5 answers
Jennifer
Student
Fernley, Nevada
2
Questions
Asked
680 views
what are the differences between landscape architecture and just architecture?
I'm stuck on deciding which major I should choose next year for uni, what are the main differences between the two majors? which open to more opportunities? and which is overall the better major?
thank you in advance.
#architecture #architect #college-major #major
5 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1366
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE VS. ARCHITECTURE
Jennifer Landscape architects and architects both work in design. The key difference between a landscape architect and an architect is the focus of what they design. Landscape architects focus on designing outdoor areas while architects design building plans.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE – Involves the design of outdoor spaces, such as parks and playgrounds. Landscape architects create designs that meet both functional and aesthetic requirements. Landscape architects shape the landscape for both artistic and practical purposes. They draw their designs, prepare miniature models, attend landscaping meetings and supervise construction. Landscape architects must be licensed in all states. Although states differ on their education and experience requirements, most states require successful completion of the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (LARE). In this interdisciplinary field of study, students study biology, ecology, design, engineering, urban planning, botany and construction. Students should understand basic plant sciences as well as design principles and theory.
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION – Associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs are available in landscape architecture. Professional and graduate certificates are also offered. Bachelor's degree programs take 4-5 years to complete and are the most prevalent type of program; many states require a minimum of a Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture for students to be eligible for licensure. Schools offer master's degree options for students with and without a design background. Students without a design background may be required to take additional courses. Graduates can work in a number of settings, including city planning offices, private landscape companies or in the housing industry.
SALARY OUTLOOK – According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of employed landscape architects was predicted to increase by 4% between 2020 to 2028, which is considered an average level of job growth. The mean annual salary for landscape architects was $74,000.
ARCHITECTURE – Architects design buildings for public or private use, including homes, sports complexes, schools, museums and convention centers. Their duties begin at the initial planning stages of a project and may include conceptual development of the structure, budget planning, supervision of the construction process and acquisition of building permits. Throughout the design and development of a building project, architects apply their knowledge of engineering, construction, materials and cost control. Architects also need to consider aesthetic values, client specifications, building codes and safety regulations. This field requires artistic abilities, spatial perception, math skills and computer proficiency.
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION – Architectural professionals typically must complete a program of study accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). In many cases, these programs come in the form of 5-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degrees. Individuals who have a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, or a bachelor's degree in a different area, may complete the professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) to qualify for licensure. Architects must also become licensed; requirements vary by state but typically entail completing a supervised internship that lasts about three years and passing the Architect Registration Examination. Licensure generally must be maintained on a regular basis through completion of continuing education.
SALARY OUTLOOK – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the number of positions for architects is expected to grow by 8% in the 2020-2028 decade. Competition will still be keen for entry-level jobs and employment in high-status architectural firms. Those who have completed internships in college and demonstrate distinctive creativity may enjoy the greatest employment prospects. BLS data also indicates that architects received mean annual earnings of $89,500.
Jennifer Aspiring landscape architects may be interested in exploring a career as a regional planner, since regional planners work on design plans for communities, which includes determining where buildings and parks will be located. Those interested in architecture may also want to consider civil engineering, since civil engineers also work on design plans for things such as bridges.
Hope this was Helpful Jennifer
Jennifer Landscape architects and architects both work in design. The key difference between a landscape architect and an architect is the focus of what they design. Landscape architects focus on designing outdoor areas while architects design building plans.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE – Involves the design of outdoor spaces, such as parks and playgrounds. Landscape architects create designs that meet both functional and aesthetic requirements. Landscape architects shape the landscape for both artistic and practical purposes. They draw their designs, prepare miniature models, attend landscaping meetings and supervise construction. Landscape architects must be licensed in all states. Although states differ on their education and experience requirements, most states require successful completion of the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (LARE). In this interdisciplinary field of study, students study biology, ecology, design, engineering, urban planning, botany and construction. Students should understand basic plant sciences as well as design principles and theory.
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION – Associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs are available in landscape architecture. Professional and graduate certificates are also offered. Bachelor's degree programs take 4-5 years to complete and are the most prevalent type of program; many states require a minimum of a Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture for students to be eligible for licensure. Schools offer master's degree options for students with and without a design background. Students without a design background may be required to take additional courses. Graduates can work in a number of settings, including city planning offices, private landscape companies or in the housing industry.
SALARY OUTLOOK – According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of employed landscape architects was predicted to increase by 4% between 2020 to 2028, which is considered an average level of job growth. The mean annual salary for landscape architects was $74,000.
ARCHITECTURE – Architects design buildings for public or private use, including homes, sports complexes, schools, museums and convention centers. Their duties begin at the initial planning stages of a project and may include conceptual development of the structure, budget planning, supervision of the construction process and acquisition of building permits. Throughout the design and development of a building project, architects apply their knowledge of engineering, construction, materials and cost control. Architects also need to consider aesthetic values, client specifications, building codes and safety regulations. This field requires artistic abilities, spatial perception, math skills and computer proficiency.
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION – Architectural professionals typically must complete a program of study accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). In many cases, these programs come in the form of 5-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degrees. Individuals who have a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, or a bachelor's degree in a different area, may complete the professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) to qualify for licensure. Architects must also become licensed; requirements vary by state but typically entail completing a supervised internship that lasts about three years and passing the Architect Registration Examination. Licensure generally must be maintained on a regular basis through completion of continuing education.
