardens, streetscapes, plazas, housing developments, burial grounds, memorials; tourist, commercial, industrial and educational complexes; sports grounds, zoos, botanic gardens, recreation areas, and farms
5. Contributing to the planning, aesthetic and functional design, location, management, and maintenance of infrastructure such as roads, dams, wind farms, and other energy and major development projects
6. Undertaking landscape assessments including environmental and visual impact assessments to prepare policies or inform new developments
7. Inspecting sites, analyzing factors such as climate, soil, flora, fauna, surface and subsurface water and drainage; and consulting with clients and making recommendations regarding methods of work and sequences of operations for projects related to the landscape and built environment
8. Identifying and developing appropriate solutions regarding the quality and use of the built environment in urban, suburban, and rural areas and making designs, plans, and working drawings, specifications of work, cost estimates, and time schedules
9. Monitoring the realisation and inspecting the construction of proposals to ensure compliance with plans, specifications of work, cost estimates, and time schedules
10. Conducting research, preparing scientific papers, and technical reports, developing policy, teaching, and advising on aspects regarding landscape architecture such as the application of geographic information systems, remote sensing, law, landscape communication, interpretation, and landscape ecology
11. Project management of large scale landscape planning and design projects including management of other consultants such as engineers, architects, and planners
12. Acting as an expert witness in development and environment courts

• What is Landscape Architecture American Society of Landscape Architects profiles landscape architecture
• Exploring Landscape Architecture Interviews with Australian landscape architects discussing their work
• AILA Celebrates 50 Years. History of landscape architecture in Australia
• Kerb 15. Landscape Urbanism. Launched by Charles Waldheim, April 2007. Content includes articles and interviews from Charles Waldheim, Mohsen Mostafavi, Alejandro Zaera-Polo (FOA), Kathryn Gustafson, Bart Brands, and Richard Weller

• Landscaping
• Landscape contracting
• Landscape design
  • Landscape design software
• List of landscape architects
• List of professional landscape architecture organisations

Media related to Landscape architects at Wikimedia Commons

• Job Description at the U.S. Department of Labor