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Who is a Landscape Architect?
I don’t divide architecture, landscape, and gardening; to me, they are one - Luis Barragan
A career as a landscape architect is something that makes us think of people designing, and planning places and making them beautiful. Have you ever wondered who designs the fancy parks and playgrounds in societies? Or do you know who designs a layout for a walkthrough in and around a residential society? Or who puts the trees on the road’s divider? The answer to the above questions is a landscape architect. We have all seen places that could have sufficed if made normally but a landscape architect aims at adding a defining feature to everything they plan to build.
If you are one of those who love the idea of building places with an edge and would enjoy beautifying them while increasing their functionality, then becoming a landscape architect is a wise career choice for you. To be a landscape architect, students need to pursue various landscape architecture degrees, such as B.Arch, B.Plan. after passing 10+2 with a science stream that consists of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Here, we all discuss how to become a landscape architect, landscape architecture jobs, is landscape architecture a good career in India, alternative careers for landscape architects, and the scope of landscaping.
Landscape Architect in a Nutshell
Having a landscape architecture career, you are involved in site analysis, site inventory, land planning, planting design, grading, stormwater management, suitable design, and construction specification. Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park in New York introduced the title “landscape architect”. The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) proclaims that "Landscape Architects research, plan, design and advise on the stewardship, conservation and sustainability of development of the environment and spaces, both within and beyond the built environment". Therefore, individuals who opt for a career as a landscape architect are those who are educated and experienced in landscape architecture. Students need to pursue various landscape architecture degrees, such as M.Des, M.Plan to become landscape architects. If you have more questions regarding a career as a landscape architect or how to become a landscape architect then you can read the article to get your doubts cleared.
Quick Facts for Landscape Architect
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Industry
Construction
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Average Salary in India
₹43500
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
The career as landscape architect is gender neutral. Anyone with interest in automotive design or architecture can choose to become a landscape architect.
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Any special needs
Yes
Career as a landscape architect is not suitable for people with special needs. At certain times, a landscape architect is required to work outdoor with the construction workers to explain the details of the project. Hence, people with special needs can not pursue a landscapist career.
Table of Contents for Landscape Architect
What is the role of Landscape Architect?
One of the common questions about this career is what does a landscape architect do and what landscape architect job description? Landscape architects design open spaces in such a manner that they are not only beautiful to look at but also highly functional. These open spaces try to not only gel well with the environment but also enhance it. Landscape architects also plan the location of office buildings, roads, parks, trees in a neighbourhood. In a career as a landscape architect, you aim to take up projects that complement the beauty of the space while providing environmental benefits. In career as landscape architect, individuals create outdoor spaces that blend well with the environment. They use natural elements such as trees and shrubs to make the surroundings attractive as well as be in harmony with nature. Landscape architects work on small as well as large landscape architecture design projects. They can design outdoors of a house and they can also design the outdoors of a business district. Students need to pursue civil engineering and architecture engineering to become landscape architects.
Site analysis
Having a career as landscpae architect, you perform site analysis by studying the climatic, geographical, historical, legal, and infrastructural context of a particular site. Site analysis is a highlight the most important of architectural and urban design processes devoted to the evaluation of a particular site's surrounding environment, geographic, historical, legal, and infrastructure development context.
Land planning
In a career as a landscape architect, you monitor and supervise the piece of land that has to be used for construction to produce more desirable social and environmental outcomes, it also aims for more efficient use of resources. Land planning is the method of managing property being used in an attempt to facilitate more favourable environmental and social performance, and also enhanced resource efficiency.
Grading
In a career as a landscpae architect, you monitor and supervise the piece of land that has to be used for construction to produce more desirable social and environmental outcomes, it also aims for more efficient use of resources. Land planning is the method of managing property being used in an attempt to facilitate more favourable environmental and social performance, and also enhanced resource efficiency.
Stormwater management
They are also important in reducing the stormwater into streets, lawns and other sites. Stormwater control includes managing the water that drains out. It could be implemented in remote regions although it is extremely important in urban areas. Traditional management of stormwater was largely for draining away high peak flows.
Attend meetings
Having a career as landscape architect, you are involved in meeting with various clients, engineers, and building architects to understand the requirements of the project. Meeting with individuals involves communication the ability to get others to talk about themselves, rather than making them listen. Expressing confidence in someone makes the other person feel more comfortable, and enhances their morale. It also creates a condition in which the other individual experiences compelled to reciprocate.
Budgeting
In a career as landscaoe architect, you estimate the amount of cost required in the completion of the whole project. You are also involved in planning the project as per budget. The estimation of costs is an estimation of a plan, project, or operating expense. The estimated cost is the result of the method of calculating expenses. The estimated cost does indeed have a single investment impact, and the component values can be recognizable.
