Landscape architect

A landscape architect is a professional whose job is to design and create green spaces. They design gardens for local authorities and private individuals. But what exactly are their tasks? What skills does this professional need? What tools do they use? And what training is required to become a landscape architect? These are just some of the questions we'll be answering.

Landscape architects design landscapes. They must develop and enhance the environment of green spaces. Whether it’s an urban district or an area to be reforested.

Their main task is to design landscaping schemes. To do this, they have to follow three key stages: studying the feasibility of the project, drawing up a plan and managing the site. They diagnose and study the feasibility of the project. He will then reveal the parameters (impact on the population, end users, socio-economic aspects). They will also have to take into account environmental constraints such as climate and topography, which they will have to incorporate into the project.

These studies are carried out in a technical design office.

The second part of their work involves developing the project. They will imagine and design a space planning project based on the constraints and needs that have been studied beforehand. They draw up plans with measurements and sketches. They estimate the budget needed to complete the project, present it to the customer and make any necessary alterations.

The third part involves organising the site. The landscape architect submits the various applications for administrative authorisation. He will also issue invitations to tender and choose the companies to work with. He will have to visit the site regularly to ensure that the work is being carried out on schedule.

He will draw up (and receive) specifications and determine the various solutions suited to the project. He will choose the species to be used, the materials, the installation of the plants, etc. depending on the nature of the site to be landscaped, its climate and its purpose.

They will work with CAD software, sketches and drawings. They also create technical and administrative documents. These may include earthworks plans, irrigation network plans, legal clauses, tender regulations or contract documents. They may also be involved in advising on studies, research and teaching. When working on major projects, landscape architects may work in collaboration with engineers, architects or town planners.

They may work on restoring private gardens or developing vast public green spaces. They will also work on new outdoor spaces such as squares, neighbourhoods or avenues, shopping centres, community sites, reforestation of an area or, for example, the installation of a wind turbine. They can also work on roadside landscaping, urban design or private terraces and balconies.

For local authorities, they may be responsible for drawing up rules for landscaping public spaces . To do this, they use their own knowledge, but may also call on the services of plant and floral specialists (nurserymen, horticulturists). He will call on gardeners to carry out the work. They may or may not monitor the work. They deal with a wide range of customers: private clients, civil servants, sports clubs, private companies, property management companies, motorway companies, etc.

They may work in a variety of settings: in a design office, certain government departments, local authorities, large companies, training establishments, associations or NGOs. They may be employed or self-employed. Their remit covers a wide range of areas: territorial diagnosis, drawing up a landscape policy, putting in place and monitoring proposals for the conservation and protection of green spaces, not to mention analysing the data collected on the natural site they are to develop.

Landscape architects are also known as landscape designers or landscape architects.

A landscape architect will have technical skills, but not only that. They must also know how to work in a team and be particularly rigorous. They must be highly adaptable…