In his profession involving jobs in environmental science, the practice in landscaping architecture has been in the United States for the last one hundred years. The most dramatic growth in this profession, however, has occurred following the environmental movement of the 1960s, when the public pays respect for the protection of the natural resources that reached an all time high. Landscape architects have played a key role in the wise use of our natural resources while providing for the increasing housing and recreation needs of the American public.
In the early part of the twentieth century, landscape architects were employed mainly by the wealthy or by the government on public works projects. In 1918, an interest in the development of playground facilities originated and at about the same time the idea of the subdivision of large land holdings into lots for sale to individuals or companies was born. These two phases of growth, plus the addition of the automobile industry to the American scene, opened many new opportunities for landscape architects as well as its environmental employment. The development of recreational areas has become more important as the development of streets, bypasses, and parkways. Landscape architects are needed in most projects of this nature. Both public and private building has flourished since the end of World War II. Both developers and community planners have tended to draw upon the services of landscape architects more than ever.
With a specialty on environmental engineering jobs, the primary function of landscape architects is to plan and design outdoor spaces that make the best of the land and at the same time respect the special needs of the natural environment. To do this, they must have the combined talents of the scientist, architect, and the engineer. They concern themselves with the arrangement of and along with the objects included on it, such as land forms, buildings, shrubbery, plants, or trees, and open spaces. They may be involved in a number of different types of projects, including parks or gardens, scenic roads, housing projects, including parks or gardens, scenic roads, housing projects, college or high-school campuses, country clubs, cemeteries, or golf courses, and all of these in existence today in some way reflect the skill and talent of landscape architects. They may serve the members of a school board in planning a new elementary or high school, the manufacturer who wishes to develop a factory in a particular suburban location, homeowners hoping to improve the land surrounding their home, a governmental agency developing a master plan for a new military installation, or a city governmental agency planning a new suburban development or an urban renewal project.
Landscape architects perform the required services in his environmental career parallel to the client's wishes, as well as the funds available with which to carry out the project. They normally will begin the project by reviewing carefully the client's desires in regard to ultimate purpose, type of structures needed, funds available and those things surround the proposed constructions . They will then study the site itself, observing and mapping such features as the slope of the land, existing structures, plants, and trees. They will also consider different views of the site, shady and sunny areas, structure of the soil, and existing utilities including other special features. The landscape architects often consult with a number of different people, including engineers, architects, city officials, zoning experts, real estate agents, and brokers, landscape nursery workers, or others who may be involved in the project, so as to develop a complete understanding of the job. He or she will then develop drawings which will be presented to the client for approval. Some projects will take many months before these drawings are ready to be presented to the client for review.
In performing environmental manager jobs and upon receiving the approval of the client, the landscape architect develops the working drafts and outlines in detail the methods of construction concerning walks, terraces, or steps. He may also draw up lists of environmental-friendly materials to be used in completing the project. After developing the final plans and the materials list, the landscape architect invites construction companies to submit bids for the job. Depending upon the nature of the project and the contractual agreement, landscape architects may remain on the job and supervise the grading, construction, and planting or they may leave the project once work has begun. If they remain on the job, they will be the clients' representative until such time as the job is completed and clients have approved and accepted it, meeting their specifications. Known with his work relating with environmental science jobs, some landscape architects specialize in such projects as parks and playgrounds, waterfronts, campuses, hotels, and resorts, shopping centers, roads, or public housing with an emphasis on the preservation of the nature and environment.
