What is Landscape Architecture? – University of Colorado Denver

What is Landscape Architecture? – University of Colorado Denver

When architecture is talked about, ideas of grand buildings and expansive infrastructure occur to mind—but what about the encompassing areas? This is where by landscape architecture will come into participate in. While it could not resemble stereotypical architecture for some, this area of analyze surrounds our day to day life. Encompassing a slew of complex and non-complex expertise, landscape architecture embraces the art and science of style, land management, ecology, and a lot more.  

The apply of landscape architecture is basically creating everything that is outside the house the building. So city spots, massive parks, national parks, trails, grasp preparing of communities, river techniques, ecological restoration, focused on how species co-habit and how we can operate and stay with systems…” 

—Louise Bordelon, PhD  

Famed landscape architecture jobs span the world throughout generations. Some notable tasks are the Palais de Versailles (Paris, France), Millenium Park (Chicago, U.S.), The Summer season Palace (Beijing, China), and Park Guell (Barcelona, Spain). Jobs these types of as Skyline Park, Rocky Mountain Arsenal Countrywide Wildlife Refuge, and Paco Sanchez Park represent the selection of landscape architecture initiatives within the Denver metropolitan region.  

Landscape Architecture at CU Denver 


The Landscape Architecture Office is led by Louise Bordelon, PhD. By way of the department’s analysis and curriculum, pupils interact with subject areas including social justice, sustainability, and environmental racism by means of the lens of investigate and design and style. Loaded with talent and accolades, landscape architecture courses at CU Denver proceed to thrive. 

For these on the lookout to go after this place of examine, two degree paths are supplied. A landscape architecture slight is out there for undergraduate learners. This application aims to build a basic understanding of landscape architecture. College students will arrive out with a specialized viewpoint that suits effectively within a selection of architecture, style and design, and engineering degree paths.  

For graduate pupils, a master’s in landscape architecture (MLA) is out there. The MLA is a STEM-specified and absolutely accredited diploma plan. Intertwining concept and follow, this method focuses on bending structure to obtain ergonomic and environmental stability.  

Landscape Architecture adjustments how we interface with the normal world. It has the means to convey ecology and biodiversity back into our cities…bring individuals jointly and celebrate place and tradition in approaches that we genuinely want.” 

—Louise Bordelon, PhD

For the landscape architecture minor, college students can count on these programs: Historical past of Landscape Architecture, Introduction to Landscape Architecture, Web site, Culture, and Ecosystem, Ecology for Landscape Architects, and Landform Manipulation.  

For the MLA, college students will operate as a result of specialised design and style studios, lecture/seminar classes, and analysis/elective alternatives. Programs like Ecology for Landscape Architects, Introduction to GIS, Landform Manipulation, and Pc Apps in Landscape Architecture are all developed into the curriculum. 

What Can You Do with a Landscape Architecture degree? 


The industry of landscape architecture is additional promising than at any time in advance of. From 2014 to 2019, the landscape architect workforce in the U.S. grew by 10{6d6906d986cb38e604952ede6d65f3d49470e23f1a526661621333fa74363c48}, peaking at 24,500 complete staff. Demand for landscape architects in Colorado is healthier, and the state touts the optimum site quotient in the U.S. Residential design and style is the largest sector sector within just landscape architecture. This place is made up of arranging and planning single-loved ones residences, much larger multi-family members housing buildings, and residential communities.  

Landscape Architecture Firms 

In Colorado, bigger corporations these types of as Stantec, Aecom, Design and style Workshop, Sasaki, DHM, and HDR hire a considerable volume of landscape architects. More compact corporations, these types of as Livable Metropolitan areas, Dig Studio, and Superbloom are also popular in the Denver metropolitan location.  

How Considerably Does a Landscape Architect Make? 

Landscape architecture salaries have a median of $67,950 throughout the U.S. Spend in Colorado sits involving $65,100 and $69,060. Salaries assortment tremendously, with the top 10{6d6906d986cb38e604952ede6d65f3d49470e23f1a526661621333fa74363c48} earning above $115,380 for each calendar year and the most affordable 10{6d6906d986cb38e604952ede6d65f3d49470e23f1a526661621333fa74363c48} earning fewer than $43,260.  

Landscape Architecture Jobs 

Aside from a landscape architecture-specific role, those who pass as a result of the landscape architecture packages at CU Denver normally operate in the following fields:

Architect—Average Income: $80,180 

Architects strategy and style a wide variety of new buildings, expansions, and renovations according to client technical specs and methods. Assignments can selection from solitary-loved ones household to massive civic developments. 

Civil Engineer—Average Salary: $88,050 

Civil engineers layout, develop, supervise, and maintain infrastructure initiatives and systems. Jobs contain bridges, roadways, airports, dams, bridges, and far more.  

Design Manager—Average Salary: $98,890 

Also recognized as typical contractors or project supervisors, this part handles the setting up, coordination, budgeting, and supervision of building projects.  

Drafter—Average Income: $60,290 

This job revolves all-around the preparing of technical drawings and ideas. Drafters use software package to renovate layouts from engineers or architects into technological drawings.  

City/Regional Planner—Average Wage: $78,500 

Urban planners evaluate web-site programs submitted by developers. They also develop land use strategies to sort communities and prepare for populace development. 

Surveyor—Average Wage: $61,600 

Surveyors make precise measurements to update assets boundaries. This allows get ready internet sites for building and stay clear of lawful disputes. 

Dr. Louise Bordelon

Professor Louise Bordelon, PhD, joined the Landscape Architecture Division comprehensive-time in drop 2019. She holds undergraduate degrees in Architecture from the College of Cape Town and Landscape Architecture from University of Pretoria, equally in South Africa, as very well as a master’s in landscape architecture and a PhD in Geography and Anthropology from Louisiana Condition University, the place she was a Fulbright Scholar. Bordelon has also held a postdoctoral fellowship in Geography at Stellenbosch College in South Africa.

Study far more about CU Denver’s landscape architecture possibilities and how you can construct your vocation in today’s participating sector.   

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