Landscape architects create innovative, visually appealing and environmentally sensitive outdoor spaces for people to enjoy
As a landscape architect, you'll collaborate closely with other professionals such as engineers and surveyors to work on a range of projects in both urban and rural settings. These might include rural parks, gardens and housing estates or urban designs in city centres, sporting sites and motorway construction.
During the design and planning phase of your work, you'll consider the needs of clients and potential users and will explore and address factors such as environmental impact and sustainability.
Types of landscape architecture
You may focus on one or more areas of landscape architecture, such as:
- environmental protection and ecological and sustainable design
- historic preservation and restoration
- landscape management in areas such as hospitals and travel corridors
- parks, public gardens and other sports and recreational facilities
- rural landscape design
- urban design.
What does a landscape architect do?
As a landscape architect, you'll need to:
- oversee the design of a variety of projects, including urban regeneration schemes, pedestrian schemes, road or retail schemes and maintain the character of sites of natural beauty
- establish general landscape requirements with clients
- conduct preliminary studies of the site (including contours, soil, ecology, buildings, roads, heritage)
- assess a site's potential to meet the client's specifications
- seek and consider the views of local residents, potential users, and parties with a vested interest in the project
- accurately prepare and present detailed plans and working drawings of the re-design of the new site, including applications, construction details and specifications for the project using computer-aided design (CAD) packages or similar design software
- present proposals to clients, deal with enquiries and negotiate any amendments to the final design
- match the client's wishes with your knowledge of what will work best
- contact and coordinate manufacturers and suppliers
- put work out to tender, select a contractor and manager (mainly for larger projects), and lead cross-functional teams
- carry out site visits
- ensure deadlines are met
- liaise with other professionals on the project
- monitor and check work on site (on large projects, landscape managers may do this type of supervisory work)
- authorise payment once work has been satisfactorily completed
- attend public enquiries to give evidence if necessary
- write bid proposals and generate new business opportunities.
How much does a landscape architect earn?
- As a graduate landscape architect, you'll earn between £27,000 and £34,500, depending on employer and location.
- Once chartered, you'll earn between £33,000 and £45,000.
- As a senior or associate landscape architect, it's possible to earn up to £63,500.
For experienced landscape architects, financial rewards may be higher in the private sector, especially if partner status is obtained.
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
How many hours does a landscape architect work?
Your working hours may fluctuate. Expect a standard 37-hour, five-day week, but evening and weekend work is not unusual.
Hours are likely to be particularly irregular when working to a tight deadline and split between the office and site visits. Shift work is rare and self-employment is an option, allowing for a more flexible working pattern.
How do I become a landscape architect?
Landscape architecture is a chartered profession and the first step towards getting chartered status is to ensure that you have reached Masters level on a higher education course accredited by the Landscape Institute (LI).
Courses are available in areas such as:
- conservation management
- garden design
- geography
- landscape architecture
- landscape design and ecology
- landscape management
- urban planning or design.
Search for postgraduate courses in landscape architecture.
Undergraduate degrees usually include an option for work experience placements in industry. If you already have an undergraduate degree that isn't accredited by the LI, you can still enter the profession by completing an LI-accredited postgraduate conversion course. These courses generally last between 18 months and two years full time, or longer if part time.
For a place on the conversion course, you do not need to have studied a related undergraduate degree but should have a keen interest in design and the environment.
An alternative way to enter the profession is via an apprenticeship route. You can take a two-year Level 3 Landscape Technician Apprenticeship combining study with paid employment.
All students on LI-accredited courses are encouraged to sign up to be a student member of the LI. Membership gives you access to events and professional networks and the chance to enter the Student Travel Awards competition. You'll also receive a Student News quarterly email and industry update. Student members on accredited courses receive an automatic upgrade to licentiate membership when they graduate.
See a full list of LI-accredited courses.
Key skills for a landscape architect
You'll need to have:
- good design/drawing skills, including computer-aided design (CAD)
- a flair for design and an understanding of colours, textures, and placement
- the ability to interact with clients, contractors, surveyors, engineers and stakeholders
- a concern for the environment and an understanding of conservation issues
- project management skills to oversee projects and create proposals.
Landscape architect work experience
Relevant pre-entry experience is desirable as it shows your interest and commitment to the landscape profession. Most degree courses include industrial placements, but if yours doesn't, consider finding vacation or part-time work.
Anything in a landscape-based area will be useful, as will any work that involves design or creative skills. Volunteering for projects linked to the environment can also help.
To arrange a work placement or organisation visit, use the LI Practice Directory to find local practices and contact them about opportunities. Visit the LI website for volunteering information.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Who employs landscape architects?
Typical employers of landscape architects include:
- the construction industry
- education and research institutions
- local authorities
- private practices
- property development companies
- public bodies
- water companies.
In the public sector, landscape architects tend to work for environmental agencies, local authorities and government agencies. There are also opportunities within voluntary organisations.
In the private sector, landscape architects are largely employed by architect and landscape architect companies, or by companies specialising in landscape engineering.
Look for job vacancies at:
Recruitment agencies specialising in architecture, environment and construction are also a good source. These include:
Where can a career in landscape architecture lead?
The most important step in your career is obtaining chartered membership, as this demonstrates that you're a fully qualified landscape architect. Successful completion of an accredited undergraduate or postgraduate course will make you eligible for Licentiate Membership of the LI.
This is followed by a period of mentored experience, which is carried out while you work, as part of the Pathway to Chartership (P2C). Completion of the P2C leads to chartered status and full membership of the LI. The process of becoming chartered usually takes three years.
As a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute, you can use the letters CMLI after your name.
When you become chartered, you're required to carry out a minimum of 25 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) a year. This can be gained in a variety of ways, and the LI has details of CPD days and other useful events on its website. For those at the top of the profession, there is the opportunity to apply for Fellowship-level membership with the LI.
Beyond this, there are a variety of ways you can progress your career, including taking on greater responsibility, taking on a project, managing a team and specialising in a certain area.
With substantial experience and strong commercial awareness, you may progress to leading consultancy roles, become a partner in private practice, or set up your own business. To be successful in private practice, you'll need a good client and contact base as well as excellent experience, knowledge and skills.
Lecturing at higher education institutions is an alternative career option, or possibly something you could pursue part time to complement other work.
Place importance on keeping abreast of developments within the field of landscape architecture which are always changing and evolving.