Designing the Sustainable Landscape

Subject 705-420 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 25.00
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

A level-3 Landscape Design subject.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Mr Sidh Sintusingha
Subject Overview:

This subject integrates ecological and cultural studies through advanced studio-based application. The issues of sustainability as they relate to the planning and design professions are explored through the medium of a major site, with a program of guided exercises culminating in a major presentation. Students will be expected to demonstrate critical awareness of the issues and pursue with rigour a strategy of design from the conceptual to the resolved, addressing the process of balancing resource use and conservation through time. Students will present and defend their concepts to an external jury of professionals and interested parties, using appropriate selected media and techniques that demonstrate advanced command. The basis of the design (theoretical, conceptual and practical) will also be presented in report form.

On completion of the subject students should be able to:

  • Critically explore the collisions of culture, ecology, and development
  • Assume that ecology is not an impediment to creativity and development
  • Be futuristic and optimistic for the future of open space at selected major sites, while being grounded on the realities of the site
  • Be committed to exploring contemporary expressions and new landscape forms
Assessment:

Progressive assessment of project and written work, and review of portfolio of all assignments set during semester, to the equivalent of not more than 10 000 words.

Assessment comprises:

  • Group work on Open Space Review and Strategy (15%)
  • Sustainability Theory Review (10%)
  • Research paper on ESD (Ecologically Sustainable Design) technologies / techniques (10%)
  • Individual Major Design Project (55%)
  • Portfolio of all assignments (10%)
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

  • Team work within groups as well as at the level of the entire studio
  • Development of site analysis skills, interpretation of base material and processing the on-site evidence/experience
  • Exploration of the ephemeral and poetic qualities of the ecologies of the selected major site
  • Acquisition of knowledge of techniques and technologies for applied ESD (Ecologically Sustainable Design) principles
  • Research and report writing skills
  • Development of a personal design ethos in relation to ESD
  • Representational skills and graphic techniques, both hand and digital as appropriate
  • Design skills working at a range of scales
Links to further information: http://www.abp.unimelb.edu.au/environments-and-design-students/abp-ugrad-students.html

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