A Landscape Architect is…
I define a Landscape Architect as a person educated, trained, experienced, certified, licensed, continually updated, to professionally design outdoor spaces. A Landscape Architect is frequently a member of a core design team made up of the Client, an Architect, Civil Engineer, and Electrical Engineer, and, often, the General Contractor. The Landscape Architect leads the conceptual design of the space exterior to the building and above the grade.
For the technical definition, Florida Statute 481.303(4) defines a Landscape Architect as an individual providing a professional service including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Consultation, investigation, research, planning, design, preparation of drawings, specifications, contract documents and reports, responsible construction supervision, or landscape management in connection with the planning and development of land and incidental water areas, including the use of Florida-friendly landscaping as defined in s. 373.185, where, and to the extent that, the dominant purpose of such services or creative works is the preservation, conservation, enhancement, or determination of proper land uses, natural land features, ground cover and plantings, or naturalistic and aesthetic values;
(b) The determination of settings, grounds, and approaches for and the siting of buildings and structures, outdoor areas, or other improvements;
(c) The setting of grades, shaping and contouring of land and water forms, determination of drainage, and provision for storm drainage and irrigation systems where such systems are necessary to the purposes outlined herein; and
(d) The design of such tangible objects and features as are necessary to the purpose outlined herein.
Functionally, all the above means that when the Client accepts a conceptual site design, the Landscape Architect completes the following (with a brief description) construction drawings to contribute to a final construction permit:
Notes + Specifications. General references, definitions, and reporting requirements for contractors to follow when reviewing the specific construction drawings.
Tree Protection + SWPPP Plan. Protecting existing trees and, for single residential sites, protecting topsoil from eroding off of the site and polluting storm drains.
Grading Plan. Creating ADA accessible routes and directing the flow of water.
Hardscape Plan. The site’s dimensioned layout, paving materials, amenities (e.g. outdoor furniture, trash/recycling containers, drinking fountains, trellises and gazebos, water fountains, etc.).
Landscape Plan. The trees, shrubs, and groundcovers identified by species and properly located (i.e. the shade loving plants need to be in shaded locations) on the site.
Landscape Irrigation Plan. The layout of the irrigation zones by plant type and watering schedule in compliance with the local Florida water management district.
Landscape Lighting Plan. Uplighting, path lights, pedestrian lights, parking lot lights, and even “sea turtle friendly” environmental lighting.
Wayfinding Plan. For public and commercial sites, this can include custom designed signs and the copy.
Details Plan. Almost everything on site – from tree protection fencing to irrigation heads – has a construction detail identifying the product name, model number, manufacturer, size, color, texture, finish, hardware, and so on.
Most importantly, a Landscape Architect is a person who believes outdoor spaces are important. Whether you are playing with your kids in the local park or walking through your Publix parking lot, a Landscape Architect wants you to feel comfortable and safe through the applications of spacing, grading, paving materials, plantings, texture, color, and illumination.
