LAND 318   LANDSCAPE DESIGN I:  Landscape as Art

Fall Semester 2003

Class Time:                          MWF 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Class Room:                         A300 Langford Architecture Center

Instructors:                          Nancy J. Volkman              

                                                Office: A305

                                                Telephone: 845-5041

                                                E-mail: nvolkman@archmail.tamu.edu

                                                Office Hours: MW 12:30 – 2:00 and by appointment                                                                                    

                                                Taner R.  Ozdil

                                                Office:  A318

                                                Telephone:458-0628

                                                E-mail:  taner@tamu.edu

                                                Office Hours:  MW 11-12 or by appointment                                               

                                                Jeff Hsiao, Graduate Assistant

Prerequisite:                        ENDS 105, 115, LAND 254, 255 or instructor's permission

COURSE SYLLABUS

I.                     INTRODUCTION

Landscape architecture is "the art of design, planning or management of the land, arrangement of natural and man-made elements thereon through the application of cultural and scientific knowledge, with concern for resource conservation and stewardship, to the end that the resultant environment serves a useful and enjoyable purpose."    Land 318 is an applied introduction to the three basic areas that combined form the basis for landscape architecture:  aesthetics, natural systems, and human needs in the landscape, each of which are explored in more detail in later studio courses.  “Landscape as Art” is a studio, design course which explores the nature of the sensorial landscape and how to create such landscapes, with primary focus on aesthetics in the landscape.

Landscape as Art intends to introduce the student to four inquiries on this subject:

1.        What is landscape art?

2.        What are the media of the landscape architect as artist?

3.        What is the grammar and vocabulary of landscape art?

4.        What are sources of inspiration in art?

II.                   COURSE DESCRIPTION

LAND 318 is a beginning course in landscape architectural design.  This initial landscape architectural design course is a transition from ENDS 101/105 (dealing with basic design) to applied, land related design.  The course provides students a basic knowledge of the scope of landscape architecture, and introduces the landscape architecture student to the tools and techniques of landscape architectural design practice.  LAND 318 will develop the design, communication and human skills, which were introduced during previous basic design studios.  LAND 318 draws the student into the delight and stimulation of design thinking and landscape art.

The course concentrates on developing the vocabulary and your facility with the basic design elements and principles that are required to create dynamic landscape space, form and site-structure relationships.  In addition to the artistic component of the course, LAND 318 develops the student's skill in graphic language with an emphasis on visualization - particularly quick pencil and sketch model work that reinforces the material introduced in ENDS 115, ARTS 212, LAND 254 and LAND 255.  The use of quick perspective methods taught in LAND 254 is required on a frequent basis throughout the program to retain and develop these skills.

III.              COURSE OBJECTIVES

Our objectives in this course are: 

1.        To develop students' creative problem-solving skills (including creative attitude, way of thinking, and basic techniques).

2.        To develop students' form-making and landscape-making skills (i.e., to apply design elements and principles to transform an abstract idea or concept into a concrete 3-dimensional spatial form).

3.        To further develop students' design communication skills (both graphic, videographic and verbal, and landscape model-making skills as well).

4.        To explore the sources of landscape design inspirations (arts, nature, culture, mnemonics and the historical tradition of landscape design).

5.        To develop students' self-education and research skills.

IV.               TEACHING METHODS

Juried Studio Projects: The course will be taught primarily through juried studio projects.  Juried studio projects will be the principal source for discussions on design theory application.  Studio assignments will be on going and will be from one to five week's duration.  There will be five studio projects in total throughout the entire semester.  Each student is required to complete design projects individually or in team.

Sketch Problems:  Throughout the course, one-day sketch problems will be assigned to emphasize particular aspects of on-going project work, to assist in the development of the work or to explore elements and principles of landscape as art.  Students will be expected to come to the studio with materials to execute three-dimensional sketch models (i.e. cardboard, recycled materials, tape, glue, colored paper, etc.).  The focus in a sketch problem is to develop your ability to think quickly and translate ideas into physical form.

Lectures and Discussions: Lectures and discussions will be presented during class.  These lectures will be used to present new projects, review current projects and to discuss information from the text and other selected reference materials.

Quizzes.  Reading assignments will be made from the course text and quizzes will be given to assure that a fundamental level of understanding from the material has occurred.  Material from lectures and discussions will also be covered in the quizzes.

Design Critique:  Learning to utilize the language of design and evaluate the designs of others is an important part of growth in design skills.  During the semester a written design critique essay will be assigned.

V.                  GRADING POLICY

The design process requires a unique combination of individual creative thought and concentration and instructor and peer review.  Design progresses through doing.  The studio structure is created to facilitate the progress.  Design is something we do together so that faculty can understand and guide the student through their projects, and the student can take advantage of learning from each other.

Studio assignments will be of sufficient complexity to warrant taking full advantage of the available studio hours when instructors are available for discussions and critiques.  Important information is given out daily in class.  It is your responsibility to be there to receive the information.  Late or incomplete work will not be acceptable for credit.

The sketch problems will be graded based upon completion of your idea or concept in a creative design form.  Each sketch problem will constitute a component of the on-going project grade and is calculated as one of the days in the project schedule. 

A significant portion of the semester's work will be done during class time.  In order to be excused from a sketch problem or any other graded in class activity you must have a documented University-excused absence.

The student's final grade of this course is also determined by the following components as evaluated with each project:

Completion of the work on-time

Daily preparedness for Desk Crits

Progress both creatively and technically

Attention to and contribution to class activities

Quality of conceptual and design work

Presentation of the design work

Studio Projects, including sketch problems:   70%        (The relative weight of each project is equal to 

                                                          the proportion of the time spent on each project as summarized in section VII)  

Quizzes                                                            10%                                              

Portfolio:                                                         10%

Design Critique                                              10%              

VI.                 TEXTBOOKS                        

John L. Motloch. Introduction to Landscape Design., Second Edition. John Wiley and Sons, 2001.

Additional readings from various sources to be assigned as  needed.  Copies of these will be placed in the Technical Reference Center.

VII.                SEMESTER OUTLINE

VIII.  FIELD TRIPS

During the semester, field trips and site visits are an important part of class work.  Students will be expected to dress appropriately and to provide their own transportation.  If you are not able to attend, please make alternate arrangements prior to the date of the field trip or site visit.

IX. ADA POLICY STATEMENT

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provided comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities.  Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities.  If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities in Room 126 of the Koldus Building, telephone number 845-1637.

X. COURSE MATERIALS

The student is expected to provide all graphic and 3-D modeling and sketching materials.  The expected cost of the materials for the completion of the work in the class is $200.00.  Savings can be realized by buying in bulk with other students (check the web), using found materials and careful planning.  Many models can also be made from found materials. The text is $65 new.  We will also put the books on reserve at the TRC.  Transportation for the field trip will cost less than $20.