310032 Terrain and Technology in Landscape Architecture

Details
Responsible DepartmentForest & Landscape

Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits15 (ECTS)
 
Level of CourseMSc
 
ExaminationContinuous Assessment

written examination and oral examination

Portfolio Examination


All aids allowed

Description of Examination: An individual portifolio is based on a landscape architectural project, theoretical and IT subjects.

Weight: 70 % is the landscape architectural project, 20 % is IT . 10 % is overall insight and understanding



7-point scale, external examiner
 
Requirement for Attending ExamHanding in project and exercises.
 
Organisation of TeachingTerrain and technology is a part of an international package, it is based on IT and the softwareprogram AutoCAD, civil 3D.
 
Block PlacementBlock 1
Week Structure: Outside schedule
 
Language of InstructionEnglish
 
Restrictions45
 
Course Content
The course is split into smaller units. Introduction to software, analysis of landscape archtectural projects, small excercises about terrain in a terrain gallery, and larger landscape design project.

The students will in groups study: terminology, terrain vocabulary, a specific period, the works of a single landscape architect, design types (e.g. cemeteries or City Hall plazas), technical aspects, design principles, a historical overview or to produce a review of previous literature. The work will be carried out in groups of both Danish and international students.

Introductions to the different subjects and approaches will be given as lectures.

The analysis of the landscape architect project is based on an introduction to digital terrain models using software that deals with the terrain as an intelligent object.

The digital terrain model is not only a representation of the landscape, but the source for exploration, sketching, analysis, cut and fill calculations stakeout plans etc. The following subjects will be presented: Intelligent landscape modelling, building a terrain model, existing terrain, triangulation, terrain analysis, signs indicating terrain form, proposed terrain, alignments, profiles and visualization. The subjects will primarily be introduced in the first 4 weeks of the course and are expected to be used in an active way in the rest of the course.

The software used is CIVIL 3D, which is an AutoCAD product. The landscape analysis will be on selected Danish landscape architect projects handed out to the students, and the presentation of the analysis should be in PowerPoint presentation.

In the last 5 weeks the students make a landscape design in which terrain modelling has a certain importance as for example relocation of surplus soil, landscaping a mass takeout area, a design for a square on a sloping terrain or noisebarriors along a highway. The subject is fixed each year by the choice of project area.

This is basically a landscape design project, but it is required to reflect on the theoretical knowledge obtained and presented (by all groups) in the first part of the course. During the process course participants may be asked to make studies that explore specific themes in their project.


 
Teaching and learning Methods
Terrain and technology is a projectbased full time course with a mixture of lectures, exersices and studies based on group- and individual work. Access to the computers is reserved in at least 2 out of three moduls.
 
Learning Outcome
Learning outcome is are to comprehend and develop knowledge and understanding of the terrain as one of the most important issues in landscape architecture. Technology in this course is both landscape technology and information technology. Landscape architecture frames the agenda and objectives of terrain works. Landscape architecture also sets the values for evaluation of the student work. Landscape technology occurs under the design process, and is one of the main reasons to reframe questions and design intension. The process, which gives new opportunities and changes the designprocess, is discussed and trained.

After completing the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge
- sum up terrainmodelling in Danish Landscape Architecture and theory on terrain
- reflect about digital terrain modelling tools and terrain.

Skills
- apply digital modelling and design a grading, surface and terrain plan in a landscape architectural project
- Read, analyse and understand terrain plans.

Competences
- analysing, programming and designing terrain

 
Course Literature
Strom, Steven and Nathan, Kurt, Site Engineering for Landscape Architects, Third Edition, John Wiley & Sons. 1998. 293 pages.

Web:
www.novaland.kvl.dk
 
Course Coordinator
Torben Ebbesen Dam, toda@life.ku.dk, Forest & Landscape Denmark/Unit of Landscape, Phone: 353-31797
Ian Jørgensen, iajo@life.ku.dk, Forest & Landscape Denmark/Unit of Landscape, Phone: 353-31779
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Work Load
lectures30
practicals120
project work160
preparation82
examination20

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