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What Does a Landscape Architect Do? A Deep Dive into Landscape Architecture

Landscape architecture is a powerful discipline that bridges design, ecology, engineering, and human experience. In this article we explain what does a landscape architect do, how landscape architects design, what it takes to become a licensed landscape architect, and why landscape architecture matters. We also show how GSDE’s integrated approach to built and natural environments delivers superior outcomes.

Introduction to Landscape Architecture

When people ask “what does a landscape architect do,” they often imagine ornamental gardens or parks. But landscape architects do much more: they shape outdoor space, guide the interplay between nature and infrastructure, and plan landscapes that perform over time. Landscape architecture is about creating harmony between built and natural environments, balancing aesthetics, ecology, functionality, and regulatory compliance. Landscape architects use their expertise in landscape design and soil science to create spaces that are both beautiful and sustainable.

A landscape architecture firm typically offers services spanning site analysis, conceptual design, technical documents, permitting, construction oversight, and post‑occupancy stewardship. In many jurisdictions, professionals must satisfy landscape architect requirements like education, supervised experience, and licensing exams before they can sign designs and obtain a landscape architecture license.

Core Functions: What Landscape Architects Actually Do

Site Analysis and Inventory

One of the first tasks in the design process is site analysis. Landscape architects gather data on topography, soils, hydrology, existing vegetation, views, microclimate, drainage, and environmental constraints. This foundational work ensures that the site plans respond intelligently to real conditions. They may use computer aided design tools and geographic information systems to model terrain, overlay utilities, or simulate water flow.

Conceptual Design and Master Planning

Next, landscape architects design conceptual layouts that outline circulation, zones of use, planting areas, hardscape elements, views, focal points, and relationships between indoor and outdoor areas. They may produce multiple concept sketches or create models to help clients visualize how outdoor areas will function. For larger projects, they develop comprehensive plans that guide phased implementation and inform other disciplines like civil or structural engineering. Landscape architects also work on small scale projects, applying the same principles of thoughtful landscape design to residential yards or community gardens.

Detailed Design and Documentation

Once a concept is approved, the team moves into detailed design, producing precise drawings and technical specifications. This includes planting plans, irrigation design, grading and drainage, hardscape construction details (walls, pavements, steps), lighting, and cost estimates. Landscape architects collaborate with civil engineers, structural engineers, and architects to coordinate utilities, retaining walls, and drainage systems.

Stormwater, Grading, and Resilience

In many states, stormwater management is regulated, so landscape architects incorporate features like bioswales, infiltration basins, permeable pavements, green roofs, rain gardens, or constructed wetlands. They ensure grading and drainage integrate with site topography to minimize erosion and manage runoff. Their designs strengthen resilience in landscapes exposed to extreme rainfall, drought, or climate shifts.

Permitting, Regulation, and Compliance

A significant part of professional practice involves navigating environmental regulations, zoning codes, tree ordinances, water efficiency mandates, and site approvals. Many clients rely on landscape architects to handle plan check comments, revisions, or coordination with municipal review bodies. Because states require landscape architects to be licensed to stamp plans, a licensed landscape architect can produce submittable documents that satisfy regulatory reviewers. Licensing is governed by landscape architectural registration boards, which oversee the examination and credentialing process to ensure qualified professionals meet high standards. The society of landscape architects often provides resources and advocacy for practitioners in this field.

Construction Oversight and Contract Administration

After permits are secured and construction begins, landscape architects spend time in the field observing implementation, answering job duties like reviewing submittals, responding to requests for information, and ensuring contractors follow design intent. They safeguard quality, help resolve site issues, and defend against costly mistakes.

Post‑Occupancy, Maintenance, and Stewardship

Once built, landscapes need care. Landscape architects may produce maintenance manuals, monitor plant health or drainage performance, and adjust or refine designs if certain elements underperform. This ensures longevity and client satisfaction in the long term.

Types of Projects Landscape Architects Work On

Residential Projects

In residential settings, landscape architects design private yards, gardens, patios, terraces, pools, outdoor rooms, and public spaces adjacent to homes. They can allocate zones for recreation, shade, privacy, or drought‑resilient planting.

Multi‑Family and Mixed‑Use Developments

For apartment complexes, townhomes, or mixed-use buildings, landscape architects design courtyards, amenity areas, buffers, walkway systems, and site plans that meet local open-space requirements or shading codes.

Parks, Civic Projects, and Public Spaces

Landscape architects often lead in designing parks, plazas, school campuses, or municipal greenways. Projects might include playgrounds, pathways, ecological restoration, habitat integration, or pathways linking neighborhoods.

Campus and Institutional Landscapes

On college campuses, campuses, medical centers, or institutional sites, landscape architects coordinate large master plans that tie together buildings, circulation, retention basins, plazas, and plant palettes across broad terrain.

Path to Becoming a Licensed Landscape Architect

Education and Degree Requirements

Most prospective landscape architects begin by earning an undergraduate degree or bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture or related field (such as environmental science, horticulture, or urban planning). Many complete a landscape architecture program accredited by recognized bodies (such as LAAB in the U.S.). Some go on to a master’s degree in landscape architecture.

Internships and Supervised Experience

After graduation, emerging professionals often serve as intern landscape architects or in other design roles, accumulating practical hands on experience under a licensed landscape architect. Landscape architect requirements of many states mandate a minimum number of years (often 2–4) of supervised work before one can sit for licensing exams.