Design and development
A landscape architecture designs the graphic representations of plans for visualization on CAD (computer-aided-design) software. Architects design structures like houses or commercial buildings, whereas landscape architects, construct designs around structures for the outdoor spaces. They can design a public park at a school or corporation, or plan the grounds.
Types of a Landscape Architect
There are several types of alternative careers for landscape architects. We have provided below a list of landscapists career options that aspiring individuals may opt to upgrade their knowledge.
Architect: An architect is a person who plans as well as designs the construction of a building or other structures as well. An architect aims at creating the best possible building plans in the available space. An architect makes the visual design plan of the building before the construction begins. The design is made according to the preferences of the client the architect is working for.
Civil Engineer: A civil engineer builds comfort accessories that are required by the civilians of the place which can make their transportation as well as living easier. The job of a civil engineer is to plan, design, supervise, and construct several projects under the public and private sectors. A civil engineer builds infrastructure like roads, bridges, dams, sewage systems, airports, tunnels, and several other projects.
Construction Manager: A construction site is supervised as well as managed by a construction manager. The job of a construction manager is to make sure that the labourers, as well as the contractors, are doing their duties properly at the site of construction. They aim at making the most cost-effective plan for completing the construction within the given time and budget as provided by the client.
Drafters: A drafter is a visual artist who has specialized knowledge in the field of artistic drawing. Their job is to make technical drawings of machinery, buildings, or infrastructure under the guidance of an architect. They make detailed technical drawings that help in a better understanding of the construction plan made by the architect.
Also read: Career as Interior Architect
What is the workplace/work environment of Landscape Architect like?
Individuals who opt for a career as a landscape architect spend quite a lot of their time in offices, where they plan and design the whole scheme and architecture and spend the rest of their time doing on-field research and managing the staff. They are required to work on the field experiencing the raw weather conditions and surviving the external factors along with the work pressure.
Does Landscape Architect require travelling?
Not Likely
In career as landscape architect, individuals spend most of their time in the office, they are required to travel to their job sites. Travelling can be a major part of a landscapist job depending on the job site they are required to work on. The amount of travelling depends on the location of their Jobsite and the amount of work they are required to do. If the project site is situated far from the city, then the travelling portion is automatically increased.
Employment Shifts
Full Time
A career as a landscape architect requires you to work full-time usually from 9 am to 5 pm. Depending upon the type of work, fewer times landscapers required to work in certain shifts or overtime. Individuals who opt for a career as a landscape architect are offered both permanent and contractual jobs are available in the profession.
Employment Nature
Contractual, Permanent
There is both types of employment opportunities exist in the career as landscaper architect. Experienced landscapist may work on a freelance basis or a contractual basis on specific projects. In career as landscape architect, individuals usually work full-time on a permanent basis to gain up experience and improve their skills over time.
Work Place
Office, jobsite
They work in the office and on the jobsite. Hence, the workplace depends on the jobsite. Weekly work hours: 40-45 hours per week.
Presence in Geographical Area
Rural, Urban
The work that landscape architects are required to do, and the service that they provide tends to cover both urban and rural areas. Currently, urbanisation is at its peak in India. There are many companies, industries, even private contractors and builders who are creating infrastructures with the speed of light. There are a lot of job opportunities available in tier-1 cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Benguluru. Although, these places have already been developed and hence the demand for landscape architects is expected to grow more in tier-2 cities like Indore, Bhopal, Nasik and Lucknow.
Time Pressure
Likely
Individuals who opt for a career as a landscape architect are required to work full-time. However, one who is positioned for a senior post might feel some time pressure because of his/her duties. Apart from this, a landscape architect rarely faces any time pressure. When they are working in the field, experiencing raw weather conditions and surviving external factors can result in a little time pressure.
Overtime Details
Although landscape architects spend most of their time in office, they are required to travel to their job sites. And traveling sometimes causes them to work for long hours under stressful conditions. The chances of landscape architects working overtime are considered as 50-50.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 40 Hours
Landscape architect work hours vary depending on the project they are working on and required site visits, travel distance and other factors. Individuals who opt for a career as a landscape architect projects require a lot of time. In an office environment, landscapists usually work 40 hours per week.
How to become a Landscape Architect?
Steps to become a Landscape Architect
Exploring how to become a Landscape Architect in India is an exciting journey that involves shaping outdoor spaces and creating harmonious environments. Landscape architects play a pivotal role in blending nature with human design, making the outdoors beautiful and functional. This section of the article will guide you through the steps to embark on a fulfilling career and learn how to become a Landscape Architect in India.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Landscape Architect?
