Landscape Achitecture

Landscape architecture speaks for itself. You can see it in professionally-designed residential properties, public parks and playgrounds, parkways and golf courses. The purpose of landscape architecture is to create spaces that are functional and beautiful. Residential landscape architects plan the location of flowers, shrubs, and trees, and the arrangement of hardscape elements, such as outdoor water fountains, arbors and gazebos, and luxury swimming pools. They are also charged with designing and planning landscapes that suit the natural environment and conditions.

Landscape Architects: Background

Who can deliver landscape design? To become a landscape architect usually requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in landscape. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are two undergraduate professional degrees: a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA). Typically, these degrees entail four or five years of study in design, construction techniques, art, history, and natural and social sciences.

For landscape architects seeking advanced degrees, there are two routes. Those who hold undergraduate degrees in landscape architecture can earn their Masters (MLA) in two years. If you hold an undergraduate degree in a field other than landscape architecture and want to go into landscape architecture, the MLA usually takes three years of full-time study.

In 2007, 61 U.S. colleges and universities offered 79 undergraduate and graduate programs in landscape architecture that were accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

The Steps

Working with home architects, surveyors, engineers and contractors, landscape architects help determine the best arrangement of the property’s elements. Landscape architects, in collaboration with these professionals, create detailed plans indicating new topography, vegetation, walkways, and other landscaping details, such as outdoor kitchens, gate placement and other decorative features.

In the preliminary stages, landscape architects first study the project as a whole. They consider the wants and needs of the homeowner and the available budget. They analyze the natural elements of the site, such as the climate, soil, slope of the land, drainage, and vegetation; observe where sunlight falls on the site at different times of the day and different times of the year; and assess the effect of the existing neighborhood, roads, walkways, and utilities.

The next step in the process is the conceptual design phase that develops out of the meeting notes, site analysis, program of uses, and the architect’s experience. At this conceptual level, a landscape architect conveys the overall design intent, such as the general use areas and their sizes, material choices, irrigation systems, drainage systems, lawn areas, and plantings. An overall cost study is developed from the conceptual landscaping design as well.

Once you have agreed on the overall design intent, sizes of use areas, general material selections and their applications, you are ready to begin the landscaping design development and construction phase. The documentation for this phase includes landscaping design drawings for permitting, drawings to convey final design intent, and construction documents, which include specifications for materials and their installation.

These drawings may be accompanied by a full package of additional drawings to include an existing site survey, elevation plan, a plan for tree disposition and tree preservation, landscape planting plan, landscape lighting plan, and construction details for the above plans.

About the Author

Exterior Worlds
Specializing in
Landscape Architecture

Envision the Future – Exploring Energy Technologies

Expresso AG50s Navigation & Golf GPS $199.95 Expresso AG50s Navigation & Golf GPS The Expresso AG50s Automotive and Golf GPS is the ultimate GPS device for the traveling golfer. Featuring dual processors, a bright 3.75? LCD touch screen, and a Swiss-made 50-satellite receiver, the AG50s provides the most accurate GPS on the course by displaying key distances for each hole for over 25,000 preloaded courses worldwide. The AG50s is also loaded with all of the features expected in a premium automotive navigation device, including text-to-speech, multiple destination route planning, automatic daynight mode, over 6 million points of interest POIs , a simple, easy to use interface, and automotive mapping data by NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of road maps.Whether you are driving down the fairway or driving down the freeway, the AG50s is there for you. Multimedia capability adds to the incredible value of the AG50s. You can listen to music, watch videos, and view your favorite photos. With its unique, incorporated cup holder and dash mount designs combined with its multi-functionality, the AG50s is truly in a league of its own. Golf GPS Features ? Preloaded with front, center, and back of the green distances, as well as hazards for the United States including Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico , Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland over 25,000 Courses ? Ready to use out of the box without downloading any additional software or added subscription costs ? 50-channel reception ensures fast, consistent and reliable satellite connection across the globe ? Automatic course recognition and auto hole advance ? Shot distance measurement capability allows you to track exactly how far you hit any of your clubs and aids in achieving lower scores through more accurate shot-planning ? Scorekeeping capabilities for up to four players ? USGA and R&A compliant ? Expresso has partnered with iGolf, a pioneer in the golf GPS industry, for their software which has been relied upon by golfers worldwide since 2003. iGolf employs a full-time, dedicated mapping and audit team to verify that all course maps and data are up-to-date and accurate. Automotive GPS Features ? Voice prompted turn-by-turn directions with clearly spoken street names via text-to-speech TTS for the USA including Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico and Canada ? Extended Points of Interest POI database 6.5 million in total ? Dash Mount function provides easy view of the screen and eliminates windshield obstructions and the need for suction cups and dangling power cords ? Intuitive, easy-to-use interface with stunning 2D and 3D map views ? Favorites and Recent Destination features allow for quick, easy navigation ? Multiple destination route planning ? ZIP Code search allows for quick locating of destinations without the need to type full city names ? Optimum Route Profile Settings Adjust for toll roads, highways, and fastest routes ? Automatic DayNight mode ? Speed limit display for

