Landscape architects taking the lead

Over the past decade, we have seen landscape architects moving out of shadows and increasingly leading projects from residential developments, placemaking, urban design and climate change initiatives including Resilient by Design projects or reimagining a city precinct or leading a conservation and tourism plan. The profession of landscape architecture has increased in profile and also influence in designing cities and places.

Mark Jensen of Jensen Architects was quoted in Architecture Record “Getting involved in projects at the earliest planning stages is a critical step. It used to be that landscape architects got hired last on a project, and now they’re often hired first because we’re paying more attention to how buildings and land use must work together,”. Jensens statement is one of a recent indicators from architects and other allied professionals that show recognition that landscape architects are taking the lead on projects. Another was the recent “Repair” exhibition by Australian Institute of Architects’ at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale although contentious for its curatorial statement it showed an understanding that “It requires a coming together across disciplinary boundaries and a widening of the architectural knowledge base to a front end detailed understanding of a site across multiple scales; where the very small scale action has a role in the large scale, and a facilitation of repair of the environment through the many decisions we make.” and that landscape architects are key at widening that knowledge of nature and the built environment.

The shift from being hired last to being hired first is great for the profession, however, we need to harness the energy of this shift to improve the profession and also increase our influence on shaping the built environment. There are numerous changes and movements occurring including smart cities, increasing urban density, water shortages, social inequality, climate change that we need to voice our opinions to ensure that the cities are changing for the better.

Read the full article at my landscape architecture blog - World Landscape Architecture

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