Landscape architects often serve as consultants for private-sector clients. In the state of California, a landscape architect license legally permits landscape architects to perform certain skilled tasks for their clients.
While there is some professional overlap with related professions, landscape architects exclusively provide most of these services. Landscape architects focus on developing and preserving the land for human use while taking into consideration the cultural, physical, environmental, and biological impact of the project. A landscape architect is a valuable team member on private-sector projects.
Let’s explore the role of a landscape architect working with a private-sector (non-government) client.
Roles Landscape Architects Play In The Design Process With Clients
Landscape architects can assist their clients in several ways during the design and construction process.
Master Planning
Landscape architects are often part of a master plan team. Master planning uses the constraints of the site and budget to develop a long-term program framework that guides development over a period of time. Many larger projects are constructed in phases as market demand and financing permit their construction. A developer can use a master plan to guide the construction and development process while communicating the site’s ultimate vision to potential tenants, purchasers, and financing institutions. Master planning is one skill where landscape architects excel at providing value to their clients.
Site Planning
Site planning involves developing alterative treatment of sites and includes the programming of a site and the physical layout of program elements. Some site planning elements include vehicular circulation, pedestrian circulation, accessible path of travel and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, recreational facilities, residential and commercial areas, resorts, and retail development. Landscape architects work within the site’s capabilities and restraints and the client’s budget to produce the best functional and aesthetically pleasing solution. Site planning is an area of emphasis on the California Supplemental Exam (CSE) and Landscape Architect Registration Exam (LARE).
Design Services
Many landscape architects find design work to be their favorite part of the profession. Landscape architects typically perform detailed site design. The design process starts with a conceptual plan. After the client approves the design concept, the landscape architect team develops the design and produces construction documents for bidding and building. As the project is built by a contractor, the landscape architect performs site observation to make sure that the design is being constructed in accordance with the construction documents and follows the designer’s intent.
The following elements are usually part of a landscape architecture design:
- Grading and Drainage
- Erosion Control Measures
- Paving and Hardscape
- Recreational Facilities
- Small Non-habitable Structures
- Site Furnishings
- Planting
- Fountains and Water Features Irrigation
- Lighting Design
- Signage
These design elements are packaged into a set of construction documents for bidding and construction.
Final Thoughts
While landscape architects perform multiple rolls for their clients, master planning, site planning, and design are three major activities that clients rely on the experience and expertise of the landscape architect. This is also why the state of California requires landscape architects to be licensed. Unlicensed professionals who cannot demonstrate the minimum competence to practice in the state may potentially harm the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
All of these practices mentioned above are on the California Supplemental exam for landscape architects.
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John is a landscape architect who is currently preparing to take the California Supplemental Exam to become licensed in California. He is currently a licensed professional landscape architect in Georgia and Florida. John graduated from California State University, Pomona with a BSLA degree in landscape architecture in 1997 and has extensive practice experience in residential and commercial landscape design.