LNAK10032U Terrain and Technology in Landscape Architecture

The course improves the student’s ability to design terrain. Through three projects participants study and train important stages of terrain inventory and devellopment of design. All projects focus on the appearance of the terrain surface and the problem to be solved.

Digital terrain modelling plays an important role. All analyses and design development is carried out on computers. The software is the media for exploration and sketching using analysis, cut and fill calculations, surface and spotelevationsplans etc. In that regard the course is a landscape approach to BIM (building information modelling) which is developing within the building sector.

As prerequisites it is expected that student have experiences in landscape design and basic computer (CAD) technique. Based on this modelling software (Civil 3D) is introduced.

Throughout the course the following subjects are presented in lectures and through discussions: model based design, surface analysis, reading landscape surfaces, terrain styles, terrain form elements, contour patterns and form, professional approaches to surface design, terrain form in landscape history, visualizing landscape form. The knowledge gained by these discussions is brought into action in the projects and on several excursions.

The three projects play their specific educational role. In the first two teaching support students with a considerable input whereas students in the third project prove their competences gained and teaching is limited to mainly studio critiques. In project 1 students in groups are asked for an analysis of a Danish Landscape design or a specific landscape theme (E.G. terrain management in detached housing areas). Project 2 is done individuately and normally includes a technological theme (E.G. stormwater management). In the last 4 weeks the students make a landscape design in which terrain modelling has a certain importance. The landscape design plays an important role in the evaluation The subject is fixed each year by the choice of project area.

Project 1 and 3 are organised in groups and presented at the course in a Power Point/Pdf- version, but students hand-in individually as posters in A3-format. Some extra time allow an individual reflection on comments and critique. Project two is fully individual. All projects posters are also a personal course documentation. The work is done in mixed groups of Danish and international students