The Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture: A Complete Guide to Starting and Running Your Own Firm
The all-inclusive reference to starting and operating a landscape architecture firm\ The Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture, Second Edition is completely revised to keep up with the latest developments driving the day-to-day operation of a successful private-practice landscape architecture office. Whether helping a landscape architecture student identify a career track, providing direction on starting a new office, guiding an owner seeking to jumpstart a stagnant or fledgling...
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The all-inclusive reference to starting and operating a landscape architecture firm The Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture, Second Edition is completely revised to keep up with the latest developments driving the day-to-day operation of a successful private-practice landscape architecture office. Whether helping a landscape architecture student identify a career track, providing direction on starting a new office, guiding an owner seeking to jumpstart a stagnant or fledgling business, or assisting a landscape architect-in-training study for the national Landscape Architecture Registration Exam (LARE), this single-source blueprint is the key to prospering in this dynamic field. This new edition features:Indispensible information for practicing landscape architects, including professional ethics, finances, office administration, marketing and promotion, and project managementAn updated look at government regulatory laws, federal tax administration, sustainable design, and LEED certificationStrategies for using the Internet, computer software, and technology to market and manage a firmExamples of professional contract templatesCase study profiles of landscape architecture firmsRequirements for professional registration and criteria for taking the national exam This comprehensive and practical reference combines real-world experience with the highest professional standards to instruct the reader on business concepts. Expertly organized and easy to follow, The Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture, Second Edition continues to be the one source that landscape architects need to direct all facets of their practice.
Introduction1 The Profession of Landscape Architecture and Professionalism 1Brief History of the Profession 2Professional Career Tracks 17Professional Licensure 21Professional Development 25Professional Societies 27The Influence of Technology on the Landscape Architecture Profession 432 Clients and Projects 53Who Are the Landscape Architect's Clients? 53What Elements Determine the Landscape Architect's Clients? 55Landscape Architecture Projects 148Architectural and Engineering Clients 148Public-Sector Clients 1503 Case Studies 169HNTB Corporation: Large Multidisciplinary A/E Firm 171Large Landscape Architecture Firms 180The Acacia Group, Inc. Small Landscape Architecture Firm 191Valley Crest Landscape Development: Large Integrated Design-Build Firm 203Denver Service Center, National Park Service: Public Practice 212Rain Bird: Corporate Practice 2234 Professional-Practice Relationships 236Prime-Consulting Relationships 237Multiple Direct Consulting Relationships 237Subconsulting Relationships 238Landscape Architect/Owner Relationship 238Landscape Architect/Allied Professional Relationship 255Landscape Architect/Contractor Relationship 258Landscape Architect/General Public Relationship 2615 Finance 264Six Considerations for Raising Funds 264Three Phases of Financing a Firm 266Equity Financing 273Debt Financing 280How Lenders Evaluate a Loan Request 280Trade Credit 285Summary---Planning, Action, Adjustment 2876 Accounting 292The Landscape Architect as Financial Manager 292Financial Accounting Information 294Financial Management Information 306Financial Accounting Systems 314Recording Financial Information---Elementary Accounting 317Selecting an Accountant 319Accounting Software 319Overview of Accounting: Six Integrated Components 3217 Business Administration and Record Keeping 324Job Number---The Key to Office Administration 325Time Keeping 327Filing and Records Management 329Landscape Architecture Office Files and Records Management 339Vacations, Holidays, and Sick Leave or Paid Time Off 345Product Information Files, Technical Resources, and Code Information 362Payroll Administration 364Employer's Tax Administration 365Tax Status of Nonwage Payments to Employees 3698 Marketing 373The Strategic Plan 374The Marketing Plan 378Marketing Tools and the Promotion Mix 380The Marketing Payoff 395Market Expansion---Entering New Markets 402The Marketing Staff 4069 Contracts 410Contract Basics 411Contracts with Clients---Professional Services Contract Formats 413The Elements of a Professional Services Contract with a Client 423Employment Agreements 444Negotiating a Contract 446Important Elements and Useful Contract Clauses 45910 Project Management 471What is Project Management? 471Planning, Scoping, and Organizing the Project 472Setting Up Tracking Systems 476Tracking a Project and Developing Strategies when a Project is Over Budget or Off Schedule 483Selecting and Organizing Staff 489Directing and Motivating Projects Staff 492Serving the Client and Developing a Friendly Relationship 493Providing Technical Supervision for the Project Staff 494Taking Part in Performance Reviews of Technical Staff 500Managing Construction Observation Services 503Summary 50411 Business and Personnel Law 508The Legal Environment of Professional Practice 508Discrimination 531Protecting the General Public, the Environment, and the Consumer 536Index 543
