What a landscape architect does, what a landscape designer does, and which one a campus, factory, society or home actually needs.
Part 1
Landscape architecture
Landscape architecture is a professional discipline, taught as a degree and practised by qualified landscape architects. It deals with the whole site: grading and drainage, roads and paths, retaining walls, stormwater, lighting, and how the landscape works with the buildings. Large campuses, townships, public parks and projects that need statutory approvals usually have a landscape architect on the design team.
The output is a set of technical drawings and specifications from which contractors build.
Part 2
Landscape design
Landscape design is closer to garden design. It focuses on planting, lawns, paths, seating, water features and how a space looks and feels through the seasons. It suits homes, terraces, office courtyards, society gardens and the planted areas of a campus where the civil works are already fixed.
A landscape designer or design-and-build company usually prepares a layout and plant list and then builds and maintains the garden.
Part 3
Which one you need
If the project involves earthworks, drainage, hard landscaping across a large site or approvals, engage a landscape architect first. If the buildings and roads are in place and the task is to plant, green and look after the open spaces, a landscape design and maintenance company is the practical choice.
The two often work together: the architect sets out the site, and the landscaping company supplies and plants to the plan and maintains it afterwards.
Part 4
What a good planting plan includes
Whoever prepares it, a planting plan should name each plant botanically, give sizes and numbers, and match species to the city's climate and the site's sun, shade and soil. It should also allow for maintenance: a design that needs daily watering and weekly clipping will not look the same two years later unless someone is paid to do that work.
Part 5
How we work
We design, build and maintain landscapes for offices, campuses, factories, societies and homes. We call you, prepare a written proposal with a plan and a fixed price if you are interested, and visit the site once you agree. Where a project already has a landscape architect, we can build and maintain to their drawings.