| PROJECT [Candidate Selections / Varied durations] | TOPIC/ THEORY (Cumulative sequence) | ASSIGNMENT (See itemized sheets) | REFR |
| INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW | • “Conceptualizing the ‘Landscape Architectural Realm’” § Philosophical --Existence/ meaning/ value (extrinsic & intrinsic). Design prelude --Meta-Models: interpretation/ projection. (Theory laden observation; paradigms; creativity. --Human faculties: percept ion sensation / emotion/ thought & concepts “intuition” --Design: Aesthetics/ science/ other theories. --Logical structure: tree-hierarchy, cross-cut, net, broken-lattice; fractal; episodic; deconstructive. --Mereolgy: part/ relation/ whole; Synergy/ entropy. (single/ plural/ total; Unity/ complexity; order/ chaos) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- • Scope awareness: Type projects & connections throughout scales of Land Arch Design continuum: ‘Intimate to global’. • ‘Design Process’: “Left & Right” brain ideation ‘methods’ controversy; Creative experimentation & openness; “Framing”. Analysis/ Synthesis; Design phases: • Drawing Types: Conceptual/ prelim & final design presentations/ models/ working drawings: In plan/ sect/ elevation; Axonometric/ isometric/ perspective; Overlays. • History & Theory: Survey resources; Landmarks; Paradigms; Patterns; periods/ styles/ individuals. (eg Postmodernism vs modernism culture). Hist re-interpretation & critique. | Prepare a brief sketch inventory of your own favorite designs from past id/ architecture studios. Save for future in-class study exercises. Introduction: Write a brief overview of your own design philosophy, & diagram your theoretical design model. (This will be returned on last day of classes for student to compare continuities & changes). | [Note: For all projects, see: Handouts; Student work; Land Arch Mg Process (s) Bk; Timesaver Std -------------------- Simmonds Universal Traveler Reid Walker Mann Jenks |
| 2 THE SINGLE SPACE GARDEN (Abstract context) | • “The Essentials of Landscape Architecture” • Space: “Qualitative Spatial Experience”: its nature & requirements. Archetypes: rectilinear, circle-tangent, bio/ hydro/ geomorphic. Degree/ type enclosed-fenestrated; orientation; pos/ neg rel; Historic theories / relevance of space; 1-4 D Modes; Postmod; • Materials: As ‘enclosures’ (floor/ wall/ ceilings); As ‘objects’; (form/ pattern/ texture/ tone, transparent/ lucent; re distance). Plants: (exterior & interior species); habitat, requirements. Landform: Purposes & nature; “Basic topographic form-types” Structures: Buildings; wall types, trellis/ arbor, pergola; pools decks; patios/ walkways/ drives- (Brick/ stone/ concrete/ asphalt). [Basic construction principles] Special Aspects: sun, wind, (climate), scent, tactile. • Human: Perception (formal), sensation, emotion (expression), cognition (thought, represent.)— interactive w social/cultural. Behavioral/ Motion types (activity/ choreography). Function/ eco/biol-sustenance/; Protection. Prospect-refuge. | [Sketch Project (or model)] Create a polemic of single space gardens—based on variations of plants, landform, built structures, special features: 2-A) Two projects in a ‘Minimalist’ version. “Less as more”. Influenced by Volpe. 2-B) Two in a ’Complex ‘version: Of species, gardenesque layering, triangulation, accents, background, frame. (See gestalt eye movement). Influenced by Moser Plan & section-elevation sketch presentation; (Label species). | Garden Design (See also for multiple space & all resid des). Goldfinger . Volpe Theory 1 Moser Theory 1 Plants: exterior; Van Geison / Gaines: interior Sunset-type materials book. |
| 3 THE MULTIPLE SPACE GARDEN (Abstract context) |
• “Wholistic Garden Design”: Synergistic S/ M/ H ‘Systems’-- for emergent quality experience-- moving through space-time. • Ways of “Truth is in the whole” / “God is in the details”; ‘Synergy’ as magic: Gestalt science bio & physics/ art,/ spiritual aspects ((See logical structure. Part implies whole, whole implies part”. • Aspects: Aesthetic, functional, constructional wholistic systems • Design Process: Ideate, interpret, clarify, articulate //adorn //counter; “Concept”; Abstraction & layering; Motion; Form/pattern/ texture/ tone. • Formal Archetypes: generators: (+ - x ); X Mass/ Space; fld/ grnd Elements (point, line, plane, volume) Compounds (eg double node corridor; serial; central; ring; planar etc) Complexes, Overlays, Continuums • Explicate/ poeticize 'relations' between space; linguist focus/ tense interp. • Minimal & complex planting versions. • Interconnections trough; Theme/ Variation; deconstruction | [Sketch Project (or model)] Create polemic of two wholistic ‘multiple-space’ gardens (as above). a) Bubble diagram schematics (follow phases; show colored abstract overlays for systems) b) Plan & section (Label elements)
