CIVIL ENGINEERING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: TWO EXCELLENT PROFESSIONS IN CONSTRUCTION

Continuing our support for Careers in Construction month by giving you information about two exciting professions: civil engineering, and landscape architecture. Some might think they’re very similar, however, they differ quite a bit. Firstly, the education requirement for civil engineers is typically a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree whereas landscape architects can often satisfy the requirement through an Associate’s Degree program which is two fewer years of studies. There are some similarities in the work that landscape architects and civil engineers do and sometimes they collaborate on projects. We hope this blog will help anyone who may be considering a career in either one or anyone looking to get a better understanding of the two.

Civil Engineers

Civil engineers are skilled to work on a wider range of projects than landscape architects. They design, plan, and manage major infrastructure projects such as bridges, dams, roads, and tunnels. The most commonly used software program used to design those is AutoCAD. Civil engineers know how to read and interpret survey reports and work with regulators when permits are required. Similar to landscape architects, they also consider environmental factors during their design phase and look for possible issues that could cause problems for the site. Some things they look out for include erosion, damage from earthquakes, and traffic congestion. Their ability to proactively identify possible issues is beneficial so that the site can be planned and designed efficiently. Civil engineers are also knowledgeable in various building materials and test them to determine whether or not they are reliable and suitable for use in the project. They have more in-depth knowledge about grading and underground utility management than landscape architects do. 

Civil Engineer working in CAD

Landscape Architects

Landscape architects are trained in blending natural environments through horticulture and sustainable approaches to create outdoor spaces such as parks, gardens, golf courses, and people’s yards. They consider the environmental impact of each project and strive to create a space that uses the natural aspects of the land and its vegetation. They understand and account for topographical elements whether they are natural (mountains, rivers, lakes, valleys) or manmade (roads, dams, structures). They also assess and factor in any possible issues that may arise due to things like improper drainage. Landscape architects typically use CAD software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology for their design work. Which one they use depends on the size and complexity of the project. GIS is typically used for larger projects.

Plans for Landscape Architecture project

Collaboration

When civil engineers and landscape architects are both involved in the same project, they benefit from collaborating so that their areas of expertise can be leveraged and resulting in the best outcome for the site contractor. Communication is important among all stakeholders involved and there’s no exception when it comes to these two professionals. Landscape architects can learn new things from civil engineers and vice versa. The best lessons learned often come not from the classroom but prior job site experiences. 

ECI’s team of virtual construction engineers have a combined background in civil engineering and working in the field. That combination of education and real-life work experience is irreplaceable when it comes to working on CADs and 3d models for our clients. Check out our recently revamped website to learn more about us.