Here we will discuss how to become a landscape architect. Landscape architect career path requires a lot of skills and abilities to work in the industry. There are several requirements to become a Landscape Architect. Possessing specific skill sets is one of the main requirements. We have provided below major Landscape Architect skills that you may acquire in landscape architect career path.
Creativity: Individuals who opt for a career as a landscape architect are professions that demand one to be creative and exhibit it in his/her work. The power of imagination is what one needs to succeed in this field. The ability to visualise a project, the capability to be open to new ideas or ways of looking at things, curiosity to envision the potential in a place, the ability to imagine multiple scenarios, and most importantly, the ability to think three-dimensionally. These are a few creative skills that one needs to acquire in order to become a sage Landscape architect.
Project management: A Landscape architect is responsible to control, plan, and manage the overall strategy while working on any project. Therefore, one must be profound in planning and managing the complete process from starting to the end. In career as landscape architect, individuals must be able to plan and create an effective strategy, should have decision-making skills, leadership quality, problem-solving skills, should know how to manage time, how to control and motivate the team while leading them. In addition to these, one must have excellent organizational skills i.e. one should be able to allocate and arrange resources for the successful implementation of the plan. It is one of the important managerial skills. It helps them to determine the list of pending tasks, combine them into jobs, and group the jobs into units giving a form to the organization’s structure.
Attention to detail: As a Landscape Architect, the job needs one to be precise and detail-oriented towards the work you’re doing. This skill helps one to notice small but important details that others might not notice. It is helpful to have an eye for detail while building a house. Paying attention to details is a skill that needs to be acquired and just like other skills and just like other skills, it requires diligent practice.
Analytical skills: One must understand the concept of designs. One must be able to provide solutions to unanticipated challenges. Individuals who opt for a career as a landscape architect must be able to collect and analyze the information. Analytical skills are important while detecting patterns, integrating new information, theorizing, and making decisions based on multiple factors and options available. It helps them to evaluate information and then make decisions that help solve problems. These skills might sound technical but these skills are used in everyday work in a Landscape architect career.
Communication skills: Being able to communicate properly not only helps professionally but also personally. Communication skills are what one needs to speak appropriately with a wide variety of people whilst maintaining good eye contact. It ensures that one is able to manage interactions and businesses and organisations. Having strong analytical skills is worthless if one cannot share his/her analysis with others. In career as landscape architect, individuals must be effective communicators who can explain the patterns that they observe in things around them. Sometimes, a landscape architect would be required to explain information orally in a meeting or presentation. Other times, one might be required to write a report. Hence, lacking communication skills is non-negotiable.
Empathy: As a landscape architect, one must incorporate planning, execution, and implementation procedures within a broader sustainability framework i.e. internalising the externalities of a project. It is the responsibility of landscape architects to keep into consideration the social aspects as well as environmental factors that are being affected because of the project. A landscaper is in charge of creating models compatible with the essence of localities. These models are required to be sustainable, both environmentally and socially.
Popular Online Engineering Courses and Certifications
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Landscape Architect?
We have provided below certification courses that aspiring individuals who want to opt for a career as landscape architects can pursue to upgrade their skills and knowledge.
Internship Availability
Internships are a necessary step in landscape architect career path. Having an internship gives you a deep insight of the professional world and answers your various doubt on how to become a landscape architect. In order to have a better understanding of the field, it is necessary to take an internship before joining a professional field of work. Similarly, in the case of a landscape architecture career, one must intern first in order to gain experience as well as practical knowledge. There is a lot of difference in studying something in theory as well as applying it practically. One could either find an internship through his or her college or could look for them through online portals. Students can either intern with a company or an architect. If one works with enough dedication he or she could also find a job in the place of internship.
Also read: career as archaeologist
Career Path Progression for Landscape Architect
Design Associate: A design associate is a person with 3-6 years of experience in the field of architecture and designing working as design staff. One works under senior architects and is responsible for specific technical design aspects of an assigned project including investigation, evaluation, and recommendation of design solutions.
Urban Planners: Urban planners are professionals who specialise in shaping the development and growth of cities and metropolitan areas. They analyse factors such as land use, infrastructure, transportation, and environmental impact to create comprehensive plans that ensure sustainable and well-organized urban environments. Urban planners collaborate with local governments, communities, and developers to address issues like zoning, housing, transportation, and public spaces, ultimately striving to create livable, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing cities. Their work is vital in addressing the challenges of urbanisation and promoting quality of life in urban areas.
Landscape Architect Jobs and Salaries
Urban Planners
- Average Salary 47000
Job Description
Urban Planners are responsible for developing plans and strategies to enhance the functionality and sustainability of urban areas. They analyze existing infrastructure, land use, and demographics to design solutions that address issues like traffic congestion, housing, and environmental impact. Their work involves collaborating with government agencies, communities, and developers to create well-designed and livable cities.
