People may not have heard of landscape architecture because it is a relatively niche profession that is not as well-known or prominent as some other design fields such as architecture and engineering.
The role of landscape architects is often not fully understood and is associated solely with gardening or horticulture. The profession’s full scope and potential is relatively unknown by those outside the profession.
The work of the landscape architect often takes place behind the scenes. A well designed public space can sometimes go unnoticed because it works so well and meets the needs of the community without drawing attention to itself.
New or improved public spaces are often credited to others such as local authority or where they are connected to a new building it is often believed that the outdoor space is also designed by the architect. Often, people just don’t even think about who designs those spaces.
In reality, landscape architecture is a multidisciplinary field that combines elements of design, engineering, planning, environmental science and social science to create outdoor spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, sustainable and beneficial to the communities they serve.
The complexity of the profession is often misunderstood. It takes years of education and training to become a chartered landscape architect. The job requires a deep understanding of various fields and the ability to integrate them into a cohesive design.