What is Landscape Architecture?

Landscape architecture has been a big part of my life for the past six years and this question is something that I’m still trying to figure out and give answers to myself and everyone else. When I tell people what my profession is, I always get the same reaction ‘Oh that is wonderful, you design gardens’. Well, it is a lot more than just gardens. It’s hard to explain it in one sentence how important, diverse and complex landscape architecture is, so I have decided to dedicate a whole post to this topic, where I would try to explain the essence of landscape architecture by answering simple questions.

When it all started?

From the distant past people tried to modify landscape in order to create a better quality of life or to aesthetically improve space but term ‘landscape architecture’ came to life in the 19th century. This profession progressed and developed through different historical periods but now I would like to discuss more what LA is today.

What LA studies?

It is a multidisciplinary field that combines knowledge from botany, horticulture, geomorphology, ecology, hydrology, fine arts, architecture etc. It requires creative and technical skills using scientific approach and elements of sustainable development.
Let's compare landscape architecture with a cake! In order to get the perfect cake you need to create all the layers with specific quantity and quality of ingredients but at the same time, you need to be creative and skillful enough to make it not only tasty but beautiful as well. The same goes with landscape architecture, cake layers are scientific fields that have to be researched and used in a correct order and put together in such a way that the planned area is both functional and aesthetically attractive.

What do the landscape architects do?

Landscape architecture projects are based on design and use of outdoor spaces (soft and hardscape) in natural and artificial habitats of rural, suburban and urban areas. They can vary from small to big scale and include public or private areas.
It’s the landscape architect’s job to do thorough research, design and materialize ideas.

Their work can be seen all around us

Parks, squares, botanical gardens, arboretums, waterfronts, and boulevards

Raingarden, green roof, vertical gardens and wetland

Educational and government institutions

Playgrounds, golf courses, theme parks and sports facilities

Residential gardens, balconies, atriums and urban furniture

Bridges, transit corridors, streets, windbreak and shelterbelts

Historic gardens, national park and conservation areas

Cemeteries, landfills, industrial areas, brownfield, zoo and etc.

At the end of this post, I would like to add one spectacular video (copyright Room60) about this topic. This video always inspires me and makes me feel proud of my profession.

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Thank you for taking the time to read my post
Take care Steemians :)
Milica