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Some misinformation – Each state in the US has its own requirement for becoming a Registered Landscape Architect. Most require a BLA or BSLA from an accredited program, two years of internship, and passing of L.A.R.E., but not all. Some accept other “experience” or other education. Some require internship, some do not,
This is a pretty thorough…[Read more]

Thanks DC, 
That’s good to hear that both are good options. However, do you feel like some consultancies prefer one over the other? Or whether the two courses have slightly different focuses? – e.g. one with more of an environmental focus and the other with a design focus?
Cheers! 

It is just crazy how the time needed to become a landscape architect is nearly equivalent if not more if you don’t have a BLA! Definitely worried about the debt haha. 
But yea, I agree with you. If one has gone that far already, it makes sense to work towards registration.

Pay is tied to work produced – we get paid for the work produced (not hourly rate, though it’s not entirely unrelated).  When proposals and contracts are written up, the hours for tasks is approximated, with the associated rate and the total fee is estimated.  Licensed staff can help reduce insurance costs and project qualifications, but it’s u…[Read more]

Rogerio,
I sent you a message through Land8 but perhaps you didn’t get it. I know of a buy who can help you. He is Brazilian as well and an architect and has VW experience. If you would like I can see if he would be available to help.
As for 2016 you really should look at the project sharing feature that is new with this release.

Anthony,
As others have posted Draftsight is okay but not, dare I say, as good as Autodesk. I use it just to check out files that I have exported or intend to reference into VW Landmark. If you do decide to sign up for service select with VW there support staff is always on top of things and they are very helpful. Heck I even try to stump them and…[Read more]

You need 2 years post-graduate work experience, plus all 4 LARE exam passes to become licensed.  During the two year period you have to complete internship information on a quarterly basis.  At this time you can also take your LARE exams.  So if you do things really streamlined, you can be licensed after 2 years.  That’s the minimum.  The requ…[Read more]

Hi Carmen, 
I can’t speak for the US because I haven’t looked at many of their programs but in Canada there is only one undergraduate (4 year) program in LA and it’s at Guelph, or the 5 MLA programs are 3 years for first-professional degree applicants. I believe once you get your degree it’s common practice to spend a few years in the field…[Read more]

Anthony,
I am a landscape architect but will declare upfront my interest, as I am also Product Director at Keysoft Solutions who develop KeySCAPE landscape software. 
In 2015 we acquired LandCADD and will soon be releasing a version that brings the best of both applications into a single, harmonized solution that will provide the springboard for…[Read more]

Hi Jasmine, 
Thanks for the comment ! 🙂 That is good to hear that there are options out there
On average, how many years of study is needed to become a registered landscape architect in North America?  Is a MLA required to do so?
Also how important is registration?
Cheers! 

Hi Carmen,
Unfortunately, no! And I just found at that I didn’t get accepted to UBC haha but if I don’t get into any other programs, there’s always next year! Good luck with your future application 🙂

Anthony – I’d like to invite you to take a look at DynaSCAPE Design. There is a great integration with AutoCAD up to 2016. It is an alternative to AutoCAD that is 100% landscape specific. (http://www.dynascape.com/design)

I hit this one up from time to time.
http://www.caddetails.com/
Uniblock used to have a hatch collection available on their website, not sure if they still do.

Looking for anything really… hatches, plant symbols, etc.
Thanks!

That was actually pretty encouraging! Thanks for that. It does sometimes feel like it is hanging over my head, Like I have something I have to get done!

I appreciate your responses! Just to be clear, I do not anticipate being handed a raise based on a sheet of paper I took a test for. I just wasn’t sure if a set billable fee directly determined how much you pay for the person who billed the hours.

I have read a lot into the 1/3rd rule, and currently my billable time seems right on line with that…[Read more]

Also,
It is not lost on your employer that you are more marketable if you are licensed. It can make your employer think that it is a good time to make sure that a valued employee does not have any reasons to test the market and evaluate your pay rate.
If you are not going for your license it may send the message that you are comfortable and there…[Read more]

Andrew and Chris are right it doesn’t automatically mean a raise.  Billable rates are based on the position you hold with the firm.  Like Andrew mentioned having your license certainly makes you more marketable and most firms like to add that feather in their cap with the number of credentialed staff they have.  I remember when I was in your sh…[Read more]

I use DraftSight [an excellent, free AutoCad alternative] for my CAD work. After laying out property lines, building footprints and preliminary design work I generally import that into SketchUp and start modeling the fixed elements like buildings etc. I do find that I begin to develop design ideas in SketchUp quite early, and then often import…[Read more]