CLA CLA Professional Practice & Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary difference between a landscape architect's 'construction observation' and 'construction inspection' role?
- Observation is periodic site visits to general conformance; inspection implies continuous oversight and acceptance of each element (Correct answer)
- Observation is only for public projects; inspection is for private
- Inspection is free; observation is an additional service
- There is no legal distinction between the two terms
Correct answer: Observation is periodic site visits to general conformance; inspection implies continuous oversight and acceptance of each element
Observation is periodic, professional-judgment visits to assess general conformance; inspection implies a more rigorous, continuous, and often code-required review of each element.
Question 2: Under ASLA's Code of Professional Ethics, a landscape architect discovers their client is violating environmental regulations on the project site. What is the primary ethical obligation?
- Ignore it if it does not affect the design
- Immediately terminate the contract
- Advise the client of the violation and recommend corrective action (Correct answer)
- Report the violation directly to regulators without informing the client
Correct answer: Advise the client of the violation and recommend corrective action
ASLA ethics require professionals to uphold laws and advise clients of violations, giving the client the opportunity to correct the situation before escalating.
Question 3: What is an 'errors and omissions' (E&O) insurance policy designed to protect against?
- Bodily injury on a construction site
- Professional negligence claims arising from design mistakes or omissions (Correct answer)
- Property damage from construction equipment
- Employee theft or fraud
Correct answer: Professional negligence claims arising from design mistakes or omissions
E&O (professional liability) insurance covers claims that a design professional's errors or omissions in their work caused financial harm to a client.
Question 4: A landscape architect is hired as a consultant by a civil engineering firm. Who typically holds the prime contract with the owner in this arrangement?
- The landscape architect
- The civil engineering firm (prime consultant) (Correct answer)
- A joint venture of both firms
- The owner's project manager
Correct answer: The civil engineering firm (prime consultant)
As a sub-consultant, the landscape architect contracts with the prime (civil engineer), not directly with the owner.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'geotechnical report' in landscape architecture project development?
- To document plant species on site
- To evaluate soil bearing capacity, composition, and groundwater for grading and foundation design (Correct answer)
- To measure ambient light levels for planting
- To assess tree canopy coverage
Correct answer: To evaluate soil bearing capacity, composition, and groundwater for grading and foundation design
A geotechnical (soils) report provides data on subsurface conditions critical for grading design, retaining wall foundations, drainage, and pavement design.
Question 6: Under ADA law, who is responsible for ensuring a newly designed public landscape complies with accessibility standards?
- The contractor only
- The owner, with the design professional responsible for meeting standards in the documents (Correct answer)
- The local building department
- The federal government directly
Correct answer: The owner, with the design professional responsible for meeting standards in the documents
The owner bears ultimate legal responsibility for ADA compliance, but the design professional is obligated to produce documents that meet ADA/ABA standards.
CLA CLA Professional Practice & Ethics 2
What is the primary difference between a landscape architect's 'construction observation' and 'construction inspection' role?