We’re on the Same Team, it’s Not a Battle
SETTING THE SCENE
Landscape designers vs landscape architects isn’t really a thing, both can provide great designs. Still, the level of service they can provide differs.
Our Metro Washington DC, landscape design firm, serves our clients best by enhancing outdoor living spaces, contributing to a property’s aesthetic appeal and functional aspects. A well-thought-out landscape plan built correctly by a contractor can change a property into a fun, harmonious, inviting, and helpful environment.
RISING TRENDS IN LANDSCAPING
Landscape projects have become increasingly popular because various factors emphasize the importance of outdoor spaces in enhancing the overall quality of life. Both homeowners and businesses invest in landscaping to create functional and beautiful exterior spaces for relaxation and entertainment.
Post-COVID, there’s a movement towards wellness and a connection with nature. The desire for happiness and well-being and a relationship with nature has encouraged the introduction of more greenery, water features, and natural elements in the built landscape.
A professionally designed and installed landscape has proven to enhance the curb appeal of properties with a combination of hardscape and plantings. The visual improvement often translates into increased property values and attracting new home buyers.
Increased sustainable landscape practices are leading to an increase in environmental awareness. The use of well-adapted native plants and water-efficient irrigation systems highlights current eco-friendly landscaping practices that are becoming the norm.
There has been a surge in landscape projects, resulting in more demand for landscape design professionals. The increasing complexity of landscape projects has created a demand for professionals who can conceptualize and design outdoor spaces. This could lead to an environment where there’s even less landscape designers vs landscape architects.
Landscape architects and designers are instrumental in creating visually appealing and functional residential and commercial building landscape designs. Landscape professionals with 3D modeling, drone surveys, and advanced irrigation systems illustrate landscape design technology. Thus, the demand for people with applicable technical skills in landscape design is exponential.
THE PROFESSIONALS BEHIND THE SCENES: WHERE'S YOUR TRUCK?
Landscape designers and landscape architects play significant roles in aesthetics and functional design. Both bring distinct skills and perspectives to the table.
Landscape designers are generally focused on the aesthetics of the landscape people believe. There are exceptions to this belief, which we will discuss further.
The following are some accepted roles and skills we expect a landscape designer to have a natural eye for using color, texture, and composition combined with an artistic flair while being practical. The landscape designers aim to craft a harmonious and visually appealing outdoor environment for their clients.
Landscape architects take a broader look and more comprehensive approach to landscape design. We are educated and trained in technical aspects related to site analysis, land use, and environmental considerations.
Larger projects are typically the realm of registered landscape architects. We integrate ecology, land management, sustainability, and community needs into our designs. On most of our commercial building landscape design projects, we collaborate with architects, civil engineers, and other design professionals to prepare plans that are pleasing to the eye, functional, sustainable, and work with the environment.
One can see that landscape architects and designers’ roles go far beyond aesthetics. Landscape designers may concentrate more on the visual aspects and the sensory experience of the landscape; landscape architects must consider ecological principles, long-term sustainability, and environmental impact.
The funny thing is that with all that expertise, some folks still want to know where your truck is, whether you do landscape design in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC.
UNDERSTANDING LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS
There are three typical academic routes to becoming a landscape designer:
1. Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Design or Landscape Architecture
These programs provide a well-rounded education in design principles, horticulture, plant selection, site planning, and construction techniques. Different programs will focus more on specific aspects of landscape design than others.
2. Horticulture or Environmental Design Degrees
People with horticulture and environmental degrees have a strong understanding of plants, soil, ecological principles, and design skills.
3. Certificate and Associate Degrees
Usually, these programs are shorter and provide a more practical education, emphasizing hands-on skills and design.
A landscape designer’s training is just as necessary as their education. Hands-on, practical training is crucial to get the background to become a professional landscape designer.
Site visits and exposure to different outdoor spaces are vital for a well-rounded learning experience. Analyzing existing landscapes and observing how they evolve help a landscape designer make informed design decisions and solve problems.
