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2.3. The Role of Landscape Architects in Zoo Design

2.3.1. Credentials of Landscape Architects

Although the American Society of Landscape Architects celebrated 100 years of service in 1999, there are still misconceptions about the profession. Landscaping means to arrange where plants should grow in a park, yard, or garden. Thus, landscape architects are often believed to be aesthetic designers. In fact, the credentials of landscape architects go far beyond this concept.

In their academic training, landscape architects gain knowledge of:

  • the forming features and dynamics in natural landscapes
  • plant societies and the composition of their different layers
  • plant species' demands, such as light, water, and nutrients
  • plants' appearances, such as size, form and colors of  the whole plant at different ages; its bark, foliage, blossoms, fruits; the density, texture and reflectivity of foliage
  • spatial requirements of people.
They are also trained to:
  • create different solutions for design problems,
  • think innovatively and
  • communicate.
To be certified, landscape architects must take an exam to ensure that they have the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform their tasks. This exam generally includes:
  • legal and administrative aspects of practice,
  • analytical and technical aspects of practice,
  • planning and site design,
  • structural considerations and materials and methods of construction,
  • grading, drainage and storm water management.
Landscape architects are trained to design spaces in which people live, work and recreate. They often work multi-disciplinary and most of their projects are commercial and recreational.

2.3.2. Today's Tasks of Landscape Architects in Zoos

The zoo environment is especially complex because the same setting has to accomodate the needs of multiple audiences, i.e. animals, visitors, keepers, curators and sponsors. Today, plants in zoos are used outdoors and indoors, in animal enclosures and visitor areas. They have many functions, but there are also many restrictions to their use, which are important to know.

The evolution of zoos may shift towards zoological-botanical gardens as the interdisciplinary approach is thriving. "The total value of plants in many zoos far exceeds the total value of the animal collection. The success of elaborate plantings in zoo exhibits can be attributed to two things - improved technology in plant support systems (irrigation, drainage, supplemental lighting. etc.) and staffs of trained horticulturists." (Coe, 1988)

The extensive use of plants and other natural materials has multiple advantages. It is

  • aesthetically pleasing,
  • educating about habitats and
  • enriching the animals' zoo life.
Even zoos that are restricted by existing structures and limited budgets, nowadays put much emphasis on the use of plants and try to create naturalistic environments for their animals. But, "while the creation of an exhibit is more art than science, the maintenance of it is more craft than art." (Halpern, 1995).

The actual activities of a landscape architect mainly depend on his contract with the zoo. Zoo employees of course are more involved in maintenance than contractors from planning and landscaping firms.

Zoos often have a grounds department. The grounds department is mainly responsible for the maintenance of the outdoor surfaces, such as walkways, green space, and the grounds in animal enclosures, on playgrounds, picnic areas, etc. The staff is mostly horticulturists and craftsmen, sometimes with a landscape architect as the head of the department. Here, the landscape architect has to manage the tasks and the people. This does not allow much time for designing. They may do designs on a small scale. But for complex designs, they contract firms. The grounds department is usually involved in all planning procedures.

Some zoos, such as the Bronx Zoo in New York, have their own planning department. Here, landscape architects do the designs, and then contract firms for construction.

Most zoos, however, have no landscape architects employed. Some of these zoos contract professionals for specific design purposes. More often, zoos just hire the local landscape architect for their design problems. But many zoos try to get by without consulting landscape architects. To these, the landscape architect is just another expensive planner in addition to the architect they need to get a building permit.

Ideally, for zoo design, the contracted landscape architect responsible for design and construction works together with the employed landscape architect responsible for maintenance. While the permanently present landscape architect knows the characteristics of the place, the contracted landscape architect may better know and introduce new concepts. 

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Last modification: 2000/2/27		 Copyright © 2000 Monika Ebenhöh