Developers and project owners often ask: when do we actually need a landscape architect? The short answer: when the site and the landscape are integral to the project's success and when you want one person thinking about how the building, the circulation, the planting, and the long-term maintenance fit together. For many projects in Ottawa and Ontario, bringing in a [landscape architect](services) early saves time, reduces change orders, and delivers a more maintainable result.
When the Landscape Is More Than Decoration
For commercial and institutional work—office buildings, campuses, civic spaces, multi-family residential—the landscape isn't just decoration. It affects access, drainage, wayfinding, and the experience of the place. Poorly planned sites lead to drainage issues, conflicts between utilities and planting, and outdoor spaces that are hard or expensive to maintain. A landscape architect specializes in tying these elements together and coordinating with the architect and engineer so the site works as a whole.
The Right Time to Bring Someone In
Bringing a landscape architect in during the early planning or design phase means site layout, grading, planting, and hardscape can be coordinated from the start. That usually leads to fewer conflicts, fewer change orders, and a finished product that's easier to maintain. If you're at the stage where you're defining the project or preparing for permit applications, that's often the right time to have a conversation. Even a single meeting or a scope limited to [site and landscape planning](services) can clarify what's possible and what you'll need down the road.
What Early Involvement Looks Like
Early involvement can mean a site visit and a written or verbal assessment, a concept plan for the outdoor areas, or full [site planning and working drawings](services) through to tender. The scope can be tailored to your budget and timeline. Many of our [case studies](gallery)—from Algonquin College in Ottawa to federal and institutional projects—started with an early conversation about program and constraints before we defined the full scope.
If you're in the Ottawa region and not sure whether or when you need a landscape architect, [get in touch](contact) for a no-obligation conversation.
Ready to discuss your project?
Contact Gino to talk through your site and landscape goals, or explore our expertise and services for commercial, institutional, and residential projects in the Ottawa area.