* Sculpture, performance options. | Volpe Theory-2
GSD Publish Ching Clark/Pause Thiel (notation) Condon, Krier. Moore (‘Poetics of Gardens’, with category abstractions) Jellicoe (Hist) Klee (Pedig) Halprin (space; choreography) |
| 3 (THREE-AS-ONE):
HOUSE-INTERIOR / PATIO-GARDEN / OFFSITE CONTEXT | • “Venn Narratives” (The Power of Cross-space Ideation) • One idea across many spaces: interior(s), exterior property divisions, the far-exterior, and the imagined beyond unseen context. (Spatial, material & use interrelations; illusion. Connections to reap). • Formal relations; Explosion / implosion; repetition, merging, transition interlock, dialogue & dialectic). | [Full Project] Cross-space contextual scale/ local ideation diagram. Plan & section (interior to exterior). | Progressive Architecture |
| 4 A TOTAL RESIDENCE Selected site & Client -profile | • “Complete Site & Garden Design” (Determinants & Creation) • Existing-Site analysis; Client // Program. • House: Architectural concept; locating the house on the property. • Landscape: vehicular; pedestrian walk & special hard space; green- space/ garden/ woodland Special planting; effective creative landform.
| [Full Project] Conceptual alternatives. Presentation plan with labeled plantings/ list; landform features; structural layout/ form, planting, Longitudinal & lateral sections | Rudenstien USGS Volpe; Van Valkenburgh Eckbo, Kiley, Rose; Church |
| 5 POET’S GARDEN |
• “Landscape as Language”: (Layering Symbolic Meaning) • Semiotic Reference: Simile, metaphor, analogy, allegory, symbol, icon. • Literary tropes: irony, paradox, hyperbole, litotes, iteration; • Logical tropes: contradiction, contrariness, contraposition, rhyme. • Syntaxes. | [Exercise project] Write some garden ideas; sketch diagrams. Add-option ideas for sculptures; buildings. | Abrahms Moriarty Spirn Alexander Hargreaves; Walker Swartz Bachelard |
| 6 RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY PARK | • “Creating a ‘Neighborhood’”: (Open-Space/ Mixed- Housing/ Recreation Subdivision providing for ways of Life). • Neighborhood as physical / sociology. Political overviews. Proxemic/ distemic space; public/ private, active/ passive beh transitions. • Archtypes: diverse housing (single/ duplex/ cluster); open space hierarchy types / vehicular strategies /& calculation; Special pattern language (typologies). • Ecology/ Sustainability; fixed/ open-ended complexity. | [Exercise project] | Utopias & new- town collection Newman & Greenbee Alexander Andres / Plat Z. Condon Untermann Dichiara |
| 6 HOTEL COMMISSION (Alternate project: Corporate Complex)
(Comprehensive) Selected sites/ by photo | • “Multiple-Scale Design”: relation of concepts across & between different scales-- [a formal / semantic narrative).
Marking different scales, and how they interrelate & inform each other. Push / pull; Top down/ bottom up. • The great context interpretation (as a ‘concept’ of existing region/ off site) • The whole site as an idea. Program • Site parts (building design; all exterior site elements • Interior subparts …
| [Primary Full project] a) 5000 Scale Contextual concept (Interpretation of region, and how the hotel intervention is contributive part of regional setting). b) 100 Scale Site Plan/ Sect : (building concept; vehicular; pedestrian walks, hard/soft spaces, ret pond, amenities) c) Interior Atrium garden @ 10 scale: layout & planting plans; working drw/ sections c’) Dinning room options. | SWA EDAW Gaines Austin |
| 7 CAMPUS DESIGN | • “High-Programmatic Master Planning Process” • Research-study: college-design prototypes in history • Analysis: site & client / special data • Programming: creating a Mission Statement, and what follows. • Academic/ residential/ administrative/ athletic/ fine arts-performance; (with criteria & relational schematics). • Concept-Integration: physical ideation of buildings outdoor hard & green space systems; vehicular hierarchy/ parking types; planting/ arboretum; basic use of water /landform amenities; | [Team “charrette presentation”] a) Class “research”/ analysis presentation;
b) Proposals (3 boards/ team):
Generic Site select ion Idea development diagrams. 100 Scale Design Plan/ sects.
