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Landscape Architects

Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.

What you’d do

  • Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
  • Analyze data on conditions such as site location, drainage, or structure location for environmental reports or landscaping plans.
  • Inspect landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, evaluate quality of materials or work, or advise clients or construction personnel.
  • Prepare site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development.
  • Integrate existing land features or landscaping into designs.
  • Collaborate with architects or related professionals on whole building design to maximize the aesthetic features of structures or surrounding land and to improve energy efficiency.
  • Prepare graphic representations or drawings of proposed plans or designs.
  • Inspect proposed sites to identify structural elements of land areas or other important site information, such as soil condition, existing landscaping, or the proximity of water management facilities.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Coordination

How to get there

Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

Also called

  • Golf Course Architect
  • Landscape Architect
  • Landscape Planner
  • Park Planner
  • AP BD+C (Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction)
  • Land Planner

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