Examinations and Registration

In the U.S., most jurisdictions require passage of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) as a condition for licensure. Licensing is governed by landscape architectural registration boards, often coordinated through the national body CLARB. States require landscape architects who wish to practice legally to pass this exam and meet other eligibility criteria.

Licensing, Registration, and Maintaining Credentials

Once licensed, professionals are recognized as licensed landscape architects, allowed to use regulatory seals and sign documents. Some states require continuing education through programs like the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES) to maintain licensure.

Alternative Paths and Reciprocity

In some cases, experienced professionals without a conventional degree may qualify for licensure through alternate pathways, provided they meet experience and exam requirements. Some jurisdictions allow reciprocity so licensed landscape architects from one state can register in another.

Why Landscape Architecture Matters in California and Beyond

Environmental Performance and Sustainability

Landscape architecture has a central role in water conservation, biodiversity, soil health, and ecosystem connectivity. Designers specify native plants, drought-resistant palettes, rainwater capture, and landscapes that reduce irrigation and chemical use.

Climate Resilience, Fire Safety, and Adaptation

In fire‑prone regions or extreme climates, landscape architects specialize in defensible space planning, noncombustible plant selection, design for shade and cooling, and strategies that buffer climate stress.

Regulatory Complexity

California and other jurisdictions enforce robust environmental review, stormwater mandates, habitat protection, tree preservation, and water efficiency measures. A skilled landscape architect helps clients navigate overlapping rules and avoid costly revisions.

Value, Market Impact, and Experience

Well‑designed landscape adds curb appeal, supports occupant comfort, encourages outdoor use, and boosts property value. Landscape architecture goes beyond beautification, it shapes how people live, connect, and thrive outdoors.

Landscape Architect vs Other Professionals

Landscape Architect vs Landscape Designer

A landscape designer often lacks licensure and may focus on aesthetics or planting without handling grading, stormwater, or permit documentation. A licensed landscape architect can take legal responsibility, sign stamped plans, and lead the full design and permitting process.

Landscape Architect vs Civil Engineer

Civil engineers design infrastructure, roads, drainage pipes, utilities, earthmoving. Landscape architects design people-facing outdoor systems, ecological integration, site features, and planting. The two collaborate heavily.

Landscape Architect vs Building Architects

Building architects design structures, envelopes, and interiors. Landscape architects design the context around those buildings, how they meet the ground, circulate, shade, and integrate with nature.

When You Need an Integrated Team

Many clients benefit from a single integrated team of architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, and landscape architects working together from early phases. This coordination avoids conflicts and allows a smoother design process.

What Landscape Architects Spend Their Time On

Most landscape architects divide their time among design work, client meetings, site visits, permit coordination, document production, and construction supervision. They also often learn and apply other design software or tools like GIS, rendering engines, or parametric modeling.

Landscape architects spend time balancing creative work with technical demands, ensuring that the big picture vision is grounded in real constraints, budgets, and environmental laws.

Salary, Demand, and Job Outlook

The average salary for landscape architects in the U.S. is in the range of about $79,660 per year (median from BLS, May 2024). Some other sources report average salaries near $83,128 in 2025. Earnings depend heavily on experience, location, specialization, and employer. In high cost regions, such as California or major metro areas, compensation may be significantly higher.

Employment growth for landscape architects is projected at about 3 percent between 2024 and 2034, which is on par with average job growth. The demand is fueled by urban redevelopment, green infrastructure, climate resilience, and sustainable development priorities.

Historical Context and Influence

Frederick Law Olmsted, known for designing New York’s Central Park, remains one of the most influential early figures in landscape architecture. His work established landscape architecture as a serious design discipline that shapes large public realms.

How GSDE Approaches Landscape Architecture

At GSDE, landscape architecture is integrated from the very first concept, not treated as an afterthought. Because we operate as a landscape architecture firm within a broader architecture and engineering practice, we solve site, structure, civil, and landscape challenges holistically. We coordinate our civil engineers, architects, and landscape designers so that grading, drainage, utilities, and planting complement one another.

We emphasize resilient design, native planting, water efficiency, shading strategies, and compliance in local jurisdictions. Our clients benefit from seamless permitting, cleaner submittals, fewer change orders, and outdoor spaces that feel thoughtful, functional, and sustainable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licensed landscape architect for my project?

If your project involves grading, structural elements, drainage, stormwater, environmental permitting, or is regulated by municipal code, then yes, a licensed landscape architect is often required.

What is the difference between landscape architecture and landscaping?

Landscape architecture is design, planning, engineering, permitting, and oversight of outdoor environments. Landscaping is the installation and maintenance side, planting, mowing, pruning, irrigation adjustments.

How long does it take to become a landscape architect?

Typically it takes 4–5 years of undergraduate or master’s study, followed by 2–4 years of supervised experience, then passing the licensing exam.

Can I practice across multiple states?

Yes, many licensed landscape architects pursue reciprocity through landscape architectural registration boards or by meeting other states’ licensure requirements.

Do landscape architects also design structures?

They may design site features (walls, pergolas, terraces) but full structural design is handled by structural engineers or architects. Collaboration is key.

Conclusion

Understanding what does a landscape architect do reveals just how multi‑dimensional this profession is. Landscape architects design the connective tissue between buildings and nature. They plan, engineer, iterate, permit, build, and steward landscapes in service of people, ecology, and place. Whether for residential projects, parks, or public spaces, their role is indispensable.

If you are planning a custom home, multi‑family development, or site improvement, we encourage you to involve landscape architecture early in the process. At GSDE, we already consider your outdoor environment the stage on which your architecture lives. Contact us to bring your landscape vision to life.