Scope of Work

Master Planning

Master planning is a major area of practice for many Landscape Architects. Landscape Architects often collaborate with other professionals including:

• land planning and managing land
• land-use studies
• natural and cultural resource surveys
• planning and design guidelines
• visual analysis
  landscape reclamation management

Through the process of public participation, the Landscape Architect must also be able to balance the ideas of the client and the proposed development program with those of citizen advisory committees and community action groups.

Site Planning

Site planning, an important component of the profession, is the synthesis of information from biophysical and cultural factors to refine the relationship between the built and the natural elements of a land system. A site plan can involve planning the landscape for a single house, an office park or shopping center, an entire community, or park system. Sensitive site planning produces development that minimizes both environmental impacts and project costs, while adding greater value to a site.

Landscape Design

Landscape and garden design, the historical core of the profession, is concerned with the biophysical analysis of outdoor space for the design of residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and public areas.

It includes detailed environmental and site analysis, development of design concepts, and the preparation of construction plans and drawings.

These plans include the design and specification of landscape features, trees and plant materials.

Project Management

Often heading a multi-discipline team, the Landscape Architect, as a Project Manager, coordinates the many aspects of a project and remains committed to its completion.

Project management is the process of coordinating the variety of elements necessary for a planning or design solution. Landscape architectural projects can range from small urban gardens, to large parks, to entire community systems.

The elements of master planning, site planning, and landscape design are incorporated into planning documents and reports, which lead to design drawings, specification and tender documents, implementation and maintenance.

Implementation

Landscape Architects implement plans and designs by working with and supervising individuals, community groups and contractors.

In this process the Landscape Architect transforms graphic design solutions into the built environment, and manages the technical and financial aspects of a project from the initial ground-breaking to project commissioning and maintenance.