Salary Description
The salary of Urban Planners can vary based on experience and location. Entry-level positions may offer salaries between ₹3-6 lakhs per annum, while experienced professionals can earn between ₹8-15 lakhs or more. Senior Urban Planners in larger cities or with extensive experience may command higher incomes.
(Salary credit Ambition Box)
Design associate
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 40000
Job Description
Design associates generally work under an established designer, where they help the lead designers in their projects. These designers work under a team of the designers in a firm and help them to complete the work for their clients.
Salary Description
Design associate's career depends on advancement, or significantly depends on industry experience and skills relevant to it. The entry level salary may be five lakhs a year, and might even possibly cross nine lakhs a year depending on the skills of the designers and on the company.
What is the job outlook for Landscape Architect?
Landscape architecture career in India is a profession that plays an important role in designing and developing projects, with respect to the environment. Landscape architect in India has a lot of scope of landscaping. There are several job outlets available in certain organizations such as architectural engineers, historians, building researchers, draftsmen, interior designers, section engineers, technologists, art directors, contractors, inspectors, planners. Various architect firms, consultancies, and government organizations have several positions open at all times of the year.
There are both public and government organizations that offer landscape architecture jobs such as archaeological department, central and state public work department, city development authorities, department of railways, housing and urban development corporations, ministry of defence, municipalities, national building organizations, national institute of urban affairs and housing, public works departments and state housing boards.
One starts as design staff. After gaining some experience one can become a design associate. After gaining experience of about eight years, one can become a project manager and then go on to become a senior project manager. One can also become a project designer and then finally a senior project designer. One can also work independently and take up projects according to one’s liking and preference.
The landscape architect career is expected to grow at a rate of four per cent which is the same as the average for all occupations. The undeniable requirement of planning and developing new and existing landscapes for commercial, industrial, and residential construction projects is expected to drive employment growth. Also, in the near future, environmental concerns will grow exponentially which will lead to increased demand for sustainably designed buildings, and open spaces should spur demand for the services of landscape architects. For instance, a landscape architecture career in India is the one that designs green roofs, which are covered with vegetation and help reduce air and water pollution as well as decrease the cost of heating and cooling a building.
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Frequently Asked Questions for Landscape Architect
Que. What landscape architects do?
Ans.Landscape architects design open spaces in such a manner that they are not only beautiful to look at but also highly functional. These open spaces try to not only gel well with the environment but also enhance it.
Que. What is the difference between a landscape architect and a landscape designer?
Ans.The primary distinction between landscape architects and landscape designers is that designers usually work on smaller residential projects. But to do any actual earth-moving construction, wall building, or electrical work, a licensed landscape contractor needs to be brought into the project.
Que. How do you become a landscape architect?
Ans.To become a landscape architect, you should typically follow a structured path, which includes obtaining a bachelor's or master's degree in Landscape Architecture, gaining practical experience through internships, and potentially becoming licensed through relevant authorities, depending on your location.
Que. What are the top bachelor courses one can pursue in order to become a landscape architect?
Ans.To become a landscape architect, you can pursue a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) with a focus on landscape design or enroll in specialised landscape architecture programmes offered by various universities and institutions in India. Some top institutions include CEPT University, SPA Delhi, and IIT Roorkee.
Que. How can I become a landscape architect after 12th in India?
Ans.To become a landscape architect after 12th in India, you can pursue a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree, which typically takes five years. After completing your B.Arch, you can further specialise in landscape architecture through master's programmes.
Que. What is the scope of landscape architecture?
Ans.The scope of landscape architecture in India is broad and growing, offering opportunities in urban planning, environmental conservation, real estate development, and landscape design. With increasing emphasis on sustainable practices, the demand for landscape architects is on the rise.
Que. How to become a landscape architect without a degree?
Ans.While a formal degree is the standard path to becoming a landscape architect, some individuals enter the field through apprenticeships or extensive practical experience. However, a degree offers a more structured and recognised route to this profession.
Que. How much do landscape architects earn?
Ans.At starting level – up to Rs 3,50,000 per annum; Mid-level - up to Rs. 6,00,000 per annum and Senior-level – Rs 10,00,000 and above per annum
Que. What are the top institutes to study architecture?
Ans.Some of the top architecture institutes in India include the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in Delhi, and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut. These institutions are renowned for their quality architecture programs and skilled faculty.
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Did you know?
Fact 1
Landscape is a painting term and the term ‘landscape architecture’ has been derived from a book about Italian painters
Fact 2
Australia is considered as the capital of landscape architecture
Fact 3
U.K. and the U.S. are the countries which pay their landscape architects the most across the globe
Fact 4
Landscape architecture has had the fastest growth rate in China
