Structures in Landscape Architecture, Joint & Detail

This seminar/workshop explores how to design and make landscapes that are rationally constructed and expressively convincing. This search is focused through the lens of structural understanding. Members of the class will explore how structural principles are translated through techniques of three-dimensional drawing into practical and expressive made landscapes.

Topics
1. A visual understanding of structural principles. 
2. Constructive drawing – haptic three-dimensional thinking.
3. How the structural diagrams of landscape elements are translated into a material/detail language.
4. Case studies of historical and contemporary structures. 

Course Objectives and Outcomes
Each student will:
1. Understand structural principals.
2. Understand structurally based, three-dimensional detail design.
3. Develop a personal practice of detail design that translates structural understanding into a material, made reality. 

Method of Evaluation
1. Participation in weekly discussion groups.
2. Successful completion of in class workshop assignments. 
3. Successful completion of a final project assignment. 

Prerequisites
No prerequisites. Class is open to all students in all departments.

Weekly Course Format
1.  One hour of asynchronous class time: pre-recorded lecture (30 min), case study (30 min). These talks will be available on the course canvas site at the beginning of the semester. Prior to each weekly synchronous class students will review the appropriate talks in their own time.
2.  One hour of synchronous class time: breakout room lecture discussion (30 min), case study (30 min). 
3.  One hour of synchronous class time: workshop practice in breakout rooms.

The asynchronous lectures address the core concepts of this course. Prior familiarity with this material via asynchronous study will prepare the participants for the synchronous discussion about the topic. The case studies describe the application of these core concepts to landscape making.

As an elective seminar/workshop the class will pursue mastery of the making of landscapes.

The workshop sessions are synchronous applications of the practice of landscape design informed by an understanding of structural principles. The focus is how to make landscapes that embody ideas.