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Landscape Architects

(D.O.T.  001.061-018)

Nature of the Work

Everyone enjoys attractively designed residential areas, public
parks, college campuses, shopping centers, golf courses, parkways,
and industrial parks.  Landscape architects design these areas so
that they are not only functional but beautiful and compatible with
the natural environment as well.  They may plan the location of
buildings, roads, and walkways and the arrangement of flowers,
shrubs, and trees.  They also may redesign streets to limit
automobile traffic and to improve pedestrian access and safety.
Natural resource conservation and historic preservation are other
important objectives to which landscape architects may apply their
knowledge of the environment as well as their design and artistic
talents.

   Landscape architects are hired by many types of organizations from
real estate development firms starting new projects to
municipalities constructing airports or parks.  They are often
involved with the development of a site from its conception.
Working with architects and engineers, they help determine the best
arrangement of roads and buildings.  Once these decisions are made,
landscape architects create detailed plans indicating new
topography, vegetation, walkways, and landscape amenities.

   In planning a site, landscape architects first consider the nature
and purpose of the project and the funds available.  They analyze
the natural elements of the site, such as the climate, soil, slope
of the land, drainage, and vegetation.  They observe where sunlight
falls on the site at different times of the day and examine the site
from various angles.  They assess the effect of existing buildings,
roads, walkways, and utilities on the project.

   After studying and analyzing the site, they prepare a preliminary
design.  To account for the needs of the client as well as the
conditions at the site, they may have to make many changes before a
final design is approved.  An increasing number of landscape
architects are using computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist
them in preparing their designs.  Many landscape architects are also
using video simulation as a tool to help clients envision the
landscape architects' ideas.

   Throughout all phases of the design, landscape architects consult
with other professionals involved in the project.  Once the design
is complete, they prepare a proposal for the client.  They draw up
detailed plans of the site, including written reports, sketches,
models, photographs, land-use studies, and cost estimates, and
submit them for approval by the client and by regulatory agencies.
If the plans are approved, landscape architects prepare working
drawings showing all existing and proposed features.  They also
outline in detail the methods of construction and draw up a list of
necessary materials.

   Although many landscape architects supervise the installation of
their design, some are involved in the construction of the site.
However, this usually is done by the developer or contractor.

   Some landscape architects work on a wide variety of projects.
Others specialize in a particular area, such as residential
development, historic landscape restoration, waterfront improvement
projects, parks and playgrounds, or shopping centers.  Still others
work in regional planning and resource management; feasibility,
environmental impact, and cost studies; or site construction.  Some
landscape architects teach at the college or university level.

   Although most landscape architects do at least some residential
work, relatively few limit their practice to landscape design for
individual homeowners because most residential landscape design
projects are too small to provide suitable income compared with
larger commercial or multiunit residential projects.  Some nurseries
offer residential landscape design services, but these services
often are performed by lesser qualified landscape designers or
others with training and experience in related areas.

   Landscape architects who work for government agencies do similar
work at national parks, government buildings, and other
government-owned facilities.  In addition, they may prepare
environmental impact statements and studies on environmental issues
such as public land-use planning.

   A landscape architect prepares final working drawings after a design
is approved.

Working Conditions

Landscape architects spend most of their time in offices creating
plans and designs, preparing models and cost estimates, doing
research, or attending meetings.  The remainder of their time is
spent at the site.  Before the project is actually begun, landscape
architects analyze the site.  During the design and planning stage,
they may visit the site to verify that the design can be
incorporated into the landscape.  After the plans and specifications
are completed, they spend time at the site observing or supervising
the construction.  Those who work in large firms may spend
considerably more time out of the office because of travel to sites
outside the local area.

   Salaried employees in both government and landscape architectural
firms usually work regular hours, although they may work overtime to
meet a project deadline.  Hours of self-employed landscape
architects may vary.

Employment

Landscape architects held about 19,000 jobs in 1992.  Three-fifths
worked for firms that provide landscape architecture services.  Most
of the rest were employed by architectural firms.  The Federal
Government also employs these workers; most were found in the U.S.
Departments of Agriculture, Defense, and the Interior.  About 1 of
every 6 landscape architects was self-employed.

   Most employment for landscape architects is concentrated in urban
and suburban areas in all parts of the country.  Some landscape
architects work in rural areas, particularly those in the Federal
Government who plan and design parks and recreation areas.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

A bachelor's or master's degree in landscape architecture is usually
necessary for entry into the profession.  The bachelor's degree in
landscape architecture takes 4 or 5 years to complete.  There are
two types of master's degree programs.  The master's degree as a
first professional degree is a 3-year program designed for students
with an undergraduate degree in another discipline; this is the most
common type.  The master's degree as the second professional degree
is a 2-year program for students who have a bachelor's degree in
landscape architecture and wish to demonstrate mastery or specialize
in some aspect of landscape architecture.

   In 1992, approximately 50 colleges and universities offered 65
undergraduate and graduate programs in landscape architecture that
were accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of
the American Society of Landscape Architects.

