Landscape architects work at multiple scales, from gardens to entire urban or natural ecosystems. Their projects articulate commanding narratives such as remediation and sustainability.
Clients who follow responsible design practices save time, money and the environment. They can also enjoy their landscapes longer.
The key is to provide an overall vision for the garden and communicate the budget and timelines upfront. More details about specific aesthetics can be addressed later.
Aesthetics
Landscape architects are responsible for the design of specific kinds of spaces outdoors. They might plan walkways, gardens, hedges and tree positions, or they could be designing a lake to make it more appealing to fish and other wildlife. They also may be working on a park or creating a greenway or some other sort of natural space that is dedicated to protecting the health, safety and welfare of humans.
If you want your yard to be more aesthetically pleasing, try focusing on an era for inspiration. This can help you get a cohesive look that will draw people in. It will also help you narrow down what plants and other features would work best for your space.
Color theory can also play a big role in aesthetics. Certain colors can convey certain messages, like blues making you feel calmer and reds evoking hunger. In this shady garden, the purple to red leaves of Heuchera contrast with the softer greens of boxwood and weeping redbud.
Function
Landscape architecture isn’t just about the visual aesthetics of a garden. It can also serve a variety of functional purposes, such as providing a recreational space for people to enjoy, or it can help increase the value of a home by creating an appealing exterior.
Similarly, landscapes can be used to enhance and support community economies. For example, studies show that more attractive streetscapes increase retail spending in an area. Landscape architects work to make streets and urban spaces more appealing, which helps local businesses thrive.
As the public becomes increasingly concerned about ecological performance, landscape architects are finding their skills in high demand. They are able to bridge the gap between nature and culture, science and engineering, design and social practice to address some of our most critical challenges. They can create bold visions that promote a more sustainable future.
Maintenance
A good landscaper/designer/architect will be up to date with industry relevant information, have strong communication skills and a well-rounded understanding of what is possible within your space. They will be able to bring your garden dreams to life, all while keeping in mind the practicalities of budget and time.
Landscape architecture ties together the built and natural worlds, working to preserve and in some cases heal the environment and provide for people’s needs at the same time. This competency requires broad historical knowledge of designed and vernacular landscapes, creative design intelligence and technical precision in analysis, design and visualization. It also necessitates a nimble educational system that endows students with professional skills while connecting them across disciplines. A good landscaper will be able to work in a range of project types, and have the capacity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. They will also be able to work to a deadline and understand client expectations. This will help them to ensure that their projects are delivered on time and in budget.
Sustainability
The field of landscape architecture has the ability to tie together built and natural environments. By using landscape design principles you can create green spaces that help to minimize our impact on the environment while still providing people with a place to enjoy nature and find peace.
One way a sustainable landscape can work is by mimicking the natural water cycle that took place on the land before it was developed. This can include limiting the amount of storm water runoff by planting native trees and shrubs around buildings to prevent erosion and flooding.
Another way is by utilizing green roofs and permeable surfaces on a building. These can be very effective for helping reduce energy usage and even air quality. They can also contribute to a LEED rating for the building and help the surrounding environment. Green landscapes will also make the building more attractive to potential renters, which may increase the overall profitability for a commercial or residential property.