Understanding Landscape Architecture And Its Importance.
Updated: Oct 26, 2022
Architecture is the necessary bubble to compete against the population and create housing. While countries pick battles to embed innovative elements in it, many forget to consider the deadly impact it carries along. According to a study, buildings alone are responsible for 40% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. But with the evolution of designs and our responsibility towards the environment, techniques like landscape architecture are gaining momentum.
However, when I looked on the internet, there was hardly a webpage containing all the crucial information about it. To keep it simple (which is also the name of our new podcast), I formed a brief yet detailed study on it. In this article, you will learn,
So, What Is Landscape Architecture?
Landscape architecture is a set of activities that primarily focuses on enhancing the environment and human health across different conditions. To achieve this, Landscape architects work on both interior and exterior elements. While learning about Landscape Architecture, you should never get confused with gardening. Here's Why,
Gardening is dedicated to promoting fertility and productivity of a garden while Landscape architecture gives visual pleasure while ensuring the demands of a site such as drainage, complying with laws, construction etc.
In addition, gardening doesn't require a professional that Landscape architecture does. Usually, these professionals are of two types- Landscape designers and Landscape architects.
Before discussing the differences between these two, let's look back at the history.
History Of Landscape Architecture.
The formal introduction to Landscape Architecture occurred in 1828 when Gilbert Laing Meason admired the relationship between architecture and landscaping in Italian paintings. However, the practice dates back to the 17th century.
In the 1600s, Louis XIII, king of France, built a hunting lodge on a hill in his favourite hunting ground. The site was a wetland near the village of Versailles. The court called it unworthy of a king, and so a Château was created to replace the lodge. But as King Louis XIII died in 1943, developments forced it to be abandoned for a decade. Until Louis XIV developed an interest in 1661 and recruited members, one of whom was André Le Nôtre, to design and construct the Versailles following Landscape Architecture.
Now let's discuss the differences to learn how it all works today.
Firstly, How Landscape Designers and Landscape Architects Are Different?
First and foremost, unlike landscape architecture, landscape designing is an unlicensed profession.
The designers essentially focus on residential properties and carry information about visual structure through the plantation. Their knowledge of plants is more in-depth and may help you with home plans, plantation, preferences and budget. On the other hand, an architect carries a valid license for landscaping and gets access to commercial projects, cemeteries, gardens and restoring natural environments that interact with humans.
Where do they study?
A landscape architect typically attends a licensed university. The education introduces them to various disciplines, and as they pass the exam, a training makes them aware of real-life challenges.
On the other hand, a landscape designer may have equivalent knowledge and training to a landscape architect, but without a license, they can't score the same opportunities the latter does.
That Much Trouble, How Much Do They Earn?
Landscaping is skyrocketing as the population is becoming aware of climate change and looking out for eye-pleasing designs. According to the U.S. bureau of labour statistics, in 2021, Landscape architects earned between $43,260 to $115,380. Meanwhile, landscape designers made between $42,000 to $83,000.
But why do they earn so much?
Importance Of Landscape Architecture.
We have a ton of examples revolving around social media, and it's time to analyze THE WHY.
The long-term importance of landscape architecture is vast, and here are some aspects you need to know first-hand.
1. Positive Outlook At Preserving Nature.
You might have heard of the integration of sustainable means into architecture, but in actual terms, it doesn't exist. One way or another, there will be an unsustainable means that you have to follow even if you do not want to.
Out of many methods, Landscape architecture does its best to preserve nature or ecological treasure while fulfilling the housing demands.
2. State Of Mind.
It is just as important as any other aspect as more and more people are getting influenced by the hectic schedule and concerning developments, which eventually impact their mental state.
A study from WHO claims- 280 million people globally suffer from depression. After the pandemic, it has become a greater threat, and many experts say that Alzheimer's will become common among the population in the coming years.
Landscape architecture aims to solve it. The definition itself explains maintaining human health, and there are several studies claiming its influence, which is massive. Interestingly, even the parks we see around the city have value in them and could result in a balanced future.
You might have noticed- spending time around nature tends to develop peace. In fact, a study found out- if someone in their childhood lacks interaction with green spaces, their chance of developing mental illness is 55% higher than the one who grew up around green spaces.
It might alone explain why old Christian schools deepen your connection with plants. And even Rabindranath Tagore (The Bengali Polymath) started his first school based around nature.
Calculate the thoughts, and the facts may arise.
3. Environmental Conditions Improve As Well.
As mentioned before- the technique helps us move towards sustainability, so a desirable outcome is obvious.
A single plant can improve air quality by 25%, which everyone requires. It may come as a surprise, but 262 million people are affected by asthma, which led to 455,000 deaths in 2019 alone. Considering the deadly impact, it is only the plantation that can help. Additionally, it can improve rainwater management and store most of it, as in line with the course, architects work on it.
Other benefits like soil improvement and cooling effects are commonly known.
However, the bigger problem that it works upon is Food Crisis.
There are ongoing attempts with farmers to ensure that Landscape architecture can fulfil food demands. This can lead to optimal production of organic food meanwhile saving many homeowners from inflation-hit prices.
4. Opportunities For Designers.
In Landscaping, exteriors are given equal or even greater importance than the interiors, and therefore, architects and designers work together to match up to the owner's expectations. As a result, creativity will flourish, and the future will enlighten.
With so many house designs going in unexpected directions, we can already see that happening.
After-effects Of Landscape Architecture- The Negative Ones.
One of the impacts that may exist is human interference and the change in biodiversity it can engender. While there are not many pieces of research claiming that; it is a recommended choice to act consciously.
Closing.
Landscape Architecture is of great importance, and out of many trends claiming to save the environment, it is the most fruitful. However, as we move forward, we should keep looking into resources to remain steady with our actions while not harming the environment.
I hope you found importance in this article and let me know how you think Landscape architecture can improve and degrade our road to sustainability.