Celestron Course Pro Golf GPS $99.95 Celestron CoursePro Golf GPS CoursePro is a line of GPS devices that assist golfers on the golf course. The LCDs display distances to the front, center and back of the green for each hole along with the par. The devices calculate your shot distance and are backlit for viewing in low light. The information provided by each CoursePro GPS product gives the golfer up to the minute accurate, crucial information that will guarantee a competitive edge. Features: Celestron CoursePro Golf GPS Includes 5 FREE course downloads 50 Course Capacity in Memory Displays Distance to frontcenterback of green Shot Distance Calculator shows distance from the point where you stand to the green Course Card Display ? par info Course Edit ? user can manually calculate frontcenterback of green if needed Backlight for viewing in low light WAAS enabled Satellite Signal Display on LCD ? high Sensitivity SiRF Star III ? 20 parallel channels Real Time Display on LCD Water Resistant ? IPX6 Spec 12 Languages ? for text EnglishMetric ? yardsmeters Battery Included ? Rechargeable Lithium Ion 1100maH Life 8 to 10 hrs Battery Status display on LCD Includes Belt Clip Mini USB Cable AC Adapter-wall USA Plug or USB for charging Pouch Carry Case Temperature -10 to 60? 14 to 140?F 2 Year Warranty 5 Free Courses, then $35 one time fee for unlimited courses, or $2.99 per course CoursePro is a line of GPS devices that assist golfers on the golf course. They provide information on an LCD screen about downloaded golf courses that are stored in their memory. The LCDs display distances to the front, center and back of the green for each hole along with the par. The devices calculate your shot distance and are backlit for viewing in low light. The information provided by each CoursePro GPS product gives the golfer up to the minute accurate, crucial information that will guarantee a competitive edge. CoursePro connects to a PC via a USB cable for accessing an online database of 20,000 golf courses from the Celestron CoursePro website for individual download. It is

Golf Course Designs $45 In this beautifully illustrated book, Tom Fazio shows golfers the inner workings of a master golf designer’s mind. Fazio talks about his designs that are based on common sense and practical experience gained over a period of thirty-five years, and they are presented in a clear and easy-to-understand fashion. Fazio does not believe in short-cuts or excuses, only results, and those results can be seen in the magnificent photographs by the team of John and Jeannine Henebry and other fine photographers.

Celestron Course Pro Elite Golf GPS $149.95 Celestron CoursePro Elite Golf GPS CoursePro is a line of GPS devices that assist golfers on the golf course. The LCDs display distances to the front, center and back of the green for each hole along with the par. The devices calculate your shot distance and are backlit for viewing in low light. The information provided by each CoursePro GPS product gives the golfer up to the minute accurate, crucial information that will guarantee a competitive edge. Features: Celestron CoursePro Elite Golf GPS Includes 5 FREE course downloads 100 Course Capacity in Memory Scorecard Data Hazard Map ? entered manually 6 points Manually Create a New Course Displays Distance to frontcenterback of green Shot Distance Calculator shows distance from the point where you stand to the green Course Card Display ? par info Course Edit ? user can manually calculate frontcenterback of green if needed Backlight for viewing in low light WAAS enabled Satellite Signal Display on LCD ? high Sensitivity SiRF Star III ? 20 parallel channels Real Time Display on LCD Water Resistant ? IPX6 Spec 12 Languages ? for text EnglishMetric ? yardsmeters Battery Included ? Rechargeable Lithium Ion 1100maH Life 8 to 10 hrs Battery Status display on LCD Includes Belt Clip Mini USB Cable AC Adapter-wall USA Plug or USB for charging Pouch Carry Case Temperature -10 to 60° 14 to 140°F 2 Year Warranty 5 Free Courses, then $35 one time fee for unlimited courses, or $2.99 per course CoursePro is a line of GPS devices that assist golfers on the golf course. They provide information on an LCD screen about downloaded golf courses that are stored in their memory. The LCDs display distances to the front, center and back of the green for each hole along with the par. The devices calculate your shot distance and are backlit for viewing in low light. The information provided by each CoursePro GPS product gives the golfer up to the minute accurate, crucial inform

Consider It Golf $14.95 Consider It Golf by Susan Greene is her third in a series of very popular golf theme children?s books. Her previous two, The ABC?s of Golf and Count on Golf have opened a whole new market of golf related children?s books. Consider It Golf is a book filled with informative rhymes and vivid illustrations that teach golf etiquette and course safety. From repairing your divot to being a good sport, the beginner golfer is introduced to proper conduct on the golf course. As in her previous books, illustrations by Dagne Angersbach Klavins help to captivate the attention of young children interested in learning golf.

Comments are closed