This group of qualified designers create new urban, rural, residential and public landscapes. They also maintain existing outdoor areas where people can live and relax, designing and managing projects from private gardens to master planning national parks. Increasingly, their work is extending to include the development of strategies to maintain and enhance water quality and turn water into an amenity for towns and cities.

Landscape Architects

Landscape architects, academically qualified in landscape design, provide guidance and planning around the interaction between humans and landscapes – and how to enhance natural forms through sustainable landscape design. In New Zealand, with our immense natural beauty, landscape architecture has significant crossover with the development of urban, rural, industrial, residential and commercial outdoor spaces.

Landscape architect or landscape designer: what’s the difference?

A landscape architect is a professional who is tertiary qualified to design outdoor spaces. In New Zealand, a registered landscape architect is a professional who is accredited through the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects. 

A landscape designer operates in the same realm as a landscape architect, however a landscape designer may or may not be tertiary qualified, and will not be accredited with the national body, the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects. 

What should I look for in a landscape architect or designer?

There are a few factors to consider when looking for the right landscape architect or designer for a landscape construction project. For example, for a home renovation project, budget may be a significant factor so it’s worth carefully considering a number of portfolios of work and selecting a professional whose work aligns with your design needs, or whose skills are aligned as closely as possible with the aims of your project.

If considering a deck design and deck building as well as work on the garden, perhaps eye-catching vertical gardens requiring masonry retaining walls and trellis – then it’s important to choose a landscape architect with specific experience in this type of work. 

What does landscape design involve?

Landscape design incorporates everything that is found outside - where people meet nature. It involves creating liveable spaces that encompass the natural spirit and heritage of an area, while allowing for functional human activity and enjoyment.

This can be seen anywhere from parks and open spaces, garden design, patio design and gazebo design and construction - to well thought-out placement of fences and gates, or even a pool design or pool construction that melds seamlessly with the natural surroundings – think infinity pools.  

What does a landscape architect do?

A landscape architect will provide landscape plans that will create the blueprint for the landscape construction. They will also offer project management as landscape construction requires a significant degree of master planning, site planning, landscape design, project management and, of course, implementation.

Landscape architects will collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team including architects, surveyors, engineers, planners, biologists, and other relevant professions to design the most attractive, user-friendly and environmentally friendly outdoor space.

A landscape architect will add significant value to projects ranging from the very small, such as the ideal installation of custom water features or fire pits, to large residential developments, expansive neighbourhood parks, golf courses, transportation, regional recreation or institutional and industrial projects.