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Landscape Architecture is an Industry That is Growing By Leaps And Bounds

Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor spaces in order to achieve an aesthetic environment. If you enjoy designing outdoor areas and have an eye for beautifying your surroundings, this might be the ideal profession for you.

As a landscape architect, you would take an outdoor space, and taking into consideration the topography and existing layout, remodel that space into something beautiful and functional. You might even be the person who decides where buildings would go. Or, you may design around existing buildings. You'll plan where to put trees, flowers, walkways, gardens, lighting, and waterways. You may be the one to select which varieties of flowers, trees and plants you get to use and what types of materials are used for walkways and other structures. You'll make sketches of the area and draw up plans for your designs. You'll write expense reports and budgets. You'll make lists of the materials needed and will consult with construction workers and engineers. You may even assist with some of the work, depending on the size of the project.

The projects you'll work on are varied. You may design playgrounds, parks, hotel grounds, historical grounds, subdivisions, or even someone's backyard. There are all kinds of opportunities for landscape architects. Even the medians between many city streets are designed by landscape architects.

The work of a landscape architect often makes a huge difference in the value of a piece of property. It's for certain their work makes a big difference in the look and beauty of an environment. It's work that is always fulfilling. Most landscape architects say they really enjoy their professions. Most enjoy working outdoors and love nature.

In addition to a love of beauty and a talent for improving surroundings, a landscape architect must also have good communication skills. You must be able to convey your ideas to others; it helps if you have a talent for sketching or drawing but many landscape architects use computer software programs in order to show their plans for a project. Computer skills are a must for any landscape architect. Those who are self-employed also need good marketing skills.

Landscape architects have one of the highest self-employment rates of most professions. In fact, about 21% of all landscape architects are self-employed. Those who work for companies make an average of $65,000 to $70,000 a year. In order to be a landscape architect, you must be licensed. This requires passing a test and most companies also require that you have a bachelor's degree in order to be considered for employment.

This is a profession that is expected to grow considerably in the future. As we become more concerned over environmental issues, it's natural that we also want cleaner and prettier surroundings. Beautifying the environment is the landscape architect's specialty, so it's expected that this is a profession that will be in high demand in the next few years.

Indoor/Outdoor Landscape Architect Resources

*Color Drawing: Design Drawing Skills and Techniques for Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers
*Planting Design Illustrated
*Lake|Flato: Buildings & Landscapes (v. 2)
*The New Urbanism: Toward an Architecture of Community

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