Course Title: Landscape Architecture Integrated Studio 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Landscape Architecture Integrated Studio 1

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ARCH1154

City Campus

Undergraduate

315H Architecture & Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013

ARCH1154

City Campus

Undergraduate

320H Architecture & Urban Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2014

Course Coordinator: Jock Gilbert

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 1996

Course Coordinator Email: Jock.Gilbert@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course is the first Design Studio of eight in the Landscape Architecture degree program at RMIT. In this foundation course, you are introduced to the discipline, discourse and culture of Landscape Architecture: what it is, how it is theorised, and how it is practiced.

Importantly, while you are introduced to the fundamental elements that define the discipline, you are also encouraged to ’think’ landscape architecture within an expanded field of design operations: to imagine, engage with and develop the possibilities and potentials of this thing called ’Landscape Architecture’.

As an induction into Landscape Architecture, this first year of studies aims to equip you with a solid foundation of skills and experience, a kind of conceptual, experiential and operational ’tool kit’, to take into the vertical design studios and professional practice of later years. As such, this course introduces you to a range of fundamental design principles, a variety of basic design generation methods and strategies, and an array of techniques of 2D and 3D design synthesis, manipulation, visualisation, modelling and production.

While affording you this direct experience in the practice of design, this course also launches you into the visual, verbal, written and exhibition modes of design research and presentation, and initiates you into the wider design culture of peer review, feedback, discussion and critical exchange. 


 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The capabilities that are developed through the program in which you are enrolled are described in the Program Guide.

Program Capabilities which will be developed through this Foundation course are;
 

  • exploring a range of design processes
  • producing innovative forms of design
  • effectively presenting your ideas through presentations to an audience
  • exploring research methodologies in order to inform and inspire the design process.
  • engaging with urban complexity through making informed judgements about environmental, social, cultural, economic and political frameworks    through design research
  • developing effective verbal, written, graphic and visual communication


Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

 

  • implement a range of principles, methods, strategies & techniques for innovative design generation
  • achieve an understanding of a range of methods and modes of the design process
  • demonstrate a range of effective communication techniques which allow you to explore design
  • begin to develop an understanding of the application of a range of research methodologies and independent learning
  • engage with recognising, communicating and materialising the richness and complexity that defines urban space and Landscape Architecture
  • effectively present your ideas through presentations to an audience


Overview of Learning Activities

Lecture Series

Tutorials

Demonstrations and workshops

Urban Workshop.

Design Tasks

Readings

Exhibitions


 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT Library -The library has a wide range of books about design as well as online journals, periodicals and audio visual
material. The library also has computers, printers, photocopies and group meeting rooms which can
booked (can be useful for group work).


Computer Labs -As a student in the Landscape Architecture program you have 24 access to computer labs on level 11 and level 7 with
your access card. These have all of the programs which you will be introduced to in this program as well as
internet access (including your student email and the RMIT library catalogue). These can be pre-booked
online. Note that classes are held in the labs through the semester during which access by other students
occurs at the discretion of the staff member teaching that class.


Level 11 workshop -You will have 24-hour access to the workshop on level 11 throughout the semester. This workshop is
equipped with worktables etc as well as a range of rapid prototyping machines and is an open access
student space.

The Foundation Handbook -This has been handed out at orientation day on CD and is available on myRMITstudies to download. It
includes lots of good resources about built landscape projects in the city, bookshops, professional printing
services, university resources, eateries etc.

Readings-Readings will be handed out to you throughout the semester in class or made available at the RMIT
library or on myRMITstudies. The readings will deal with relevant theories and discussions of ideas that relate to the interests of the
exercise, from within and from outside of the discipline of landscape architecture-urban design. They will also
allow you to appreciate the level and sophistication of the concepts being dealt with in your design
project; as well as encouraging you to regard design as a research and analytical outcome. It is your responsibility to read your copy prior to the scheduled discussion in class.


 


Overview of Assessment

The assessment for this course is project-based and comprises a set of incremental and cumulative tasks.