| Dober Model site documents. casebook |
| 8 URBAN DESIGN REVITALIZATION | • “Organic Town Design/ Process: History as Place” (Context, Target, Content-- in political economic social setting). • Preview Study: Regions & Cities (Models) • Inventory, Analysis, Composite, Synthesis • Goals & Objectives / (Formulation of program & guidelines) • Concepts: Forging a Strategic range meaningful alternative “big ideas” • Final Designing: Whole of Urban Simultaneous-Systems and areas. | [Team Sketch-projects]) a) Class Inventory, Sum Analysis. b) Create four strong alternatives for town revitalization. Conceptual aspects. |
Bacon French Kott/ Krieger; Alexander (A City is not a Tree; Pattern Language). Volpe model/ U Mass Cases. |
| 9 INTERIOR MOTIFS | • “Effective Adjunct Interior landscape scenarios” • Classic types: Free standing receptacles; furniture, half-walls, petition/ column units; entries/ rhythmic corridor / termini; windows; balconies; floor layering; elevator spotters, wall-hangs, over-hangs. • Basic maintenance components. • Lighting; sculpture/ painting integration | [Individual Vignette sketch] (18 designs) | ID magazine; Sweets Catalog |
| 10 FLOWER ARRANGEMENT | • “High Art at Intimate Scale”: Worlds within Worlds • Flower design (table): visual/ tactile/ audio/ olfactory extensions. • Composition, emotion, representation again. History/ styles; • Notes: eg Background; Intimate—but connecting to context. | Individual quick-concept sketches (5 designs) | |
| 11 CIVIC COMPETITIONS | • “ ‘Perfect Insight’: In Search of the Big Idea. A big idea to subsume program, with subordinate/ supportive ideas. Dictum informs/ informed by details. • “The Big Idea”: Definition, hallmarks & why. How get it (‘you know it when you see it’!); Vs complex, unclear, & anti-big postmodern view. Tracking • Thrilling Scenario: “Every competition familiar, every one unique!” : The competition call; registering; getting the packet. The way ideas come, the way to integrate simply. Strategy & presentation-- mailed by deadline. Unveiling the big answer; accessing ten years later. § [Case Studies/ lessons-- by comparison]: - Public City Squares: (Boston): Copley (15), City Hall & Post Office (9) - National Memorials: FDR; JFK (2); MLK (2); Korean & Vietnam Wars. - Special Celebrations: Peace Garden; Parc Villette; Brooklyn Museum. | (Individual Quick brainstorming charrettes throughout semester) | Competitions Magazine Great ideas in history items. Reserve collection Big Idea Essay AD Book of other design realms: jewelry furniture, other product; Autos. |
| * FIELD TRIPS “For Remembrance” | § Campus excursions/ outdoor class : (Spontaneous . . ,.) § Harvard Yd/ GSD lecture & exhibit.: (Wednesday --/--/--/) § Boston and Arboretum: (Saturday --/--/--/ ) | Supplementary schedule. Cameras & sketch-pads invited! | * |
| [POST-COURSE] LANDSCAPE PROJECTS | § ID Thesis Advisory: Landscape architectural required component-- integral to the senior final ID project. Relates 3-scales of attention:
a) “Context Board”: Locus; Region-district/ concept relation. (required) b) “Site-Plan Board”: As Whole. (Includes building-design, vehicular/ pedestrian/ amenities/ open space; abutting infrastructure. (required) c) “Interior Board(s)” : Landscape space/ elements (as applies)
| Presentation strategy by student/ Id advisor | See primary I.D.research. Past student work. |
| § Independent Elective: Special Landscape Architecture Project (1 credit) | By Arrangement | New research. |
