L.A.R.E. Recommended Reading

L.A.R.E. reference material list prepared by the CLARB Examination Committee.

The Bookstore at the 2025 Conference on Landscape Architecture in New Orleans (ASLA / nobilephoto)

Construction Contracts 3rd Edition / Jimmie Hinze (McGraw Hill, 2010).

Landscape Architect's Portable Handbook / Nicholas T. Dines, Kyle D. Brown (McGraw Hill, 2001).

Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards Student Edition / Leonard J. Hopper (Wiley, 2007).

Landscape Architecture Documentation Standards: Principles, Guidelines, and Best Practices / Design Workshop (Wiley, 2015).

Planning and Urban Design Standards Student Edition / Frederick R. Steiner, Kent Butler (Wiley, 2006).

Project Management For Design Professionals / William G. Ramroth Jr. (2006).

Site Analysis: Informing Context-Sensitive and Sustainable Site Planning and Design 3rd Edition / James A. LaGro Jr. (Wiley, 2013).

Site Engineering for Landscape Architects 6th Edition / Steven Strom, Kurt Nathan, Jake Woland (Wiley, 2013).

Site Planning and Design Handbook 2nd Edition / Thomas Russ (McGraw Hill, 2023).

The Sustainable Sites Handbook: A Complete Guide to the Principles, Strategies, and Best Practices for Sustainable Landscapes / Meg Calkins (Wiley, 2012).

Sustainable Stormwater Management: A Landscape-Driven Approach to Planning and Design / Thomas W. Liptan, J. David Santen Jr. (Timber, 2017).

Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture 2nd Edition / Charles W. Harris, Nicholas T. Dines (McGraw Hill, 1997).

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Sustainability Books

Guides to the Sustainable SITES Initiative® (SITES®) plus hands-on books for planning, designing, implementing, and maintaining high‑performing sustainable landscapes.

Garden Books

Garden design and coffee table books—from historical perspectives and in-depth analyses to inspiring visuals for creating stunning outdoor spaces.

Plant, Tree, and Flower Books

Comprehensive guides for cultivating and caring for diverse flora—plants, trees, and flowers—across various landscapes, ensuring vibrant and thriving environments.

History and Biography Books

Rich histories and visual records showcasing the work and legacy of landscape architects and their firms—both contemporary and historic.

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Planning, design, and how-to books on climate resilience, sustainable urban development and transportation, community engagement, and other key urban issues.