I N T RO D U C T I O N : W H AT I S A L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T E C T ?
students with design or planning projects—real or theoretical—to be solved, with the requirements of the projects described in a brief or project statement. Students may work independently in developing their solutions (design proposals) or in small groups with the teacher interacting with individual students by offering advice and giving substantive feedback (suggestions) during a student’s progress. The work of the students is their own, developed through a process of self-discovery, eventually to arrive at a design solution to a large degree satisfying their understanding of what is required and their own creative sensibilities.
Career Opportunities There are several career paths a landscape architecture graduate can take when practicing their chosen profession. These paths include: s s s s
academic public practice or service private practice non-traditional practice.
There are many career paths landscape architects can take that not only include becoming designers of outdoor places but also involve participation with other professionals and scientists in developing management plans for natural resource areas, or developing plans and programs for repairing and restoring damaged environments, such as hillsides mined for gravel and coal, and improving animal habitat. Landscape architects have been involved in coastal restoration and restoration of other ecosystems that are threatened and damaged by natural disasters such as hurricanes. Landscape architects are employed by highway and other public infrastructure departments involved in the planning of route selection and later landscape restoration and enhancement. The list could easily continue but the reader should get the message: the work and skills of landscape architects go far beyond what is contained within garden walls. Urban design is yet another area that finds landscape architects vitally involved. Urban design includes the redesign of street corridors to enhance pedestrian use and safety, as well as establishing attractive and vibrant places for shoppers, workers, and visitors in sections of cities, and the design of plazas, establishing inviting and highly useable public spaces in new developments. The knowledge, skills, and problem-solving processes of a landscape architect are applicable in just about any facet of life, limited only by one’s imagination and passion. The workspace of the firm shown in Figure 1.3 is organized in an open office configuration, where professionals share a large open space not divided into individual, walled-in cubicles. The open office format is popular among design professionals and gives everyone a sense of knowing what is going on, the kinds of projects others are working on, and it also promotes group engagement. In situations where privacy is required to work or meet with clients or other professionals from other firms, private spaces or meeting rooms are provided. 9
