Landscape Fetish: What is landscape Architecture?

Hmmmm.. what a great question. When I tell people that I'm a landscape architect, they look a little confused then they ask what is that? Or do I mow people lawns..no, that's a landscaper. Well, let me explain. The simple definition would be.

land·scape ar·chi·tec·ture (noun): The art and practice of designing the outdoor environment.

If you still need a little bit more definition, then let me explain further.

"Landscape architecture is the profession which applies artistic and scientific principles to the research, planning, design and management of both natural and built environments. Practitioners of this profession apply creative and technical skills and scientific, cultural and political knowledge in the planned arrangement of natural and constructed elements on the land with a concern for the stewardship and conservation of natural, constructed and human resources. The resulting environments shall serve useful, aesthetic, safe and enjoyable purposes."

Bottom line, all the great outdoor spaces that you enjoy in your back yard (pool, deck, water features, garden, ponds, e.t.c), parks, golf courses, streetscapes, landscape around commercial buildings, residential buildings with all the pretty flowers and trees are being designed and created by a landscape architect or landscape designer. This type of profession has so creative and fantastic that it would take me days to explain. Being able to transform a space into an outdoor environment that allows people to enjoy and be happy is so satisfying to me. It's also satisfying to educate people on something that's different, interesting and forever changing. I can honestly say that I absolutely LOVE what I do!