Are Landscape Architects Alpha Designers or Glorified Gardeners? The ASLA's DC HQ spent two years developing a statement to "Reframe" the profession, and instead of elevating the profession in the eyes of the development world they came up with this: The best way to describe what a Landscape Architect does, first and foremost, is that Landscape Architects support people's mental health by providing social connections and movement . . . ?!?

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Licensure of Landscape Architects is still in its infancy, as is the concept of the Landscape Architect. Heck, I'm not that old, yet I was coached by the very first Licensed Landscape Architect in the world, Raymond Page, FASLA. The fact is, while Buildings are cool, Landscapes are cooler . . . People are just beginning to realize how necessary a well-planned landscape is to every project. For a great many projects, the buildings are losing their allure, while the landscape is becoming more and more the main attraction. The trajectory for Landscape Architects has been steadily on the rise from 'Posy Planter' to 'Lead Designer' status around the world.

Think about it . . . One of the world's most famous Architects, Frank Lloyd Wright, is most famous for blending his building with the landscape, and by the time of his death, the first Landscape Architects were being licensed. Now, Landscape Architects are licensed in every state and leading projects around the world!

So . . . I'm having a hard time understanding why the focus out of DC is being shifted from aggressively defending and promoting the growth of the profession, to apologizing for, accepting ridicule about*, and politically polarizing the profession?

But maybe we're missing something . . . and with that we'd like to hear your opinion . . .

 

Tell Us Your Thoughts!

Which of these two statements (or version thereof) is a better starting point for conversations about the role of a Landscape Architect, and why?

"Landscape Architects are Alpha Designers. In any development, there's the building and there's the landscape. If it's not the Building Architect, then it's the Landscape Architect. Everything except the structure is the Landscape Architect's domain."

Or . . .

"Landscapes designed by Landscape Architects support people's physical and mental health and well-being because they have been intentionally created to foster social connections and encourage movement."


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You Can Help Shape the Profession!

As we indicated, This is your chance to shape the profession. Please don't be rude, but feel free to be blunt. We won't print or publish your name without your explicit permission. But we would like to know what you're thinking!

To share your opinion, please send an email to Editorial@landscapearchitect.com with your comments, or follow this link to the survey:
https://landscapearchitect.com/lime2/index.php/682914?lang=en

We appreciate your time and dedication to this most special of professions!