Landscape Designer

Landscape designers work as Landscape Architects, Landscape and Horticulture Technicians and Specialists and/or Supervisors, Landscape and Horticulture. They conceptualize landscape designs, develop contract documents and oversee the construction of landscape development for commercial projects, office complexes, parks, golf courses and residential developments.

They are mostly employed by government, environmental and development agencies, landscape consulting firms and by architectural and engineering firms, or they are self-employed (the majority actually prefer to work outdoors and independently, on contract, preferring the flexibility and working for themselves more than anything).

Growing demand for incorporating natural elements into human-made environments, along with the need to meet a wide array of environmental restrictions, will increase the demand for landscape architects fuel this market.

Landscape architects, with passion and vision, no matter how far in their career, what their level(s) of skills and expertise, across generational and gender boundaries, working for themselves, on contract, (part-time, seasonal, fulltime), consulting and/or within a specialist firm, may all choose and enjoy to perform some or all of the following duties:

• Confer with clients to determine design needs
• Survey and assess designated sites and develop designs taking into consideration landscape features, buildings, climate, future usage and other aspects
• Prepare or oversee the preparation of detailed drawings for sites, including features such as trees, shrubs, gardens, lighting, walkways, patios, decks, benches, fences, retaining walls and fountains
• Prepare or oversee preparation of site plans, reports, sketches, models, photographs, maps, land use studies and design plans
• Estimate costs, prepare specifications and evaluate tenders for landscape construction projects
• Conduct environmental design studies, including environmental assessment, planning and the preservation and re-creation of historical sites
• Conduct community and neighborhood physical planning studies, participate in multidisciplinary urban design studies and prepare design guidelines
• May manage and supervise landscape construction work.

With increasing interest in environmental, architectural and landscaping for beautification, designed functional, hybrid living/working spaces, increased demand is anticipated for proven and reputable experts, who know their soil, plants, processes, technology, systems and project capacity and capabilities.

Building a portfolio, reputation and recognizable style/elements, gradually over time is the accepted practice, (not much different from other design/architectural disciplines. An ability to conceptualize designs, while balancing the needs of people with the limitations of the environment, focusing on sustainable development and energy-efficient, `greener' alternatives, will keep new and innovative positions and career challenges, exciting in this field, for years to come.

Some occupational experts also recommend that you initially get at least some practical, hands-on, experience as a landscaping laborer, so you can get familiar with materials, plants, and processes. Pursuing, entering and/or building a career as a certified landscape architect, you might decide to specialize in an area such as regional landscape planning, parks and recreation, ecological planning, heritage conservation, or landscape reclamation and restoration.

Any sites offering advice and/or posting of/for environmental careers, nursery landscape associations, societies of landscape architects, can prove helpful.

You can also choose to freelance or open your own firm. It lends itself to optimal flexibility and independent work. Others prefer to work for an existing, reputable company, in which case you can work your way up the ladder. You may decide to work throughout the world, or stick with a specific geographic location. There are many possibilities.

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

government agencies
environmental agencies
development agencies
landscape consulting firms
architectural and engineering firms
self-employed

Your base is your studio, but you will also spend a good deal of time on site (yup, that's outside), analyzing the site for your design and later, observing the progress of the construction. You will work to deadlines and will have to co- ordinate your timelines with architects or engineers. You will likely be required to work overtime (evenings and weekends) to meet project deadlines.

Also Known As....

Landscape architect
Landscape planner

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environment Industry
  Be sure to click on EnviroCareers, then at the bottom, Enviro-Careers Product. Also definitely explore the Occupational Profiles. A very nice site.

• Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
  Links to provincial associations and providers of plants and other horticultural supplies. "For professionals in the wholesale landscape and nursery fields."

• Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
  The CSLA is the national professional association that represents landscape architects in Canada. The Web site has information on education, events, etc.

• Ontario Association of Landscape Architects
  This association's mission is to promote, improve and advance the profession of Landscape Architecture and maintain standards of professional practice and conduct.The Web site has lots of good information about the work of landscape architects.

• Skills Work
  An Ontario site dedicated to promoting the skilled trades and technologies as viable first-choice career options for young people.

A bachelor's degree in landscape architecture is required. A master's degree in landscape architecture may be required. Some landscape architects require a two-year internship and the successful completion of a provincial registration exam, association certification.

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