Landscape designers use the environment as their canvas, typically beginning with a blank slate and ending with a functional and beautiful outdoor space for people to enjoy. This profitable career allows you to design landscapes for homes, businesses, parks, and malls.
Service is also important, as landscape designers work closely with clients to develop a design plan specific to that person's wants and needs. Once specific landscape elements are selected, drawing up a plan can be a snap using CAD (computer-aided design) software (although the traditional method of sketching designs with pencil and paper works just as well).
The work of landscape architects is all around us. Their concern is the form and function of the land. The attractiveness and usefulness of our parks, highways, neighborhoods, urban plazas, gardens, zoos and institutions reflects the skill of landscape architects in design and planning to achieve the best use of land resources. Applying both art and science, landscape architects provide consulting services, prepare plans and facilitate projects that create a balance between the needs and wants of people and the limitations of the environment.
Healing gardens - Working with medical professionals, landscape architects create landscapes that reduce stress, boost the immune system, improve Alzheimer's symptoms, encourage physical activity and reduce time spent in hospitals.
Bioremediation - Landscape architects use natural systems of plants, fungi, or soil microbes to transform formerly polluted industrial sites into a safe and valuable public green space.
Green Roofs - Instead of a black tar roof, a living system plants and soil can actually reduce air temperature by 59 degrees in the summer, save winter heating costs, clean and store rainwater, and provide habitat to pollinating insects and birds.
Energy Savings - Landscape architects can utilize trees, shrubs and other plants to lower a home's heating/cool costs by as much as 50 percent in the summer and up to 8 percent in the winter.
Landscape design connects you with nature. Since going out for a vacation may not always be feasible given your schedule, coming home to a relaxing landscape will offer you a temporary retreat you and your loved ones can take advantage of during weekends or holidays, minus the travel expense.
It also protects natural wildlife because a good landscape design considers the existing inhabitants in your yard - may that be natural insects or birds. Your new landscape should protect these creatures and not force them away.
Landscape Architect enhances quality of life spending more time outdoors unwinding in the gorgeous backdrop, keeping your favorite read a company, or welcoming guests for a spontaneous gathering.
They turn unused spaces to functional areas like a side yard that has been unused for many years, or that backyard that's been home to old furniture or a pile of twigs can be given a makeover with a simple addition of outdoor furnishings. Bring order to your yard by setting areas in your yard for specific activities - from cooking to dining to roasting marshmallows. Take celebrations outdoors and enjoy more of what your home has to offer from day to night.
It boosts value for your property. This is especially beneficial if your're looking too resell your property years from now. Amenities that maximize use of both indoor or outdoor spaces make homes more appealing for buyers. A new landscape design encourages you to relax outdoors more while spending less time on maintenance. With that said, be sure to avoid these landscaping mistakes.
"Among the many things I appreciate about working with Dane are his willingness to collaborate creatively and his profound knowledge of plants."
Sharon Portnoy, Architect
“Successfully Landscaping Your Marin Home” helped me tremendously in gaining insight about landscaping and answered all the questions and concerns I had about improving my yard on a budget that was right for me."
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