For the developer, the landscape architect provides a variety of services, depending upon the nature of the site, whether residential or commercial, and the requirements of the development company. In order to discover how important developers consider the role of the landscape architect, “Landscape Architect & Specifier News” canvassed developers and project managers across the country for their opinions.

Those individuals interviewed were asked to comment on how important the landscape architect is to their overall project. They were also questioned as to whether or not they were actually involved in the selection of the landscape architectural firm for each project.

Jonathan Jaffe, Lanar Homes, Inc., Miami, Florida:

To Lanar Homes in Miami, the landscape architect plays an extremely important role in the conceptualization of any community, according to assistant vice-president Jonathan Jaffe. “The landscaping sets an atmosphere for the community that presents the character of the community to the prospective purchasers. As the community matures, and the landscaping matures with it, the landscaping then reflects the characteristics of an established community.

“Lanar Homes has been in the business for over 30 years and has built over 50,000 homes,” he added. “We know from this experience that proper planning of landscaping at the conceptual stage of a project is what enables established communities to look well kept so that the homeowners are proud to live in those communities. Then when we advertise any new communities under the name of Lanar Homes people know our developments are the type of communities they would like to live in.”

Lanar lilomes operates their own landscape architect and nurseries, Jaffe said. “Basically, I’m responsible for working with our landscape architect, Andrew Witkin, in reviewing the landscape plans developed by him.”

Hal Hiner, NTS Development Corporation, Louisville, Kentucky:

To NTS Development Corporation in Louisville, the landscape architect plays a vital role, according to Hal Hiner, vice president of development. “The landscape, in general, is the single most important factor in setting the tone in any type of residential development. Therefore, the landscape architect becomes a key member in the development team.

“In every project we do, landscape architecture is an important consideration. Our company’s reputation has been built for a large part on the landscape quality of all our projects, both residential and commercial.”

Typically, it is Hiner himself who selects the landscape architect for a specific project, he said. “There’s a firm in Louisville that we use quite a bit. We tend to use the same firm on several projects. After working together with us, they understand the NTS program and are better able on the next project to proceed with less interaction.”

Don Landis, Baywood Developers, Newport Beach, California:

Landscape architects are of paramount importance to Baywood Developers, an Orange County, California based development company, reported project manager Don Landis. “On some occasions, we’ve found that architects aren’t strong in site planning. We’re dependent on the landscape architect to come in and clean up the site planning. The landscape architect provides a strength for us there.

“It’s not just in site planning that the landscape architect plays a vital role,” he added, “but in exterior collection and design. I have to place the landscape architect very high on my list. To me, the landscape architect and architect have equal weight.”

The importance Landis gives the landscape architect in a project is also reflected in his involvement with the selection of a landscape architectural firm. “I’m very definitely involved with the selection process,” he said. “We’re a very small company. When it comes to the selection of a landscape architect, I initiate the list and contacts with the firm considered and then make the proposal to the company owner and our vice president of operations. The three of us then discuss the selection.”

Stuart Greene, The Pacifica Corporation, Westlake Village, California:

One of three project managers at the Pacifica Corporation, Stuart Greene finds landscape architects a vital component in his projects. “We’re involved with residential development and require landscape architects to provide the specialized look we need. They’re very important to our projects.

“We use them on every project. We try to utilize their talents to our best ad- j~ vantage. With the houses we’re doing right now, landscape architects are very critical. They’re involved with front yard development, slope work and model planning.”

When selecting a landscape architectural firm for a project, The Pacifica Corporation has the project manager involved in the process, Greene reported. “For the projects I’m involved with, I definitely am involved in the selection process. The project managers choose the firm in conjunction with operations, but they are involved with the choice. The project managers are also responsible for initiating and selecting the firms to be considered.”

David Adler, Adler-Ross Associates, Miami, Florida:

Landscape architects are involved with a project from the start at Adler-Ross Associates in Miami, Florida, commented David Adler. “We include the landscape architect as a team member from conception. My father was brought up in California so we look at the landscape architect the way a California firm does. We rely on the landscape architect very heavily.”

Adler-Ross Associates mainly utilizes one of two landscape architectural firms, either Mariano Corral and Associates from the Miami area or southern California-based Roger Presberger and Associates, Adler said. “When I’m formulating a new job I sit down with the two of them and decide who will give me the best look for that particular project. It usually depends on whether we need someone to do the site planning or not.

Bob Marrett, Sturgeon-Thornton-Marrett Development Company, Louisville, Kentucky:

The land concept is of vital importance to STM Development Company in Louisville, according to Bob Marrett. “The landscape architect is very important to us. We’ve worked with some brilliant landscape architects. In particular, they have one trait in common?EUR??,,????'??+they have a talent for bringing out the best of the natural characteristics of the site. The landscape architect is the one who gives character, feel and life to the concept that we have when we sit down and talk about the site.

“We work with what’s basically there in the natural environment of the area and blend the site ideas in. The landscape architect gives us something that meets that definition. It’s a lot of teamwork, but the landscape architect really takes the concept and transforms it into a living working concept.

Marrett added that he definitely is inscape architect for each project. “We tend to settle in with one or two landscape architects. It depends on where we’re working as to whose have do the work.”

David Cobey was cited by Marrett as a landscape architect who exemplifies the talents the development firm seeks. “He’s extremely sensitive to each project. He understands what developers want to accomplish, yet can blend the elements necessary to bring out the best in the site.”

Bob Hendrix, Forest Developers, Sherman Oaks, California:

Although Forest Developers in Sherman Oaks, California, doesn’t always require a landscape architect for its projects, there are times when a landscape architect is essential for the success of the development, according to Bob Hendix, director of leasing and management. “We’re a small development company, but with certain projects we rely on the skills of a landscape architect. Suffice it to say, to us, the landscape architect is very important.

“For example, the last project we did was the remodeling of an existing shopping center. We had to do some extensive landscape work, by adding to the existing building and incorporating it into the design. In that case, the talents of a landscape architect were a necessity.”

When it comes to the actual selection of a landscape architectural firm, for a particular project, the decision lies at the top, Hendrix said. “The developer himself chooses the firm best suited for @ each project. I really don’t have any involvement with the actual selection process. I’m more into the leasing and management of the property.”

Although responses varied, one comment was loud and clear from the developers and project managers interviewed?EUR??,,????'??+the landscape architect is considered a vital and integral component of a development project. Whether having their own landscape architect inhouse or selecting a landscape architectural firm for each project that best fits their needs, developers appreciate and rate highly the skills of a landscape architect to optimize a site’s potential.