23,700. That’s the number of landscape architects in the U.S. Furthermore, landscape architects earn $70,630 each year on average. When you’re in such a lucrative field, you must know the trends to stay on top. We’re going to help you with it.
In the next five minutes, learn the 8 landscape architecture trends for 2022:
1. Why people are opting for eco-friendly practices
2. Why do people want more garden space
3. Why are people choosing pet-friendly upgrades
4. Why people are opting for kitchen gardens
5. Why people are choosing gravel gardens
6. Why people are choosing evidence-based designs
7. Why people are adding slot drains
8. Why do people want to build retaining walls
9 Landscape architecture trends
1. Opting for eco-friendly practices
6 out of 10 Americans believe global climate change is a threat. The concern will show in trends in landscape architecture.
People will:
- Opt for native plants for landscaping. Native plants grow well without much care as the plants are accustomed to the climate. Furthermore, native plants never harm the ecosystem; something non-native plants can do.
- Choose Xeriscaping. The practice creates a landscape that needs little to no irrigation to maintain. The practice is especially helpful in times of water shortages, droughts, and extreme heatwaves.
- Include stormwater mitigation. The practice will help prevent flooding and drainage issues. Stormwater mitigation includes creating rain gardens and installing drainage solutions.
2. Increasing garden space
U.S. citizens spend up to 90% of their time indoors. No wonder U.S. citizens crave the touch of nature. Maximizing the garden space is the easiest way to achieve the same.
You can maximize the garden space by:
- Building a garden using the patio space
- Opting for vertical gardens
- Opting for container gardens
Brandaw Residence at Echo Canyon, Phoenix, Arizona by 180 Degrees Design + Build. image © An Pham Photography
Furthermore, as the average U.S. citizen works up to 9 hours a day, U.S. citizens prefer low-maintenance plants. Artificial plants are a great alternative as the plants can thrive only with daily dusting and a weekly washdown.
3. Choosing pet-friendly upgrades
70% of Americans spent more time with their pets in 2020. Furthermore, 10% of Americans brought a new pet home.
Thus, the pet parents will invest in pet-friendly upgrades such as:
- Adding synthetic turf in the lawn and teaching pets to use the turf as a bathroom. The process helps prevent dead spots on the lawn. If you don’t know, pet urine such as dog urine burns grass as the urine contains high amounts of nitrogen and related salts.
- Investing in fences so that their pet doesn’t run away.
- Opting for dog runs.
4. Opting for kitchen gardens
34% of U.S. citizens garden either daily or weekly. However, the citizens lack the space to do so with 27.1% of Americans needing more space within two years of moving into a new home.
The solution? Kitchen gardens.
Homeowners will prefer herb gardens as:
- Herb gardens need low maintenance
- Herb gardens need lesser space than other gardens
- You can use the produce from the herb gardens in cooking and drinks
5. Introducing gravel gardens
If you live in dry areas prone to drought, gravel gardens are the perfect option for you.
Gravels:
- Work as a ground cover and as a cover in raised beds for a natural feel and look. Furthermore, gravels create borders around garden beds as well.
- Are easy to install and maintain.
- Resistant to extreme temperatures and weather conditions.
Brandaw Residence at Echo Canyon, Phoenix, Arizona by 180 Degrees Design + Build. image © An Pham Photography
6. Using evidence-based design
Evidence-based designs are the future of landscape architecture.
The trend will continue to thrive with:
- Popular online tools such as the Carbon Conscience app and the Climate Positive Design.
- Increase in the number of landscape architects who can develop tools and know how to code.
Evidence-based designs allow landscape architects to:
- Develop solution-based tools including designing to regulations such as carbon sequestration, permeability requirements, ADA, biomass, and green area.
- Envision opportunities for improvement and change throughout the project lifespan.
- Develop master plans based on multiple scenarios.
7. Adding slot drains
If you’re asking, “What are the current trends in landscape architecture?” slot drains is one of the answers.
Slot drains:
- Features a durable stainless-steel design. The drains blend seamlessly with the surrounding concrete or pavers; thus appearing aesthetically speaking.
- Takes less time, effort, and money to clean. You’ll need to spend up to $1,664 a year to clean slot drains. Compare that to the up to $15,860 a year that you’ll need to spend to clean a trench drain and you’ll see how much you’ll save.
- Comes with slopes that drain water and sediment instead of collecting the water and sediment in the channel.
8. Building retaining walls
Retaining walls will be a part of modern landscape design as:
- Retaining walls keep the soil in place. The feature is especially beneficial if the landscape has small hills. The walls act as a barrier and prevent the soil from sliding forward in a landslide.
- Retaining walls offer protection against soil erosion.
- Retaining walls helps in flood control. Integrate the drainage pipes and channels into the construction for even better water and drainage control.
- Retaining walls lower the gradient through terracing. The process allows water to soak into the soil instead of running off the surface.
Landscape Architecture Trends — the field will continue to grow
Is there a demand for landscape architects in the future? Here’s what the data says.
Each year, businesses hire 1,600 landscape architectures. Furthermore, experts claim landscape architecture will grow by 6% through 2026. Thus, the landscape architecture field will witness steady growth over the years.
In this article, you’ve learnt 8 landscape architecture trends:
1. How people are opting for eco-friendly practices
2. How people are increasing garden space
3. How people are choosing pet-friendly upgrades
4. How people are opting for kitchen gardens
5. How people are introducing gravel gardens
6. How people are opting for evidence-based design
7. How people are adding slot drains
8. How people are building retaining walls
Knowing these trends will help you navigate the field better.
