What is landscape architecture?

As it happens, I did start my working life as an apprentice gardener having dropped art, to be able to play hockey at lunchtimes at school and become someone who veered towards the sciences, especially plant sciences which still fascinate me. When I had my own landscape contracting business, I realised that my body was unlikely to be happy with the hard physical work involved in building garden projects. I looked around for an alternative and was thrilled to find out about the existence of landscape architecture and better still, a degree course in nearby Manchester. I spent seven years’ of studying and work experience to become a chartered landscape architect. 

 

A rather flippant response to the question “What’s the difference between a landscape architect and a gardener?” could be, seven years! 

 

In the UK, shortly after I began my career as a landscape architect, the Landscape Institute began to offer three divisions of membership, with landscape managers and landscape scientists able to join the institute which was previously for landscape designers. These membership divisions do not always reflect the work done by each type of member. On completion of my studies and professional examinations, I became a member of the landscape design division. and will call on members of other divisions to supplement my knowledge and experience where necessary. 

 

 

Part of the difficulty in providing a concise definition of landscape architecture, even within the confines of the Landscape Institute’s landscape design division, is the breadth of the profession and the types of projects undertaken, from the design of small, intimate spaces, to large public realm projects, to landscape character assessments spanning several counties. 

 

A succinct definition, found on www.worldarchitecture.com says “Landscape architecture is the study and practice of designing environments (outdoors & indoors) of varying scale that encompasses elements of art, environment, architecture, engineering, and sociology”. 

 

The combination of the required technical and creative skills and knowledge are ideal for my temperament. With no two projects alike, there’s no time to get bored and I am still learning things all the time! 

 

For further information, please contact Hilary Newhall CMLI hilary.at@llchange.co.uk | 07955728562 

www.allchange.consulting