[Phil Doncaster]

Hi, unfortunatly, until clients decide they want to go green and help preserve the environment then the hands of most design firms are tied.

[Phil Doncaster]

I must apologize. I am a landscape designer, not a landscape architect. I am more concerned with aesthetics and plant care then engineering. And yes, I do understand the reasoning behind a license!

[Phil Doncaster]

Good for you…
Have fun in Europe, experience all you can, get used to cheap Ryanair flights and don’t forget the wellies!!!

Best of luck to you

Phil

[Phil Doncaster]

If Kate returns to the US to practice L A after gaining an English degree, she will find more interest and discussion in that degree then if she had an American degree, as I have found myself. The Americans still love everything British and a degree from England will only add to her charm and potential clients, again as I have found.
I am not up to speed with current UK landscape school ethics, principles or transparency. So forgive me If I don’t join in with that debate.

Phil

[Phil Doncaster]

Here is the BIG question…
Has having a certificate from LARE or CLARB or whoever increased your work load? Brought in new clients?
Thought not.
I get my house re-decorated from a guy who I can trust, charges a reasonable rate and who’s previous work I can see and judge, not how many tests he has passed.

We are supposed to be designing gardens, not practicing law or being health and safety officers!

Phil

[Phil Doncaster]

Kate, getting back to the original question and ignoring the political debate… You have to remember that a UK degree will be very horticulturally based with a smattering of construction, a US one will be more diverse and feature a lot more constructional aspects then the UK one. Also, I still stand by the statement that an English degree will open more doors and discussions for you then an American degree, unless you go to Harvard!

Phil

[Phil Doncaster]

Just remember to take more money with you then you think you will need…
It’s very expensive over there.
Plus a good waterproof coat and some comfortable wellies!! ha ha

[Phil Doncaster]

Kate, A lot depends on the type and size of firm your looking to work for. You will probably find a lot of the smaller LA firms will not know the difference between an English and US degree, albeit the name, the larger ones will. The UK schools will be more horticulture based then the US ones too. Personally, you will find more gardening doors open with a degree from England then one from say Ohio…
Plus you get to live in London for a couple of years!!

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