Landscape Architecture as a Profession :: Research

Landscape Architecture as a Profession A landscape architect is an individual who arranges and modifies theeffects of natural scenery over a tract of land so as to produce the best esthetical effect for the lands use. Landscape architecture is the send offprofession which applies artistic, cultural, and scientific knowledge tothe design, blueprintning, and development of the land. Landscape architectsaccept certain responsibilities related to the health and welfare of the unexclusive and are concerned with resource conservation of the land. Thepractice of landscape architecture requires an appreciation andunderstanding of natural and social processes, a creative imagination, anda inscription to preserve or improve the environment for human use andenjoyment. Landscape architects plan the most harmonious relationships between theland and the objects on it by comely combination of open space andplanting, and by wise use of land formation (Concise 151). They may contributeon par ks, gardens, housing projects, school campuses, golf courses, orairports. They begin a project by reviewing the needs and desires of theclient. They study the site, mapping such features as the slope of theland, existing structures and the type of soil. They check local building codes and availability of utilities, make drawings which outlinethe work in detail, and draw up lists of materials to be used. They theninvite bids from construction companies and landscape nursery companies. With the awarding of the contracts, their work may be finished, or theymay stay on to supervise the work as their clients representative (151). A major arm of landscape architecture, golf course architecture,integrates the skills of a landscape architect on a larger scale. The aima golf course architect is to frame a truly great golf course byutilizing to the fullest extent possible the potential of a promisingpiece of land (Golfplan 1). This potential is show in the siteslocation, slope, vegetat ion, water features, soil types, climate andorientation. The role a golf course architect is the realization of thispotential under the constraints of design criteria that separate the trulygreat golf course from the ordinary (1). Landscape architecture, the science and art of modifying land areas byorganizing natural, cultivated, or constructed elements according to anaesthetic plan (Encarta 1). The elements include topographical featuressuch as hills, valleys, rivers, and ponds and growing things such astrees, shrubbery, grass, and flowers and constructions such as buildings,terraces, roads, bridges, fountains, and statuary. No unalterable rulesexist in landscape architecture because each plot of ground offers uniqueproblems caused by variation in contour, climate, and surrounding areas