Landscape Design Firm Practices for Residential Projects in the United States

Abstract

This article aims to show how a landscape architecture practice is run in the United States by focusing on residential projects based on the author’s long-time experience as a design company executive. The design practice cycle starts with marketing. It proceeds to an initial consultation, proposal, and agreement, and then five design phases. For marketing, online efforts (e.g., search engine optimization, including SNS) are the primary pathways for residential projects. For the initial consultation, landscape architects visit the project site to understand existing conditions and clarify the client’s request. Then, a proposal is submitted, and an agreement is exchanged with clients. Five design phases follow—a schematic design/master plan, design development, a construction document, bidding, and construction administration. Depending on the project’s scale, schedule, and scope, design development or bidding might be omitted. The article includes the author’s insights on the unique aspects of a United States landscape architecture practice. These aspects consist of the importance of the agreement for professional liability, varied building codes among different municipalities, and a looser understanding of precision in construction techniques. The article also touches on the reality of building Japanese gardens in the United States.