Traditionally, the differences between a landscape architect and a landscape designer boil down to education and a primary focus on commercial projects vs. residential projects. That said there are six distinctions that set them apart:
If you’re planning to design a beautiful and functional outdoor oasis in 2024, engage a landscape designer or a landscape architect to move your project from concept to reality. As you explore the nuances of landscape designer vs landscape architect, DabneyCollins offers essential guidance. With a combined four decades of expertise, DabneyCollins is recognized as an industry leader in landscape design-build and landscape architecture, combining disciplines to spearhead some of the finest luxury outdoor spaces in the Southeast. We’ll help you navigate the important differences between the two professions so you understand their roles, responsibilities, and benefits and can choose the best partner for your design project, be it a landscape architect or a landscape designer.
To become a landscape architect you need a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree in landscape architecture from an LAAB-accredited institution, with three years of supervision under a licensed landscape architect following graduation. On the other hand, there is no singular nationwide education standard or apprenticeship mandate for a landscape designer. Many landscapers learn design on-the-job, opt for an associate’s degree in landscape design, a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture or a degree in a related field like horticulture.
Pursuant to receiving higher education and apprenticeship, only landscape architects are required to gain licensure by taking the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (LARE). There is no legal licensure for landscape designers, though many obtain a professional certification in landscape design from the APLD or NALP. That said, 15 states have landscape licensing requirements, which compel landscape designers in those states to obtain a state license for landscaping contractors and related landscaping services.
Landscape architecture is a regulated profession, and as a result of education, apprenticeship, and professional licensing, landscape architects typically work on large-scale commercial projects like public parks and gardens, neighborhood and waterfront developments, university campuses, and institutional facilities, to name a few. Conversely, landscape designers focus primarily on smaller-scale residential projects, including condos, private properties, office buildings, and even churches. Though landscape designers do not have an apprenticeship mandate, most acquire mastery through hands-on experience with residential garden design, landscape installation, and property maintenance while working under an already established designer.
A few major differences between architects and landscape designers are the expertise and day-to-day focus each has. Landscape architects understand local topography and spend considerable time designing commercial projects around natural contours and features of the land to create a design that is both functional and beautiful. Inherent in their design is a specialization in planning, restoration, and environmental conservation. For example, landscape architects are trained in soil gradation and slope and have the architectural expertise to overcome environmental obstructions. Throughout the design process, a licensed landscape architect ensures the landscape design-build complies with local drainage laws while intentionally reducing or recycling rainwater runoff and mitigating floods. This focus is essential for the safe design of public parks, corporate campuses, healthcare facilities, transportation infrastructure, educational institutions, waterfront and neighborhood developments, as well as plant and structural features.
Professional landscape designer’s work primarily focuses on residential properties with the goal to create beautiful backyard spaces. Plant and structural design integrates dynamic landscape features like pool landscape designs, landscape lighting designs, furniture, and water features.
If you’re wondering where to start, begin the conversation with a multidisciplinary landscape design firm that has a landscape architect on staff. Commercial landscape design projects require a landscape architect, while many residential landscape design projects do not. That said, collaboration across disciplines will incorporate principles of design and architecture, both for residential and commercial projects. Landscape design firms are well versed in working with blueprints, and a landscape architect’s work frequently relies on landscape designers to imagine, install, and fulfill garden maintenance. So ideally, landscape architects and designers will work together as a team, along with surveyors, engineers, and horticulturalists, to play essential roles in transforming ordinary outdoor environments into visually stunning and functional gardenscapes.
Landscape design is the art of creating outdoor spaces to be functional and visually beautiful for people to use and enjoy. Designers and architects plan and arrange the physical features of a landscape to encompass pathways, plants, water features, hardscapes, and structures based on the land’s natural geographic characteristics.
A landscape designer imagines, creates, and designs outdoor spaces, primarily for residential properties.
Based on the client’s property, climate, soil conditions, topography, and the intended use of the area, a landscape designer prepares a site plan, using computer-aided design and drafting software (CADD) to create and design outdoor spaces. Landscape designers meet with clients to share cost estimates, discuss preferences for design, landscape features, plants, maintenance, and budget, and then create a plan view in drawing. When approved by the client, the landscape designer works with contractors to implement the landscape design, oversee the construction process, and conduct site visits to monitor progress.
A landscape architect designs dynamic outdoor spaces for public and private use. They have a degree in landscape architecture and three years of supervision under a licensed architect. Working frequently on commercial properties, landscape architects use their expertise for larger, more complex outdoor spaces like parks, retail centers, college campuses, city features, land planning, historic preservation, public gardens, and plazas, to name a few.
