<p>There seems to be a lot of discussion about architecture education, but not much at all regarding landscape architecture education. As a high school junior, I am narrowing my college plans to either architecture or landscape architecture, and would appreciate input from those who know about the processes and curriculum. One of the main aspects of LA that has drawn me towards it is the study and application of botany, a life science, rather than only physics or math.</p>
<p>I hope that you will get feedback from students or adults that are actually practicing in each of these fields so they can give you their more expert advice. I am only a mom of a third year LA student, so I feel the best I can do is give you sites that you can check out online…Hope this helps some. </p>
<p>First I would go to a school that offers both areas and find the link with the curriculum of each area. Usually there is the courseload breakdown of what you will be required to take to receive either your arch or l. arch degree. That is very helpful to see the differences.
If you go to the department websites, some offer glimpses of students’ work as well so you can see the type of projects you will be working on.</p>
<p>Secondly check out a couple of sites for Architecture: [The</a> American Institute of Architects](<a href=“http://www.aia.org%5DThe”>http://www.aia.org) and for Landscape Architecture: [American</a> Society of Landscape Architects - Home](<a href=“http://www.asla.org%5DAmerican”>http://www.asla.org). There is a ton of information within them that you can look over. (Those sites have links that will take you to lists of all of the schools that are accredited in this country)</p>
<p>My son felt the same way you seem to regarding Landscape Architecture and its inclusion of the natural sciences and the environment. There is some math, some engineering, but a great deal of ecology, plant science, etc. He loves the diversity of the field. It has been a good choice for him, but you are wise to look before you leap! :)</p>
<p>@btpayne13: You should probably talk to rick12. He’s got a lot of experience about architecture to share 
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/members/rick12-104997.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/members/rick12-104997.html</a></p>
<p>I too am a mom of a landscape architecture student (first year), and I second the above suggestions. My son was in the same position as you in his junior year, trying to decide between architecture and landscape architecture. I think what helped him the most in his decision were visits and meetings with faculty and students in several architecture and landscape architecture programs. If you have the ability to visit and interview with a few programs before deciding which major to pursue or where to apply, I would highly recommend it. </p>
<p>Land8Lounge is a social networking site for landscape architects and students that my son also found useful. There may be similar site(s) for architects/students but I’m not aware of them. </p>
<p>My son also attended a summer program in architecture that involved quite a bit of design instruction and work, which helped solidify his interest in pursuing a design major. There are similar programs focused on landscape architecture, too. It may be too late to apply for some programs now, but may be worth looking into. </p>
<p>A final note: At Kansas State, first year students take intro courses in architecture, land arch, and interior design in order to expose students to the different design majors. The faculty at KSU said that some students switch majors as a result of learning about about other design professions, and the college supports that. I thought that was a very attractive feature of their program. </p>
<p>Best of luck in making your decision!</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback, everyone. How are the career prospects for landscape architecture? I’m concerned that it would be harder to find a job in LA than to find one in architecture.</p>
<p>My sense from talking to the landscape architecture firms we work with is that they are pretty much in the same condition as the architecture firms. Much of the business that LA firms do is master planning for large housing/retail/mixed use projects, and these opportunities have certainly slowed down in the U.S.</p>
<p>The difference between architecture and landscape architecture is one of technical/professional requirements. Despite the image of architects as artists, the field is highly technical, involving the coordination of multiple engineering fields as well as primary responsibility for code and zoning compliance. Mistakes made by architects can have significant life and death consequences for the building users, which is why the field is tightly regulated. Thus the ratio of conceptual designers to more technical staff may be up to 1 to 10 in large firms.</p>
<p>Landscape architecture is not nearly as technically complex, and has much higher ratio of designers to technical staff. The technical knowledge required revolves around plant life and natural materials, much more enjoyable than fire codes. The place where architects and LA’s overlap is in master planning where both fields can operate as equals. The downside to LA is that in many cases you will be operating under the architect who has overall control of the project and will often dictate the landscape design, relegating the LA to picking the plants. However talented architects and LA’s working as equals can create some wonderfully integrated environments. You just have to find the right situation.</p>
<p>I have worked with some really talented LA’s and they have added a quality to the spaces that I could not have come close to achieving.</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>As an additional note, I was looking at my February issue of Design Intelligence and they have the results of an extensive survey they have done;</p>
<p>Employment outlook for 2011 (0 poor to 100 excellent)</p>
<p>Architects 39
Engineers 47
Landscape architects 32
Construction managers 38</p>
<p>Employment outlook for 2012 to 2014 (a big guess)</p>
<p>Architects 54
Engineers 63
Landscape Architects 50
Construction Managers 56</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>As usual rick has shared a lot of great information. From what my son seems to think, and granted this is a student in LA not with a job yet, is his field is much broader than regular arch and he thought that he would have more options. Based on those DI numbers, maybe not. I hope in two years he finds a job. He feels LA was a good choice for him, and really loves what he is doing, but the ultimate goal is to work in your field, so we will see.</p>
<p>As rick said it seems to be really much more environmentally based, and is very integrated with everything from forestry to hydrology to horticulture. For example, he has had part time work/shadowing with environmental engineering firms as well as seen others within the government, i.e. the Dept of Interior. You can go into golf course design or be employed by a municipality. There is coastal restoration, environmental remediation, even playground design. He loves the broad scope and was adamant about not focusing on structures. This year he has even studied about how people perceive, use and socially/psychologically/physically benefit from the spaces that are to be designed. It is all in what you like. </p>
<p>Good luck to you again in what you decide to do!</p>