Graduate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Chartered Landscape Architect, MBA and Barrister, Gordon Rowland Fraser draws upon 30 years of project management, professional practice and teaching experience to provide an uncomplicated and intuitive guide to the business aspects of the landscape profession. An indispensable reference for seasoned professionals, the book will enable the student or novice practitioner to turn their drawing board inspiration into reality without being overwhelmed or afraid of overseeing the implementation of their proposals. Guided by the Landscape Institute's 2013 Pathway to Chartership syllabus, this structured, step-by-step, narrative guide sets out the documentation commonly used within the landscape profession and makes accessible a logical and sequential understanding of contractual relationships; procurement strategies; processes of preparing client estimates and obtaining competitive quotations; of preparing contract documentation and administering formal contracts; general concepts of law as they relate to land management and the landscape profession; of business administration, market appraisal and positioning; and of the landscape consultant's appointment. As an understanding of professional practice is intrinsic to all Landscape Institute accredited courses, this is an essential text for every landscape architecture student during their education and their subsequent journey into professional practice. Those undertaking Garden Design Diplomas will similarly find the book invaluable as they venture into the world of creativity and commerce, while the seasoned practitioner will find it a comprehensive point of reference to add to their bookshelf.
Industry Reviews
'Landscape Professional Practice is a long awaited book giving true up-to-date information about the nitty-gritty of professional practice. This is a must-read book for all pre-pathway to chartership students and young professionals, both for confidence in practice and in passing the pathway exam. The book will fill in many essential knowledge gaps for these graduates to fast track them to CMLI status. This is desperately needed, because there are far too few landscape professionals, and more books like this will help to at least fast track the few new professionals and future stars of landscape design to become contributing, and productive members of the profession more quickly. The book is well laid out and an excellent reference. I will be buying one and urging all my staff to do so too.' James Blake, James Blake Associates, UK 'Just as Hugh Clamp's Landscape Professional Practice was a "must have", "must study", "must refer to" professional reference of the late twentieth century, so Gordon Fraser's new reference will be the favoured reference of the early twenty-first century. This book will be an important reference guide for many years to come, helping to identify, clarify and elucidate many of the fundamental elements of professional practice for landscape architects not only in the UK but around the world.' Nigel Thorne, Consultant Landscape Architect/Specialist Landscape Manager, UK 'It is unique to find a book that offers such a wide range of professional and business performance topics, and relate them to a particular profession. Gordon, with his unique professional background, has achieved this with Landscape Professional Practice. The aims of chapters are clearly presented, and the breadth of experience is impressive, covering business management concepts, professional ethics, negligence, and a range of other subjects of importance to landscape professionals. I hope many professionals will benefit from the knowledge and experience this publication has to offer.' Chris Sheridan, Landscape Institute, UK Any Professional Landscaper would (therefore) be well advised to acquire Landscape Professional Practice ... In lucid text, helpfully punctuated by bullet points, Fraser covers professional standards, contract law, planning, health and safety, and contract administration. The book will tell you how to draw up your contracts and how to manage both your business and your clients. Historic Gardens
