What It’s Like to Be a Landscape Architect at LPA Design Studios

In the second of a series, landscape architect Lancelot Hunter discusses his passion for the outdoors and the career path that led him to return to an integrated design firm.

By Lancelot Hunter

A lot of times when you meet landscape architects they’ll say, “I didn’t get into the architecture program, so I went into landscape.” But for me, that was never that case. I always knew I wanted to do landscape architecture to some degree. I didn’t have to be convinced or get thrown into it.

I grew up with four older sisters, and as the youngest I was always looking for ways to choose what I got to do. This led me to get outside more often and choose my own adventure. Then my dad bought one of those design-your-yard software tools, like Sims, but more about how you would design a yard. I fell into a deep hole creating hours and hours of landscapes. I actually convinced my parents to redesign our front yard, which also included a pond, which I built as a freshman in high school.

When it was time to apply for college, I always thought I was going to go into engineering. And I sat in on one or two courses before I realized that was probably not for me. I had no idea landscape architecture was actually a profession. I somewhat stumbled upon it. But, in a sense, I was already involved in it.

After I received my Bachelor of Science in landscape architecture from Cal Poly Pomona, I spent four years at LPA, until I was laid off when the market slumped in 2011. I remember that day when I was leaving, (then CEO) Bob Kupper went out of his way to run over to me in the parking lot and tell me how much he appreciated my time and my effort. He could have turned his back and walked away. And that was something that really stuck with me in regard to LPA’s principles and the culture, and the family atmosphere. It was a small gesture, but it was pretty impactful for my decision to come back.

When I left, I went to work for a more traditional landscape firm, most often working on landscape-only projects. In the traditional approach, I found, landscape architects often have little input beyond the site design. The landscape architect is told, “The building is placed here. Here is the layout of the site. Oh, and by the way, we’ve already designed a couple of the site elements. Just go ahead and shrub this area.” In the traditional firm, I didn’t feel as impactful on projects, especially projects with a larger footprint.

LPA is structured in such a way that we don’t typically go after landscape-only projects. When I returned in 2013, it was a bit of fresh air to work on different project types and work in the integrated process. With LPA there’s a more holistic approach to the site design and building layout. And it starts at the nucleus of the project, with everyone sitting at the table. As a landscape architect, I’m there at the starting point.

That early engagement is what really sets us apart, in terms of how we approach our design. At LPA, there is a symbiotic approach to the overall site and the architecture. You can’t say “landscape” without also including civil — understanding the project, the topography and hydrology. All those things are such crucial factors to how we look at the overall project. If you take any one of those components out, we do a disservice to our client.

One thing we do well here at LPA is provide a narrative that informs how we want to approach our projects and how they’re designed. There’s a consistent thread around the story-tell that carries through the entire project, not only the architecture and landscape. Having that in the onset is what makes great, compelling projects.

I’ve seen the results in several projects I’ve been privileged to work on. The Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena — a community ice project in Irvine, California, that also serves as the training facility for the Anaheim Ducks — is an excellent example of landscape architects helping to take a $110 million, 280,000-square-foot project in a new direction.

The project started as sheets of ice in a big box. It was a large scale, but in essence it was conceived as a box with ice rinks. By having the landscape architect in the initial design conversations with the architects, we were able to focus on the uniqueness of this type of project in Southern California. The site was infused with the type of environments that make Southern California special, creating a community space with elements of a boardwalk and the beach. We were able to bring more relevancy and more connection to the region, creating a new place for the community.

Another project that made a profound impact on me was the Tarbut V’Torah Community Day School, a multiphase campus that made the outdoor spaces a core part of the learning goals. Personally, it was a project that allowed me to design a lot of landscape site and design elements that you really don’t get to see very often. There were challenging grades, a green roof, custom site elements tied to a variety of activities, and a real core sense of sustainability across the campus. It was special to be able to work with such a great client who understood the importance and the impact that site design can have on the overall health of the human mind and body.

In my work, I am constantly reminded of the opportunities presented to us as landscape architects. When like-minded design professionals work together, we can create spaces that elevate people’s experiences, reduce carbon emissions and positively impact our communities. It’s more than I ever dreamed possible when I was playing in my yard all those years ago.

Lancelot Hunter is a landscape architect based in LPA’s Irvine studio, focusing on education, civic and commercial projects.