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landscape architecture
The Landscape Architecture section designs parks, plazas and right of ways for Public Works and other City agencies.  The section works on projects from the conceptual phase through construction for a wide array of projects. The section uses software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, the Adobe Design Suite, SketchUp and Microsoft Excel to rendered plans/sections/perspectives, 3D-models, construction documents and cost estimates. 

Community Meetings

Because the projects we work on are for the public, Landscape Architecture is heavily involved with the community. During the planning phase of projects, community meetings are held for the project and are open to the public. We value input of our community members and try to incorporate their feedback to the best of our abilities. 

Interns assist the landscape architect with the design vision. This includes preparing necessary documents, such as analysis diagrams, renderings, graphs and cost estimates. It is vital to communicate clearly and effectively in order to get the most feedback from the members of our community.

Presentations

Interns develop graphics that aid designs through the conceptual phase until they are ready to be presented to clients, the public and other stakeholders for presentations.

Presentations are necessary to convey information visually in a cohesive, thorough and concise manner.  Interns construct and organize presentation slides that contain descriptions, existing site conditions, inspirational imagery, diagrams and architectural drawings/renderings that supplement the design being presented.  

Inspirational imagery communicates the design intent of the given project through similar concepts, materials, and layouts. Standard architectural drawings such as plans, sections, and elevations are included in presentations to show designs clearly and usually to a specific scale.  Architectural renderings are an essential form of presentation graphics that allow users to visualize the space through different views that often show aspects of the design that cannot be shown in plan view. 

Construction Documents
& Contract Administration

Our group collaborates with various specialists throughout the City to work out the technical details of a project, some of whom include traffic, mechanical, electrical and structural engineers. For a typical landscape architecture scope, construction documents often include layout, irrigation and planting plans, as well as many unique construction details. 


Throughout the process we are simultaneously putting together estimates for the construction costs and working with local manufacturers and artists to create custom art elements, such as site furnishings, pavers and planters.

After a public bidding process, a landscape architecture intern will likely spend time at a project site overseeing the construction methods, learning about submittals and participate in many other steps of the construction process.   

Conceptual Design

The Landscape Architecture section works with community members and other clients (i.e. Recreation & Park Departments, Muni, the Port of San Francisco) to develop designs for projects throughout San Francisco.

Project types include:
  • Parks
  • Plazas
  • Streetscapes
  • Parklets
  • Playgrounds
  • Trails
  • Gardens
  • Memorials
  • Stormwater management
  • Green Infrastructure

Site visits

As landscape architects, comparing what exists and what is needed is the impetus for a project. As an intern, visiting sites and documenting conditions is crucial. Meetings between the key players in a project, the project lead, manager, contractor and client, mostly take place onsite. An intern will prepare for and document these meetings by gathering pertinent history, existing conditions maps, and surveys. During the visit, interns document plant conditions, locations of utilities, and any unforeseen elements that appear in the field. After site visits, these conditions are noted on maps and documents for others involved in the design to be briefed on. Images taken by interns on the site will be compiled and shared.

 Student Trainee

Under supervision, the student trainee assists full time staff in all aspects of landscape architectural design and construction. Landscape improvement projects include City parks and recreational areas, urban plazas, boulevards and roadways, and building improvements for other City agencies.

The student trainee will assist in the preparation of preliminary conceptual designs and renderings.  He or she will use graphic software and hand drawing to convey the design intent to various clients, agencies and community groups.

The student trainee will assist in the preparation of contract documents of landscape architectural projects.  This includes preparation of base maps, construction details, and construction documents. He or she will also assist with cost estimates, material research, and specification writing.

The landscape architecture section strives to include student trainees on site visits whenever possible.  He or she will assist field investigations by visiting project sites to evaluate existing conditions.  Field investigations may include inventories of existing landscaping and improvements, field measurements, and identifying constraints and opportunities for development.

The student trainee will be included in field investigations of landscape projects in construction.  He or she will assist staff on the inspection of construction to ensure quality and conformance to plans and specifications.