1.

0 Introduction

Landscape is the visual feature of an area of a land, its landform and its integration between
natural and man-made features. According to National Geographic (2018) a landscape is part
of the Earth’s surface that can be viewed at one time from one place. It consists of the
geographic features that mark, or are characteristic of, a particular area. For example, the
Grand Canyon in the United States. Landscape also can be modified or created to define a
space. This can be achieved through landscaping.

Landscaping can be defined as the development and modification of visible features of an

expanse of land or space enhancing the various amenities of the entire property, land and
estate, by utilizing and involving nature, natural and human elements. (Total FMS, 2018).

Based on many definitions, it can be concluded that landscaping is both science and art and
requires good observation and design skills. Hence, the knowledge and understanding of the
elements of nature and is very essential for Landscape Architects and landscapers.

According to ASLA (2018), Landscape Architects analyze, plan, design, manage, and nurture
the built and natural environments. Landscape architects also have a significant impact on
communities and quality of life. They design parks, campuses, streetscapes, trails, plazas, and
other projects that help define a community.

Landscape architecture is continuously evolving to meet the needs of the global population
while managing impacts on the natural environment. The profession is being challenged by
increased urbanization and the effects of climate change to create places that ensure the
health, safety and wellbeing of the people with whom they work and the sustainability of the
environment. As a profession, landscape architecture holds “influence and power over how
our social world is ordered, by virtue of our monopoly over critical areas of knowledge”
(Wilkins 2015, p.25)
2.0 Content

Landscape architect consists of a few career tracks which is private practice, public practice,
academic practice and corporate practice. 2 career tracks have been chosen to explore on their
profession activities which is private practice and academic practice.

2.1 Private practice

The private practice of landscape architecture may differ considerably from office to office. It
offers services for projects that can range from regional planning and design of new
communities to a planting plan for a small residential garden.

Private firm often work in consultant teams with architects, engineers, biologists, traffic
consultants, planners, historians, and more, to provide process management, complete site
analysis, planning and design services for the project. There are several types of private-
practice firms that a landscape architect may consider joining:

■ Small firm, landscape architecture oriented

■ Large firm, landscape architecture oriented
■ Multidisciplinary architecture and engineering
(A/E) firm that includes landscape architects
■ Multidisciplinary environmental firm that includes landscape architects

EDC (Environmental Design Consultant) is an independent organization and has accumulated

considerable experience in multi-discipline consortium works and in collaboration with
various other agencies and consultants. EDC Landscape Consultants Sdn. Bhd. (EDC) was
formed in 1983, then of Environmental Design Consultants (1976 - 1983). The firm is a
major Malaysian joint venture, aimed at developing specialized Malaysian skills in
environmental site development planning and landscape architectural design. The practice
operates out of two (2) offices, in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and undertakes works
throughout the countries of South East Asia.
1. What is your company objectives?
The objectives of the company are able to pay the salary of employee every month
and make sure client don’t over spend money in a project.
2. Do you have any experienced when a client was displeased with your design?
It is quite normal for client to be displeased with the design. We will try to convince
and compromise with the client.
3. What types and scales of project do you enjoy working the most?
I enjoy working in large projects.
4. Can you share with us your current project that involved collaboration with
another firm?
Our project in Bandar Botani had collaborate with Gamuda as well as other consulting
firm.
5. What books do you use as an inspiration for your design?
We do have a library in to refer. However, some companies do not have a library
which they tend to refer at previous project and the internet.
6. If there is any error on the project after one or two years, will you guys go and
amend the error?
Depend on the type of error you’re referring to. If its design error, there will be
warranty and we will try to solve it. As a landscape architect, we need design with
minimum damage. This is the reason to have material knowledge, other softscape and
hardscape knowledge.
7. Roughly how many staff required for the project in Bandar Botani?
I’m not sure how many staff working on this project back then but if you refer in
todays progress, its estimate to have 12-20 staffs.
8. Is there a lifespan in this profession?
If it’s a project lifespan, it can last for 2-3 years. Landscape design also follow trends.
We tend to the trend in terms of colours, styles, etc.
2.2 Academic practice
Landscape architects can serve as educators and researchers within the academic
environment. New skills and viewpoints are constantly being developed in the context of
rigorous application and adherence to national accreditation standards. Research is conducted
in many areas including environmental and community planning, urban design and computer
applications to land use planning. In most cases, advanced degrees, including a master’s
degree in landscape architecture and a doctorate in a related field, are required for teaching at
the university level. Additionally, advanced education is the backdrop for academic
practitioners to engage the research challenges facing landscape architects on the faculties of
institutions of higher education.
Lecturer 1
1. What is your scope of work?
My scope of work now is to give a lecture in terms of P& C program, contribute in
any marketing program and attend any conference or training specially for lecturers.
2. What is your goals that you set when you are entering in academic practice?
I want to further my studies.
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
I easily get stress based on my experience in teaching.
4. Are you involved in continuing education?
Of course. I want to further my studies and move forward in my career.
5. Why do you choose to be a lecturer instead of practicing as a landscape
architect?
It is my passion to teach. Being a lecturer is all about passion and other contribute
factor is that I love talking.
6. What classes have you liked to teach the most and why?
Studio design. I try to share my experience and in terms of design, I believe the
necessity in practicing design every day.
7. Can you share an experience you had in a difficult situation when there are
issues with students and how you handled it?
Students’ attitude. Students not attending the class or my session due to work in
complete or other factor such as environment, friends or even parents. We try to find
the actual factor without forcing students.
8. What are your career objectives for 5 years?
I want to finish my studies in PhD and targeting on getting my professional
certificate for Lar.
9. Have you been involved in any activities outside work that related to the fields
of landscape architecture?
Under ILAM, I collaborate to organize the ILAM northern tractor that involve all
landscape architects in Malaysia by organizing site visits and professional talk
especially on ‘Green Day’ by being one of the committees. I’m able to provide my
 experience and ideas in it. Besides, I can gain knowledge and share my experience
with lecturers and other landscape architects.
10. In your opinion what are the ethical values must have in a lecturer?
I believe as a lecturer, we need to be more sensitive in terms of people and other
elements. We see students as our client and try to tackle the problem such as
students not attending class in a positive manner. I believe that if situation or
problems handle negatively, it does not bring any rewards for both parties.