   College courses required in this field usually include technical
subjects such as surveying, landscape design and construction,
landscape ecology, structural design, and city and regional
planning.  Other courses include history of landscape architecture,
plant and soil science, geology, design and color theory, and
general management.  In addition, most students at the undergraduate
level take a year of prerequisite courses such as English,
mathematics, and social and physical science.  The design studio is
an important aspect of many landscape architecture curriculums.
Whenever possible, students are assigned real projects to work on,
providing them with valuable hands-on experience.  While working on
real projects, students may become more proficient in the use of
technologies such as computer-aided design, geographic information
systems, and video simulation.

   Forty-four States require landscape architects to be licensed.
Licensing is based on the Landscape Architect Registration
Examination (L.A.R.E.), sponsored by the Council of Landscape
Architectural Registration Boards.  Admission to the exam usually
requires a degree from an accredited school plus 1 to 4 years of
work experience, although standards vary from State to State.
Nineteen States require additional examinations focusing on laws
and/or plant materials indigenous to their State.

   Because States' requirements for licensure are not uniform,
landscape architects may not find it easy to transfer their
registration to another State to practice.  However, those who meet
the national standard of graduating from an accredited program,
serving 3 years of internship under the supervision of a registered
landscape architect, and passing of the L.A.R.E.  can satisfy
requirements in most States.

   In the Federal Government, candidates for entry positions should
have a bachelor's or master's degree in landscape architecture.  The
Federal Government does not require its landscape architects to be
licensed.

   Persons planning a career in landscape architecture should
appreciate nature and enjoy working with their hands.  Although
creativity and artistic talent are also desirable qualities, they
are not absolutely essential to success as a landscape architect.
High school courses in mechanical or geometric drawing, art, botany,
and mathematics are helpful.  Good oral communication skills are
important, because these workers must be able to convey their ideas
to other professionals and to clients and to make presentations
before large groups.  Those interested in starting their own firm
should be skilled in small business management.

   In States where licensure is required, new hires are technically
called intern landscape architects until they become licensed.
Intern landscape architects' duties vary depending on the type and
size of employing firm.  They may do project research or prepare
base maps of the area to be landscaped, while some are allowed to
participate in the actual design of a project.  However, interns
must perform all work under the supervision of a licensed landscape
architect.  Additionally, all drawings and specifications must be
signed and/or sealed by the licensed landscape architect, who takes
legal responsibility for the work.  After gaining experience and
becoming licensed, landscape architects usually can carry a design
through all stages of development.  After several years, they may
become associates, and eventually they may become partners in a firm
or open their own offices.

Job Outlook

Employment of landscape architects is expected to increase about as
fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005.  The
level of new construction plays an important role in determining
demand for landscape architects.  Anticipated growth in construction
is expected to increase demand for landscape architectural services
over the long run.  An increasing proportion of office and other
commercial and industrial development will occur outside cities.
These projects are typically located on larger sites with more
surrounding land which needs to be designed, in contrast to urban
development, which often includes little or no surrounding land.
Also, as the cost of land increases, the importance of good site
planning and landscape design increases.  Because employment is
linked to new construction, however, landscape architects may face
layoffs and competition for jobs when real estate sales and
construction slow down, such as during a recession.

   Increased development of open space into recreation areas, wildlife
refuges, and parks will also require the skills of landscape
architects.  Continued concern for the environment should stimulate
employment growth because of the need to design development projects
which best fit in with the surrounding environment.

   In addition to the work related to new development and construction,
landscape architects are expected to be involved in historic
preservation, local, city, and regional planning, land reclamation,
and refurbishment of existing sites.

   Although landscape architects are increasingly using computer-aided
design and other technologies, employment is not expected to be
affected because these technologies will be used to create more and
better designs rather than reduce the demand for landscape
architects.

   In addition to new openings due to job growth, nearly as many
openings are expected to result from the need to replace landscape
architects who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons.

Earnings

According to the limited data available, graduates with a bachelor's
degree in landscape architecture started at about $20,400 in 1992;
those with a master's degree started at about $30,600.  Although
salaries for experienced landscape architects vary by location and
experience, the median salary for all landscape architects was about
$41,900 in 1992.  Those who are partners in well-established firms
may earn much more than their salaried employees, but their incomes
may fluctuate with changing business conditions.  In 1993, the
average annual salary for all landscape architects in the Federal
Government in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions
was $46,855.

   Because many landscape architects work for small firms or are
self-employed, benefits tend to be less generous than those of other
workers with similar skills who work for large organizations.  With
the exception of those who are self-employed, however, most
landscape architects receive health insurance, paid vacations, and
sick leave.

Related Occupations

Landscape architects use their knowledge of design, construction,
and land-use planning to develop a landscape project.  Others whose
work requires similar skills are architects, interior designers,
civil engineers, and urban and regional planners.  Landscape
architects also know how to grow and use plants in the landscape.
Botanists, who study plants in general, and horticulturists, who
study ornamental plants as well as fruit, vegetable, greenhouse, and
nursery crops, do similar work.

Sources of Additional Information

   Additional information, including a list of colleges and
universities offering accredited programs in landscape architecture,
is available from:

   American Society of Landscape Architects, 4401 Connecticut Ave.
NW., Washington, DC 20008.

   General information on registration or licensing requirements is
available from:

   Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards, 12700 Fair
Lakes Circle, Suite 110, Fairfax, VA 22033.