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DEV Gujral is a professional landscape architect whose Delhi-based family business, which goes by the name of Landscape Development, is into landscape management services like horticulture, floriculture and landscape. They’ve done landscape design, consultancy, turnkey and maintenance jobs of leading five star hotels, corporate houses, farmhouses etc. Some of the projects Dev is particularly proud of are landscaping for the Oberoi Hotel, Sidhartha Hotel (JP Group), BARC guest house, a resort in Haryana, the US Embassy, Training Center for RAW, Gyan Bharti School, Silver Line Public School and Dabur India Ltd. Here, he shares information about the scope of landscape architecture: What is the role of landscaping in today’s world? It improves the appearance of a place, some people like to grow plants, others want their place to look good. A well-designed landscape is a pleasure for the owners of a property, it enhances and adds to the resale value. Landscape design involves much more than placing trees, shrubs and other plants on the property. It is an art, dealing with the conscious arrangement or organisation of outdoor space for human satisfaction and enjoyment. What are the qualifications for becoming a landscape architect? To become a landscape architect, one has to do a two-year post-graduate degree course (MLA) after general architecture. Most architecture colleges offer Master’s and specialisation programmes. Also, several foreign universities and recognised colleges have on-line and distance education programmes. What is the scope of the profession in India? The scope is increasing day by day as people have now started realising the importance of having professionals to do the job. Nowadays, landscape architects are involved in projects from the grassroots level to the finishing stage. They not only design the outdoor spaces but also earmark the location of the main building, driveway, interiors, other utilities etc. In the age of flats, apartments and multi-storeyed structures, isn’t the paucity of open areas a constraint for landscaping? Landscape is an integral part of home furnishings and decor. It is the green area that can add vibrant life to an entire complex, be it housing societies, corporate offices, production units or public areas. What is the scope for landscape architects wanting to work abroad ? Internationally, the concept and work domain of landscape architecture has been established long since and is now seen as being as important to a premise as general architecture. How much can a landscape architect earn? One can join a company
as landscape architect and earn a starting salary of Rs 20,000 to Rs
25, 000 per month. This would vary depending upon the institute from
where he/ she qualifies, the talent and caliber and capability of a
candidate to put dedicated efforts and creative ideas into the work
at hand. Another option is of setting up one’s own practice and
earning much higher. But this is possible after years of experience
and expertise and requires contacts and goodwill. Nowadays,
landscaping work is available in hotels, resorts, corporate
campuses, resident’s welfare associations, private residences and
public spaces, from offices to industrial buildings.
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