What is the difference between Landscape Architecture and Landscape Design?

Rating: 3.7 after 5 votes

This may seem like a simple question with a simple answer. But, after talking with a few of my landscape designer friends the other night, I found out that it is not quite so simple.

I'd be interested to hear what you think...

Tags: architecture, design, landscape

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Permalink Reply by Eli Paddle on March 2, 2010 at 5:52pm: As a landscape architect who teaches both landscape design and landscape architecture, I can say its not an easy task to differentiate between the two. Scale is usually the biggest difference...generally LA's work on larger scale sites at a coarser level of detail whereas LD's generally work on smaller sites at a much more resolved level of detail. These are generalizations and there is a great deal of overlap in actual practice. Ultimately the only true point of definition is a legal one in that a landscape designer cannot define themselves as a landscape architect where a name act applies.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by George Boone on March 3, 2010 at 8:34am: I think landscape architecture involves the grading and technicalities more than landscape design. Landscape design also deals with these, but with not as much emphasis.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nick Aceto on March 3, 2010 at 11:26am: Main Entry: 1de·sign
Pronunciation: \di-ˈzīn\
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, to outline, indicate, mean, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French designer to designate, from Medieval Latin designare, from Latin, to mark out, from de- + signare to mark — more at sign
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan : devise, contrive
2 a : to conceive and plan out in the mind b : to have as a purpose : intend c : to devise for a specific function or end
3 archaic : to indicate with a distinctive mark, sign, or name
4 a : to make a drawing, pattern, or sketch of b : to draw the plans for
intransitive verb
1 : to conceive or execute a plan
2 : to draw, lay out, or prepare a design

— de·sign·ed·ly \-ˈzī-nəd-lē\ adverb

Main Entry: ar·chi·tec·ture
Pronunciation: \ˈär-kə-ˌtek-chər\
Function: noun
Date: 1555
1 : the art or science of building; specifically : the art or practice of designing and building structures and especially habitable ones
2 a : formation or construction resulting from or as if from a conscious act b : a unifying or coherent form or structure
3 : architectural product or work
4 : a method or style of building
5 : the manner in which the components of a computer or computer system are organized and integrated; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nick Aceto on March 3, 2010 at 11:55am: I guess the difference to me is that I can design something but I cant really architecture something, though that thing I design could be considered architecture. Most architects are also designers, though many designers would not consider themselves architects, whether or not they design stuff.

Otherwise, I've seen just as many unqualified for the other on both ends- In other words, I've worked with designers who are unqualified to call themselves an 'Architect,' while I've certainly also worked with many 'Architects' who just shouldn't be designers.

I'd be just as happy with calling myself a designer as calling myself Architect.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patty Lundeen Hume on March 3, 2010 at 11:47am: What is the difference? Licensure. I have an MLA. I am a LEED AP. I have 10 years professional work experience. But I am not a licensed Landscape Architect so legally I always refer to myself as a Landscape Designer.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jean Marcucci on March 6, 2010 at 6:02am: There is alot of crossover in trying to differentiate between LAs and LDs.

I do not hire a chemical engineer to make me a vodka martini, although the man I love happens to be one and he does make a mean martini. But so does John at my favorite martini bar, and he is not a ChemE.

If my back is sore, I might go to my GP for some prescription anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants; or I could go have a massage or a chiropractic adjustment; or I might be more careful about my posture over the computer; or I might take a yoga class. I doubt I would see a brain surgeon, however. That said, I would not see a chiropractor if an MRI revealed I had brain cancer.

You get my point. It just depends. Often there is more than one appropriate solution. There are situations where things are best left to those who specialize and other times it doesn't matter. At the design/build firm where I work, I frequently cost for bid projects that were designed by LAs or Engineers. (These projects are almost always public spaces.) I have seen really good, clear, concise plans that are easy to cost, wonderful to look at and are easy for our site crews to follow, and there are those speced with invasive plant materials (one firm uses the same plants in every design I have seen.) Sometimes the graphics for paving are so unclear it makes costing them a gamble. One LA firm refused to answer my questions when I called--said they were much too busy to talk to me. I have also worked with homeowners on planting components of projects where a family member did a beautiful job building a deck or terrace, while in compliance with all township codes--there are good craftsmen out there. And I have seen some nightmares on the DIY front, too.

All this aside, I consider myself a design professional; I have put in the time and have the academics to back it up. I behave responsibly to the Earth, to my clients, to my colleagues. I would happily work side by side with a LA, an LD, a carpenter or a gardener as there is strength in diversity and give repspect to all points of view; our success would be measured on how well we satisfied the client. There will always be someone more expert than myself, and that has nothing to do with title. We all become better at what we do when we learn from each other. Each day, we all engage in "tasks" that make up our work--deadlines to meet, meetings to attend--all of that--no matter what our title. It is troubling to me that there is a sentiment that LDs are not as good as LAs. I get back to my earlier point--it just depends. John's martini tastes just as good as Rob's and I'm on my way to yoga class.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Craig Anthony on March 6, 2010 at 7:12pm: My first job out of school was at a medium sized design/build firm, where I my boss was a Landscape Designer; he was an older gent who never took the exam. Although I had learned basic design principles in school, I was taught very little about detailed landscape design. I didn’t understand how the various materials joined together or abutted one another. Almost all of my academic projects were “macro” or master planning in scale.

