I think we ought to be proud of our title – Landscape Architect – it recalls Frederick Law Olmstead after all.
I am comfortable with the noun “Architect” meaning “master-builder” (my undergraduate (bachelor) degree; and with the adjective “Landscape” (my post-graduate (master) degree) – because it derived from a Dutch word meaning “to-make-land” (The Dutch continue to make land – pumping away water, building dykes and drainage canals – keeping the sea at bay, literally, creating land!)
putting the meaning fo the two terms together – you have a “master-builder-of-the-land” which i think describes us pretty well. We are primarily concerned with holistic “place-making” – at a variety of scales – using a variety of cultual and natural factors as design informants – (including urban, architectural and environmental factors). perhaps we just need to have a bit more self-confidence and put forward a better self-image. I used to get tired of having to explain what we do, but now I see it as an opportunity to promote the profession and to inspire potential landscape architects! – and people do indeed seem genuinely interested to learn about sustainable issues, resource efficiency, green architecture, environmental integrity, etc. Landscape Architects help to shape a better human living environment, especially within the public realm, having a social responsibility towards communities as well as an environmental responsibility of custodianship towards the earth. We need to facilitate an awareness of our role, the value we can bring to projects, and to engender a popular appreciation for a landscape architectural world view. I think the passion for our profession shines through.
In South Africa, with professinal registration, we may use the acromyn “PrLArch” after our signature (Professional Landscape Architect); and decribe ourselves as Landscape Architects / Environmental Planners.
