You're a landscape architect working in a team. What's the biggest challenge you face?

Landscape architecture is a creative and complex profession that involves designing, planning, and managing outdoor spaces for various purposes and users. As a landscape architect, you may work on projects ranging from urban parks and gardens to ecological restoration and climate adaptation. To achieve successful outcomes, you often need to collaborate with other professionals, such as architects, engineers, planners, ecologists, and contractors. However, working in a team can also pose some significant challenges that require effective communication, coordination, and compromise. In this article, we will explore some of the common issues that landscape architects face when working in a team and how to overcome them.

1 Different visions

One of the first challenges that you may encounter when working in a team is how to align your vision with your teammates and clients. Landscape architecture is a subjective and creative field that allows for different interpretations and preferences. You may have a different aesthetic, functional, or environmental approach than your colleagues or clients, and this can lead to conflicts or misunderstandings. To avoid this, you need to establish a clear and shared vision for the project from the start, and communicate it effectively through sketches, models, drawings, and presentations. You also need to be open to feedback and criticism, and willing to adjust your design to meet the expectations and needs of your stakeholders.

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Edidiong Ukpong(PhD Architecture)

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Many times we run into conflict of this manner. Here are simple ways that sorted things: Be open to suggestions. Don't hang on your own idea too much. Do further research in all matters a ground. Present your opinions with evidence. Learn to listen to others. Do case studies before coming up with design concepts

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2 Conflicting interests

Another challenge that you may face when working in a team is how to balance the interests and demands of different parties involved in the project. Landscape architecture is a multidisciplinary and collaborative field that requires input and approval from various disciplines and authorities. You may have to deal with conflicting requirements, regulations, budgets, timelines, and opinions from your teammates, clients, consultants, contractors, and regulators. To overcome this, you need to negotiate and compromise with respect and professionalism, and find solutions that satisfy the project goals and objectives. You also need to document and communicate your decisions and actions clearly and consistently, and avoid making assumptions or changes without consulting your team members.

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Jeff Thomson

Project Management | Parks Planning | Landscape Architecture | Urban Design + Placemaking
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Balancing the interests and demands of different parties involved in a project is always a challenge. It is impossible to completely appease everyone (especially those with conflicting opinions and values), but what is important is that a general consensus is reached and that rational and reasoning for decisions are clearly explained and easily tied back to the project goals and objectives.

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Edidiong Ukpong(PhD Architecture)

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Act as a master in all situations. You are the architect, you own the concept. Remember to Do further investigation before deciding on the path to take. Ask for reviews from other members of your team, professionals and market people. Always try to be up-to-date with site happenings, market value of materials. Stay in tune with the trend in landscaping. Collaborate with others. Read local authority manuals and specifications and adhere strictly to them. Of course, if not, you won't get approval for the work and the work risk demolition if it violated any part of the regulations. Show maximum respect to your colleagues, senior and junior. Align well with lawyers, you can learn conflict resolution from them too

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3 Technical issues

A third challenge that you may encounter when working in a team is how to resolve technical issues that arise during the design and implementation phases of the project. Landscape architecture is a complex and dynamic field that involves using various tools, methods, and technologies to create and deliver your design. You may have to deal with software compatibility, data accuracy, quality control, construction details, site conditions, and maintenance issues. To address this, you need to have a solid technical knowledge and skills, and keep up to date with the latest trends and innovations in your field. You also need to collaborate and coordinate with your teammates and other professionals, and seek advice and assistance when needed.

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Edidiong Ukpong(PhD Architecture)

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Use contemporary software to do your work. Though errors abound, but they are far better than manual method. Always go to site to gain experience. Implementation is different from design. Get the experience before going there as a leader, else, calamity can ensue. Collaborate with the best hands, pay them handsomely and seek technical advise when necessary. Let your design be well detailed for easy transfer on site. Update your software foe improved accuracy.

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4 Personal factors

A final challenge that you may face when working in a team is how to manage your personal factors that affect your performance and relationships. Landscape architecture is a demanding and stressful field that requires dedication, passion, and resilience. You may have to cope with tight deadlines, high expectations, long hours, and frequent changes. You may also have to deal with different personalities, styles, and cultures in your team, and handle conflicts and disagreements. To cope with this, you need to have a positive and flexible attitude, and respect and appreciate the diversity and contributions of your team members. You also need to take care of your physical and mental health, and find a balance between your work and personal life.

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Edidiong Ukpong(PhD Architecture)

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Be honest, Be collaborative. Be respectful. Be open to learn Be open to advance in knowledge. Be early to work. Keep notes. Review your targets daily and weekly. Have a schedule for your responsibilities and stick to it. Wake up early from bed. Wish yourself success on daily basis before leaving home for work. Be positive minded. Share ideas and be friendly with fellow workers. You can handle your personal factors very easily with the above.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Ibrahim KM
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Coordination: Ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding project goals, timelines, and responsibilities. Client Communication: Effectively communicating design ideas and decisions to clients, and incorporating their feedback into the design process.

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You're a landscape architect working in a team. What's the biggest challenge you face?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Different visions

2 Conflicting interests

3 Technical issues

4 Personal factors

5 Here’s what else to consider

Landscape Architecture

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You're a landscape architect working in a team. What's the biggest challenge you face?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Different visions

2 Conflicting interests

3 Technical issues

4 Personal factors

5 Here’s what else to consider

Landscape Architecture

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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