Busting The Myths About Landscape Architects

Busting The Myths About Landscape Architects
5 min read
31 December 2022

Landscape designing is a very large field, and architecture is an essential part of it. Though landscape architects are not acknowledged much, they have never ceased working to give us fantastic landscapes that please our eyes and mesmerize our minds. Moreover, there are many misconceptions about landscape architects as people believe landscape architecture is a sub-part of practicing architecture. But, in reality, landscape architecture is a whole different and proper research-based field which includes the study of ergonomics, plants, and climate studies that are needed to develop parks, gardens and monuments. You might also have some misbeliefs about landscape designers, which you will have to debunk before you contact a Sacramento landscape contractor. 

They Are Primarily Selectors And Arrangers Of Plants

Plant selection is not as easy as people think it to be as it is supremely important and the foremost talent attributed to a good architect. Landscape architects do not just randomly select and arrange plants in your yard. The designers should know all the standard design principles and apply them skillfully. Their improved plant knowledge greatly benefits clients as they stay updated on horticulture issues and use it to develop landscapes. 

Another important skill that a landscape architect should have is the ability to select pavers for a site. They will know whether a site requires pavers, gravel, or softcovers with what variant levels and slopes. Thus, when you contact a Sacramento landscape contractor, you can take advantage of their vast knowledge and develop the best design for your yard.

Landscape Architects Are Gardeners

This can be said to be the most shared misconception, as many people believe that landscape architects build and maintain landscapes. Although they love to spend time around gardens and plants, they spend a good amount of time planning, designing, and managing projects on their computers. The rest of their time is mainly consumed at meetings, with clients and collaborating with other professionals, which may also include urban and town planning that deals with designing and planning cities and towns.

They Cannot Draw Out Details And Only Look At The Big Picture

The details are in the designs that they create. Their job is to figure out grading plans and technical details for materials, drainage, finishes and layout dimensions, along with planning and drawing plans for outdoor spaces.

They Treat Landscapes As A Separate Entity And Ignore The Buildings And Its Users.

The crucial aspects of a landscape site are:

  • The flow of water movement at the site.
  • The interaction of light and shadow.
  • The relationship to the site slopes.
  • Local climate effects.

With so many complexities, the landscape designer works within the site context to design places that fit the big picture. An important part of their job includes examining the needs of an end-user.

They Are Lone Rangers

Though small-scale projects do not require a lot of drawings and inspection, larger projects require a team of designers to produce and inspect the design for the site. Each teammate brings a different skill set that they specialize in. The team members may be concerned with various design aspects, such as the practicality of the construction, how vehicles move through a place, how to manipulate the soil to create experiences, and how water flows across the site.

Landscape Architecture Is Not A Necessity

 Many believe that landscape architecture is only an accessory and not a necessity. But landscape architects design for how people experience and utilize the space, and they are focused on the program of space. They are concerned not only with how a landscape looks and what is planted but also focus on how the space feels to the user, intimate or vast, lush or minimalist. Many homeowners do not give their outdoor spaces the same exemplary level of design that they provide their indoors. Hence, a landscape designer should be involved to get the best outcomes. However, people eventually understand its value.

They Contribute Towards Sustainability Only By Adding Greenery

In addition to ensuring environmental sustainability through design interventions, landscape designing also focuses on the physical design and arrangement of built and natural elements of a site. Their clever thinking and planning help prevent excessive building heat gain, reducing energy consumption and manifesting a natural and healthy atmosphere in the surrounding.

They Do Not Have A Variant Scope Of Work

To many people’s surprise, landscape architecture is a broad field as the scale of work can range from small spaces to entire regions. The scope of planning and designing can also vary widely. Landscape architectural projects may include parks/recreation sites, streetscapes, housing developments, hotel facilities, academic and corporate campuses, residential properties, hospital grounds, etc.

Conclusion

Landscape architecture is not merely art and adding aesthetics to outdoor spaces. It requires a combination of elements to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor area.

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Sharukh Khan 7
Joined: 1 year ago
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