EXPLORING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Typically, it takes a formal education from an accredited program at the university level. Still, there are some exceptions to the rule. One of my first bosses was a registered landscape architect and didn’t go to a university for a formal education. He studied the books and learned the profession from the landscape architects he hired, then sat for the national exam and passed.
Here’s a more traditional approach to becoming a landscape architect:
1. Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture
Most professional landscape architecture degrees are four and five-year programs. Design, horticulture, ecology, communication, and construction are these programs’ foundations.
2. Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture
A master’s degree in landscape architecture usually focuses on advanced and specialized education. One might pursue a master’s degree to teach at a university or be in a leadership position.
In Maryland, a landscape architecture graduate must work directly under a licensed landscape architect for two years before taking the LARE (Landscape Architect Registration Examination). The rigorous multiple-day exam covers the four knowledge, skills, and abilities.
With the experience requirements met, the candidate passes the exam and registers within the state they practice; they can officially call themselves professional landscape architects. They can hang out their shingle and take on projects. Still, they are also taking on the responsibilities of a landscape architect.
The stakes are higher now because there’s a license to lose if something goes wrong on a project. The risk is why experienced professionals recommend working for some time before starting your firm. There’s even more learning required once you start practicing.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Things get a little fuzzy and not so black and white. There’s a general assumption that landscape designers work on small and residential projects, and landscape architects work on large commercial projects. There are lots of landscape designers who work on the largest of projects and landscape architects who design fine residential gardens.
Our Washington, DC, landscape design office does residential and commercial landscape architecture. I remember one of my professors telling us that a good landscape architect should be able to design a commercial and residential landscape because we use the same plants of the region, are trained to prepare to scale, and should always be planning for the human scale. I still agree with him.
Most landscape designers working in landscape architecture offices are people with a landscape architecture degree working on the exam, have taken the exam and didn’t pass, or have no interest in being a registered landscape architect. All have various skill levels, and some can do what a landscape architect can do except sign and seal official documents like site plans, Green Area Ratio Plans, and Forest Conservation Plans.
LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS VS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS: CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROFESSIONAL FOR YOUR PROJECT
As a landscape architect, I’m supposed to want to beat up on landscape designers naturally, but I can’t. I’ve met some incredible landscape designers with just as many skills as I have and poorly skilled landscape architects.
My first mentor as a young LA was a landscape designer who worked with me who was in his seventies. He designed the most beautiful residential landscape projects. I learned how to detail hardscape and woodwork from him.
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as hiring a landscape designer for this project and a landscape architect for another. It depends on the landscape architecture firm, the landscape designer, and the individuals working on your project.
As a rule of thumb, I tell homeowners that if they spend more than $20,000 on a landscape project, they should hire a landscape architect. That’s enough money to want professional drawings that describe the work to be done in detail by a registered landscape architect.
Commercial property owners should hire a landscape architecture firm for all exterior improvements and new construction, except for minor plantings and repairs. Commercial properties are regulated closely by municipalities regarding landscape design and materials. Most will require plans stamped by a registered landscape architect. A green area ratio plan would require the landscape architecture seal.
CONCLUSION
Property owners must do their homework when hiring a company to design their landscape. It’s not only about licenses, Google ratings, glitzy websites, or big offices to judge whether you should hire a firm.
First, you want to feel the person you’ll work with and how you interact with them. A designer who listens to you is what’s most important. You also want someone honest with you because someone who agrees with your ideas, whether they like them or not, is not serving you.
Secondly, hire a firm with experience and desire to work on your project. I’ve worked at big firms, and my experience was that small, low-profile projects went to junior staff (landscape designers). A senior landscape architect managed the hours on the project with little design input, and the junior did all of the work. Sometimes, that work could have been better.
My point in saying all this is to avoid getting caught up in the titles of landscape designer vs landscape architect on a project because you could likely be working with both. You want to go by built projects and how the designer works with you. Once again there is no such thing as landscape designers vs landscape architects, we’re on the same team.
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For further information on landscape designers vs landscape architects, here’s a great article from Architectural Digest.