I have found that a good portion of the Landscape Architects pay very little attention to details. No matter how large a project is, it should still be designed down to the smallest visible detail. It matters where expansion and control joints fall on a concrete plaza. And the planting plan is just as important as the layout and materials plan. These are the things a lot of us LA s miss or don’t care about. So I am thankful for my training under a good Landscape Designer. It has made me a better Landscape Architect.

There are Landscape Designers out there who have all the knowledge, skills and abilities that a Registered Landscape Architect would have. Not all Landscape Designers are exterior decorators. From a client standpoint, it depends on the project scope and the individual working on your project as to which is best.

I agree with the previous posts that state that the primary difference is the license and liability that goes along with it. But, having a professional license can definitely provide a person with more entrepreneurial opportunities.

I have no problem being called Landscape Architect or Landscape Designer. As long as I can make a living doing the kind of projects that I want to do I’m good.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jennifer de Graaf, RLA on March 7, 2010 at 10:08am: http://www.latc.ca.gov/laws_regs/permittedpractice.shtml; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Eric Gilbey on March 7, 2010 at 1:38pm: Jennifer, I'm really glad you shared this link. I hope everyone has a chance to see this.
As a landscape architect and landscape designer, I'm frustrated that the landscape architects of California actually let language such as this exist, virtually forcing landscape designers to only get specific about planting plans. Does it not seem a bit elitist to think that landscape designers have to be limited to conceptual in everything else. Would it really be dangerous to the practice of site design if a landscape designer actually put dimensions on a residential patio, allowing a contractor to know specifically what the designer expected? Or for a designer who wants to help a client prepare a container garden for their yard or patio know the proper size for the proposed plantings and their root zones and to make sure such containers will drain, etc.?
In Ohio, I was a part of the ASLA Ex Comm when we sought a title and practice law to replace our title law. We spent most of our time forming the language so as not to exclude reasonable areas of overlapping practice, including that of professionals who did not have a license requirement in the state (ie landscape designers and contractors). Our legislative effort went through many rewrites to ensure the language not only met our needs as landscape architects, in specifying our rights to practice where other licensed professions already had overlap, but we also wanted it to allow for others to practice as they already had been within private projects.
I would really hope that California's LATC reconsider some of this language and recognize that allowing landscape designers to be more specific than "conceptual" is really okay, particularly where private/residential projects are concerned.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by wemby on March 13, 2010 at 5:15am: landscape architect is more general than landscape designer, so landscape designer was part of landscape Architect. however, landscape architect means landscape designer but landscape designer is not always Landscape Architect.

I think^^; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Keith Buzzelli on March 15, 2010 at 12:38pm: I really thought I knew the answer to this question but I only get more frustrated when I look at the facts. I got the degree and got the license, all the while looking forward to being a 'professional' with the same recognition as architects and engineers. But to my dismay it seems that in the eyes of NJ building departments landscape architects have zero authority. In most townships an architect is required to sign off on everything from simple sonotube footings to deck framing to seatwall footings. So where does that leave us as landscape architects? It tosses us right back in the pool of landscape designers who are not required to have the schooling and experience and testing. Sure I value my credentials and training, but after all that hardship to get where I am I find that I can legally only do what grandma does in her spare time.
Sorry if this sounded like a rant but the question strikes a nerve with me. I think the ASLA needs to step it up and start fighting for the team.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Samuel Sebastian on March 29, 2010 at 11:07am: Here's what I learn...
Theoritically, in GENERAL, landscape architecture has 3 main aspect:
1. Landscape planning... Person: Landscape planner or landscape architect
- This considered as the one who got the idea and concept. Many people call this as landscape architect...
2. Landscape design... Person: Landscape designer or drafter...
- This considered as the detail of landscape planning. Their work is so much with detail drawing and bill of quantities... They're the one who create the posters and presentation...
PS: number 1 & 2 could be at the same person
3. Landscape management... Person: Landscape manager...
- This is the different one... They work is calculating the management plan, maintaining garden/park.

And, at practical world, landscape architecture has 4 main subject industry:
1. Landscape planner/designer... They're the one who give the drawing... We may call it landscape architect...
2. Landscape contractor... Who made the drawing from landscape planner/designer become real...
3. Landscape nursery... Who got the stock of plant...
4. Landscape manager... Who working with the maintenance and management of landscape...

But, as long as we working with function and aestetics, as long as we keep the earth in good shape,
in GENERAL, we are all landscape architect.; ▶ Reply to This