Question
How do i go about finding a landscape architect in my area. (Houston Area)I'm looking for someone to do modern design with outdoor kitchen, pool and art or architectural feature.
new and fresh, My home on outside is Stucco with green and cream color. I have a picture from a magazine that i would like to copy some of the features. there are tons and tons of landscape company's but they all do the same old thing.
where do i start?

Answer
Sounds like you are a more savvy design-conscious person.  Glad you won抰 just pick any 搇andscaper?with a pick-up and a business card.  Any since you get to pay top dollar for it, you should get exactly what you want.

Why to use a licensed Landscape Architect, and not just a contractor or designer ?br> http://www.asla.org/residentialinfo/

Finding one ?br> http://online.asla.org/scriptcontent/index_find_firm.cfm

Since you have quite a few to choose from (46 in Houston proper, and 57 in the greater metropolitan area), look at their websites for project samples.  And a phone call is a lot less time-consuming than a one-on-one visit by 8-10 potential Landscape Architects.

Houston is also home to MANY planned communities as well, with their own unique perspective on what they will allow you to do (even in your own back yard!)  Here is a short list, but then, YOU know where you live?br>
http://www.har.com/MasterPlanned/?member_number=469749

Make sure your prospective Landscape Architect knows of any particular requirements for your subdivision, or if you/they are aware of any special Houston/Harris county zones (like a designated historical area, a planning 揷orridors?like I-45, or the downtown core, or the airport, etc.)

Price-wise, expect to pay a bit more for that better-than-average design that you desire.  Some firms are 揇esign/Build?which means that they will install it after designing it.  Others do strictly design work for a fee (usually around $100-$175/hour, or by some set-price commission), and help you find & work with a contractor to do the installation work.  The slightly above-average backyard design runs about $1,000-$1,500 in our area.  

Our local contractors will knock out a quick & simple plan for $500, then kick up the price to hide the "real" cost of their efforts - something that we Landscape Architects can't "hide in the soup", as it were.  Ethically, we have to prepare the plans so all bids from the prospective installers are for the same level of work, which is generally more detailed than just some circles, lines, and labels.

I抳e done designs for as little as $250, or as much as 10抯 of thousands of dollars.  It is a function of what all is involved in portraying that ultimate backyard oasis. Do you want a scale model?  Water-color paintings?  To get on the cover of the local design magazine? ?generally expect to pay a bit more if your aspirations are above the crowd.

Now if you have an 揺state?and a large bank account, there is lots of talent all over the U.S. Seems like there are quite a few in San Francisco, Chicago, LA, and New York, that would be willing to fly in and design something for you.

Hope it helps!  ~Marc