Environmental Design
Take me to the Landscape Architecture information on the Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Department website.
The Field
Of the several environmental design professions, landscape architecture is the one most concerned with the wise use of the outdoor environment. It attempts to fit human outdoor activities into the natural or the built environment so that those activities function efficiently, have high visual quality and will have minimal impact on natural systems. Together with planners, architects, and civil engineers, landscape architects plan and design the myriad of elements that make up our cities and towns.The profession of landscape architecture in this country began with the work of Frederick Law Olmsted. Active in his profession from the mid-1850s to the mid-1890s, Olmsted was involved with the full range of effort implied above. Today, because our society is more complex, many landscape architects tend to focus on one or more aspects of the profession such as: urban, rural, small scale, large scale, design, planning, construction supervision, or combinations thereof. A tremendous diversity of effort is required in the profession.
The Major
The Bachelor of Science Program in Landscape Architecture focuses on visual, physical, ecological, cultural, and design issues encountered in the urbanizing landscape. Its primary objective is to educate and train professionals who are prepared to engage future design problems and advance the state of the art. A diverse and internationally recognized faculty is much involved in educational, research, and professional activities in landscape planning, design, and computer applications.
Our fundamental concern is the wise use of land and natural resources. As the public becomes increasingly aware of and sophisticated about environmental issues, opportunities for professional landscape architects can be expected to increase rapidly.
Landscape architects serve as mediators between developers and a site to ensure that development does not unduly disrupt natural systems, fits within the cultural context, and is aesthetically pleasing. They design and plan parks, residential communities, university campuses, corporate headquarters, and open space networks. The landscape architect’s planning and design decisions are of critical significance to both the immediate and long-term future.
Students who enroll in the program as freshmen can earn a B.S. degree in Landscape Architecture in four years. In addition to the University’s General Education requirements, the landscape architecture core curriculum consists of five interrelated areas or sequences. See the program website for details.
The Future
The public concern for the natural environment and for high- quality built environments has increased professional employment opportunities in landscape architecture. Currently landscape architecture is among the fastest growing design careers in the nation. Types of work include:
• Park and recreation planning and design
• Regional planning and management projects
• Resort development and golf course design
• Urban design (streetscapes, urban development)
• Coastal facilities (developments and protection)
• Historic preservation
• Land reclamation
• Design-build enterprises
• Land trusts and environmental organizations
As implied above, landscape architects work at a range of scales and interests. They are employed in private practice, in public agencies and in academic practice.
Internships and Study Abroad
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences strongly encourages study abroad for one or two semesters. Experiencing another culture in all its complexity is a unique way to assimilate a different vantage point from one’s own heritage. Study abroad often develops a higher level of maturity which employers may seek. Go to the International Programs Office for details about study abroad opportunities around the world.
More specifically, opportunities exist in the Landscape Architecture program for study abroad. In the fall semester of the senior year, students may go to Copenhagen to study in Denmark’s International Study Program. The program deals with both architecture and landscape architecture, and the city provides an exciting context for urban studies. Other opportunities for exchange exist in England and New Zealand. A study tour course is offered each spring focusing on a nine-day intensive tour of one or more cities in Europe. Recent trips have visited and studied Holland, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Germany.
In addition, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences encourages students to acquire practical experience—as much as possible—related to their majors. Internships, or participating in Community Service Learning options can only help students prepare for employment or graduate study.
More Information: Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning; 413.545.2255