Lecturer 2

1. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

My strengths are working in groups, able to give opinions and solutions, and work
independently. My weakness is that I cannot do things last minute.
2. Are you involved in continuing education?
Sure, I always attend training or seminar that related to my job scope.
3. Why do you choose to be a lecturer instead of practicing as a landscape
architect?
Passion in teaching is best reason I become a lecturer. Besides, I like to share my
knowledge to everybody and make teaching as one of my ‘art’ in my life.
4. What classes do you like to teach and why?
I like classes that related to plants because I am very close with plants in my daily life.
These classes are plants in the tropic, plants materials and planting design.
5. Describe an experience in which you identified the educational needs of your
students and successfully develop a way to teach them.
Students always encourage working in groups to practice for the future career.
However, some students seem comfortable working individually instead of group.
This is the reason behind that most assignment will be in groups to train students
working among team members. If students insist of working individually, I will
mention that the student should do all the tasks by themselves. This usually causes the
students to change their minds.

It can be concluded that in order to be in the academic practice, one must first have the
passion in teaching and have a continuing education. Academic practice does not only
involve with teaching in the classroom, it involves in participation in other activities outside
the university such as seminars, training etc. In academic practice, it associates mostly with
students. Students is seen as clients and the future. Thus, it is important to provide
educational needs outside and inside the academic curriculum. Each individual has their own
strengths and weaknesses that is based on their environments and the way any individual
cope it.
Conclusion Wilkins, Craig L. (2015). A Soul Practitioner. In D. Pitera (Ed.) and C.L. Wilkins (Ed.),
Activist Architecture (pp. 45-48). Detroit: Detroit Collaborative Design Centre. Print.As a
conclusion, landscape architect plays a role in the development and the preservation as well
as conservation of the environment. There are a few skills set in order to be a landscape
architect which enable one to overcome a certain issue or develop an area. Landscape
architect can be practice in a few career track which is private practice, public practice,
academic practice and corporate practice. Two of chosen career track to explore is private
practice and academic practice.
In private practice, it offers many services ranging from regional planning and design of new
communities to a planting plan for a small residential garden. It involves with a team of other
professionals such as architects, engineers, contractors, etc. There are four types of private
practice which is Small firm, landscape architecture oriented, large firm, landscape
architecture oriented, multidisciplinary architecture and engineering (A/E) firm that includes
landscape architects and multidisciplinary environmental firm that includes landscape
architects.
By further explore on private practice, it can be observed that landscape architect need to be
tentative and careful when comes to design in order to reduce damage at a minimum level.
Landscape architect tend to follow trends in the design as well in order to create attract more
attention to users. References also can be found through previous projects, library and the
internet. It is important that a landscape architect need to ensure client does not over budget
and the need to compromise and convince clients in terms of design.

In academic practice, individuals are required to have a master or PhD degree. An individual
can be involving in education and research. In academic practice, an individual is
continuously involving in continuous education within or outside of campus in terms of
training, seminars etc. an individual must be patient and persists in handling situation. In
academic practice, passion is seen as a motivation in the career. Students is seen as clients
and the future. Every action has a reaction. Thus, it is important to have a good impact for the
future in terms educations both academics and ethics.
References
1. www.nationalgeographic.org
2. http://www.total FMS.org
3. https://www.asla.org/
4. Wilkins, Craig L. (2015). A Soul Practitioner. In D. Pitera (Ed.) and C.L. Wilkins
(Ed.), Activist Architecture (pp. 45-48). Detroit: Detroit Collaborative Design Centre.
Print.
5. The Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture: A Complete Guide to Starting
and Running Your Own Firm 2nd Edition