Landscape Designer Or Landscape Architect – What Is The Difference?
There’s nothing more exciting than getting ready to do a new landscaping project. You likely have a million landscaping ideas in your head, and you’re probably eager to work with someone who can help bring them to life. But who do you hire—an Austin landscape architect or a landscape designer?
Many incorrectly assume that landscape architects and designers are more or less the same thing. While both professionals share the goal of helping you create a stunning outdoor space, some important differences exist in their roles and capabilities.
What Does a Designer Do?
A great Austin landscape designer can help you transform a garden or outdoor space. They can turn an unused backyard into an oasis ready for years of memory-making for your family. An experienced landscape designer in Austin will use a combination of hard materials, plants, furniture and more to enhance your property.
Think of an Austin landscape designer as the outdoor equivalent of an interior designer. They look at your available space, provide amazing landscaping ideas that meet your needs and guide teams to make it all happen.
How is the Job of a Landscape Architect Different?
Landscape architects also transform spaces. However, their work is usually far more involved and requires more specialty knowledge. If a great landscape designer in Austin is similar to an interior designer, a landscape architect’s equivalent would be a building architect.
Interior designers enhance the structural work of architects, and an Austin landscape designer does the same for the work of landscape architects!
Architects handle larger-scale projects that need more complex work to complete. For example, landscape architects are often the go-to whenever new landscaping ideas require grading or drainage overhauls. They can also guide more extensive landscaping projects for municipal properties, massive commercial resorts, public parks, etc.
Does a Designer or Architect Typically Have More Education?
Because architects handle more difficult projects than landscaping design professionals, they typically go through more education and training. Not every landscape designer in Austin has a degree. Many are self-taught, honing their skills through real-world experience.
Training and a higher level of technical knowledge are paramount in landscape architecture. Therefore, architects have degrees, licenses and often additional certifications in different specialties. A licensed architect will provide many other services, including professional consultation, site analysis, planning, etc. Architects undergo many years of education to become proficient in those facets of the job.
Should I Hire a Landscape Designer or a Landscape Architect?
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your property and project. If you want to transform a smaller residential property, a landscape design professional has all the expertise you need. However, commercial property owners or those completing large-scale projects with more complex logistics can benefit from hiring an architect.
Whether you need basic landscape design or full-service architecture services, you can turn to Sullivan’s Landscaping & Lawn Service. We have an architect on staff and a team of landscaping professionals ready to bring your ideas to life! We’ve spent nearly a decade serving property owners and managers in Austin, building up a great portfolio of work we’re eager to show off.
At Sullivan’s, we offer various services to meet your landscaping needs. These include landscape design and installation, irrigation, outdoor lighting, decking, custom welding, ongoing lawn care and more.
Let us show you what our team can do! Contact Sullivan’s today to get a free project quote. You can call (512)599-4565, email customerservice@sullivanslandscapingservice.com or submit your information through our online contact form.
