Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
arrangement of shared responsibilities between the civil engineer and
landscape architect is usually satisfactory to both; the landscape archi-
tect can fuss over and resolve the less clear considerations involved in
the preliminary or schematic design phase of a project, then transfer the
detail and specification preparations to the engineer, whose production
processes are more efficient once key design decisions have been resolved
in the earlier phases by the landscape architect.
This does not mean that the landscape architect stops at the prelim-
inary phase of site-grading design. Very often the landscape architect's
contract with a client will include a scope of work to prepare all aspects of
a project's grading requirements. By education, followed with internship,
professional experience, and licensure, a landscape architect is qualified
to prepare grading plans for almost any situation; however, he or she may
be limited administratively by state licensing laws that delimit scope
of responsibilities of the design professionals. Landscape architects, for
instance, can prepare the full set of grading plans for a 125-acre golf course,
but may have limited responsibility on an interstate highway project that
might include some grading associated with detail landscape planting or
a special non-roadway feature (for instance, the design of a highway rest
stop). Questions of professional liability (involving professional design or
errors and omission insurance) may limit a landscape architect's involve-
ment. The professional practice insurance industry often influences the
design work and responsibilities of the various professions. In actual prac-
tice, the responsibilities of the various professions working together on a
project are negotiated and defined during the contract negotiation phase,
before the actual design work begins. These negotiations often are initi-
ated as the project design team comes together, with the lead design firm
managing if not dictating the responsibilities: shared or otherwise.
profeSSionaL reGiStration to practice
LandScape architecture
Courses in grading and drainage are a required part of any landscape
architecture or other related curriculum. This requirement is for university
landscape programs that seek and maintain accreditation status. One of
