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Old 03-20-2007, 08:36 PM
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Is "landscape architect" work less seasonal?

I was at Brookings, Oregon, last weekend working for the garden club and camping. On the way back, the rain kicked into high gear.

Shortly after the redwoods, i was thinking about landscape architecture compared to installation or pruning work:

Wouldn't the work of a landscape architect, be much less seasonal than landscape contracting or pruning?

It just seems that landscape architecture flows with building development, and the rise of buildings seems to occur all year long.
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Old 03-20-2007, 08:44 PM
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I'd agree with that
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Old 03-21-2007, 12:35 AM
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Yes, it is less seasonal depending on how you work. There are landscape architects who do small scale landscape design/build who are affected by the seasons just as any other landscape contractor. But there are a lot who are involved in the design before the ground is even broken and some that do complete site plans including siting the buildings, roads, parking, and such to get things through the permitting phase. Then there are some who do a little of both.

It really depends on your sources for work. If you are able to make a substantial contribution in the early stages of planning and you have architects and engineers who are not threatened by that, they bring you into projects early. If you are known for planting designs, you might not get called until the wall paper and carpet guy left the property.

Overall, it is more steady and balanced throughout the year as a profession, but it all depends in what mode you work it.

I went to school for landscape architecture after I had been in design/build for several years (35 when I got my degree 10 years ago). I went with the idea of only doing design/build when I got out. Because of internships and injuries, I wound up doing a lot more land planning unexpectedly. It opened new doors and new interests, but I always have done landscape design either full time or part time on the side. The site planning took my capabilities and versatility to a knew level. Now I get calls for conservation restoration plans (ths week), concept plans for affordable housing projects (last weekend), high end waterfront homes (three weeks ago), parking lot plans (last month) and all kinds of things that are not seasonally dependent.

Design/build definitely is much more busy as you come out of the winter and quieter in mid summer and early winter. But, if you have some other things to fall back on, it does not matter.

The best thing is that you don't have a crew and equipment to pay for and to keep busy every day and how much does it take to keep one person busy with almost no overhead?

The thing that is tough is that it is a slow process. Four years (more likely five) of school, two years internship, and a lot more time in the trenches after that to get known and make the right connections and develop your skills. Few people care thant you have a stamp, they want value in what you do and they have to know you exist, who you are, and where to find you. The latter is the hardest part.
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