SALARY OUTLOOK – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the number of positions for architects is expected to grow by 8% in the 2020-2028 decade. Competition will still be keen for entry-level jobs and employment in high-status architectural firms. Those who have completed internships in college and demonstrate distinctive creativity may enjoy the greatest employment prospects. BLS data also indicates that architects received mean annual earnings of $89,500.
Jennifer Aspiring landscape architects may be interested in exploring a career as a regional planner, since regional planners work on design plans for communities, which includes determining where buildings and parks will be located. Those interested in architecture may also want to consider civil engineering, since civil engineers also work on design plans for things such as bridges.
Hope this was Helpful Jennifer
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Doc Frick
Katherine Colburn
Civil Engineer
15
Answers
Ogden, Utah
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
Architects are more like artists than engineers, though a strong foundation in building principles is also crucial and both will require professional licensure.
There's a truism in the professions that architects design what something should look like while engineers figure out how it's going to stay upright without falling down.
Architects often focus specifically on the "built" environment, including how to design signature office or living spaces, monumental structures like bridges, or even memorials and monuments. Intensive studio classes on the design process are the norm.
Landscape architects focus on designing integrations between built and natural environments, which can include the selection of plants and compost regimens, knowledge of drainage and erosion control, and a fair bit of environmental and sustainability practice (like Low Impact Development / LID).
Architects will often train in schools of design and/or planning and share some classes on mathematics and building principles, though not nearly to the same extent as civil or structural engineers. Aesthetics are very important in architecture, while avoiding structural failure is the focus of civil engineering design!
In my opinion, the most flexible or transferable major is one you haven't listed and the one where I currently practice: civil engineering.
However, the combination of civil engineering and architectural design results in another option that's also not listed: architectural engineers, who combine cutting-edge design principles with deep technical understanding. While the disciplines are often split, there are a few programs out there which combine the two.
I encourage you to explore shared course options in each major and see where your interests lead you.
There's a truism in the professions that architects design what something should look like while engineers figure out how it's going to stay upright without falling down.
Architects often focus specifically on the "built" environment, including how to design signature office or living spaces, monumental structures like bridges, or even memorials and monuments. Intensive studio classes on the design process are the norm.
Landscape architects focus on designing integrations between built and natural environments, which can include the selection of plants and compost regimens, knowledge of drainage and erosion control, and a fair bit of environmental and sustainability practice (like Low Impact Development / LID).
Architects will often train in schools of design and/or planning and share some classes on mathematics and building principles, though not nearly to the same extent as civil or structural engineers. Aesthetics are very important in architecture, while avoiding structural failure is the focus of civil engineering design!
In my opinion, the most flexible or transferable major is one you haven't listed and the one where I currently practice: civil engineering.
However, the combination of civil engineering and architectural design results in another option that's also not listed: architectural engineers, who combine cutting-edge design principles with deep technical understanding. While the disciplines are often split, there are a few programs out there which combine the two.
I encourage you to explore shared course options in each major and see where your interests lead you.
Bill Brown
Development Executive
39
Answers
Dobbs Ferry, New York
Updated
Bill’s Answer
Jennifer,
Architecture and Landscape Architecture are both creative fields, however differ in the palette in which they design. Architects are responsible for the overall vision of a project to include site design, building design and interior design. Most Architects will collaborate with Landscape and Interior designers to focus on each given aspect of the project. The Landscape Architect will design exterior environment to include hardscape, plantings, site amenities etc.
I hope this helps.
Bill
Architecture and Landscape Architecture are both creative fields, however differ in the palette in which they design. Architects are responsible for the overall vision of a project to include site design, building design and interior design. Most Architects will collaborate with Landscape and Interior designers to focus on each given aspect of the project. The Landscape Architect will design exterior environment to include hardscape, plantings, site amenities etc.
I hope this helps.
Bill
Paul Lau,Ph.D.
4
Answers
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I suppose you asked about the major. My brother-in-law got a degree in architecture from Rice and built some garages etc. Now he has been a landscape architect for many years. So you can see that you can diversify with a general degree and not a narrow degree.
I would choose architecture
Paul recommends the following next steps:
Hey Paul, could you please elaborate on the difference between the two?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Luke Durkin, NCARB, AIA
Architect
24
Answers
Lakewood, Colorado
Updated
Luke’s Answer
LA's focus on the plantings and surface finishes as well as irrigation (though I think they often use specific irrigation consultants). In the area of site work, Architects look more at the big picture of what paths are needed to connect what and their accessibility. Then civil engineers handle the grading and drainage. Architects sometimes venture in the landscaping on smaller projects for example a development of 25 townhouses. In that example we used the city's requirements for street trees and detention ponds to select plantings then the rest was grass and groundcover (like rock, much, etc) The design of site amenities and selection of products, like shade structures, playgrounds, outdoor kitchens, and site furniture is often done by both, it depends on if a LA is involved in a project and to what extent.
Contractually LA's are consultants hired by architects. One of the main roles of architects is as the overall project manager, coordinating all the consultants (MEP, Structural and Civil Engineers, Sustainability Consultants, Acoustic consultants, Interior Designers, etc.)
This is with regard to projects focused on buildings. I'll have to let others speak to other LA work like parks, stormwater features, and golf courses where buildings are a minor part if any.
Contractually LA's are consultants hired by architects. One of the main roles of architects is as the overall project manager, coordinating all the consultants (MEP, Structural and Civil Engineers, Sustainability Consultants, Acoustic consultants, Interior Designers, etc.)
This is with regard to projects focused on buildings. I'll have to let others speak to other LA work like parks, stormwater features, and golf courses where buildings are a minor part if any.
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