LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

The work of landscape architects can be seen in our public parks, cities, neighbourhoods, walkways, residential, commercial, industrial and institutional properties, building exteriors, and everywhere in between. A landscape architect is a highly skilled professional who conceptualizes, draws, designs, plans, and manages any built landscape development. Landscape architects can be generalists and work on a wide variety of projects, while others may specialize. For example, a landscape architect can choose to specialize in the design of golf courses. The work of a landscape architect is highly creative. However, many experienced landscape architects can often act as project managers, since they are responsible for seeing a project through from concept to design to final build. In order to become a fully certified landscape architect, it is necessary to attend a college or university program in landscape architecture or architecture.

WHAT ARE OTHER COMMON NAMES FOR A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT?

LANDSCAPE PLANNER, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN, GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT

What will you do?

Landscape architects play an important role in landscape design and planning. In general, they:

Survey and assess designated sites and develop designs taking into consideration landscape features, buildings, climate, future usage, and other aspects
Prepare or oversee the preparation of detailed drawings for sites, including features such as trees, shrubs, gardens, lighting, walkways, patios, decks, benches, fences, retaining walls, and fountains
Prepare or oversee preparation of site plans, reports, sketches, models, photographs, maps, land use studies, design plans such as landscape grading, drainage or planting, and construction details
Confer with clients to determine design needs

Where will you work?

Landscape architects are mainly employed by landscaping companies or work at landscape architecture firms. Landscape architects can also be employed by:

What advancement opportunities are available?

There is ample opportunity for advancement as a landscape architect in Ontario. With enough experience, landscape architects may advance to senior positions at landscaping companies, while some may start their own companies or work as consultants.

Future employment prospects for landscape architects in Ontario are positive. In 2020, there were 57 job postings for landscape architects across Ontario.

What can you expect to earn?

In Ontario, the median annual wage for a Landscape Architect is $74,110. Pending experience, responsibilities, location, hours of work, and qualifications a Landscape Architect can expect to make between $29,848 and $125,653.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT?

Work Context

Communicate over the telephone and email

Interact with customers, clients, and other people outside of the organization

Importance of being exact or accurate

Work Attributes

Attention to detail

Integrity

Dependability

Initiative

Innovation

What education and certifications do I need to do this work?

HOW DO I BECOME A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT IN ONTARIO?

Landscape architects are highly skilled, technical professionals with expertise in both landscape design and architecture. There is no singular path to becoming a landscape architect. Some people may start out as landscape labourers to gain knowledge and experience in the field.

Others may enter into a landscape architecture or architecture university program right out of high school. Regardless of the path to entrance, to become a certified landscape architect, you must have a degree in landscape architecture from an accredited college or university and pass an exam from the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA).

There are a small number of universities in Ontario that offer landscape architecture programs, which will give you a solid foundation in landscape knowledge and architectural expertise that is required to become a certified landscape architect.

Examples of in-school training can include, but is not limited to:

Identification and cultural requirements of native and introduced plants in cultivated and natural landscapes
Visual, physical, and cultural characteristics of plants and their use
Theory, process, and vocabulary of spatial design
Construction documentation and site design, including technical procedures needed to direct design implementation including layout, grading, utility design, and site preparation

HOW DO I BECOME A CERTIFIED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT?

Upon completing all the necessary educational components, individuals can obtain certification from the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA). OALA is the regulatory authority of landscape architects in Ontario; they also provide a database of landscape architects across the province and offer continuing education programs.

Programs and Apprenticeships

Job Board