NIGK15015U Landscape Studio

Volume 2019/2020
Education

MSc Programme in Landscape Architecture

Content

Landscape Studio is an advanced design course where students train individual and collective skills within a group-design process. The ability to formulate design solutions, strategies, planning- and methods of analysis into structures of transformation in time, place, and programme constitutes a core component of the course. This is because landscapes that are studied and planned for embody interpretation of the past, understanding of the present and expectations for the future.

Society is constantly undergoing transformations that impact the landscape profession. Such issues are addressed in the course and this is why themes are different from year to year depending on professional, cultural and social significance.
The field of the issues are space and works in their context meaning urban landscapes that creates the framework for movement and pause, experience, remembrance and recognition. Besides the well known genres such as historical and modern parks and gardens, squares and streets, cemeteries and recreational landscapes, residential areas, institutions and businesses the course focuses on damaged and derelict landscapes like costal-, harbour- and industrial areas that are in transformation towards new use, new aesthetics and new meaning.

Taking a position on the situation of any landscape is part of all projects as is taking a position on the relation between building and landscape. Architectonic craftsmanship is trained through programming and through proposals for transformation of urban landscapes. Therefore priority is to   assemble knowledge of terrain (modelling), knowledge of construction and materials, water circulation and plant growth into coherent landscapes. The ability to think specially, social and artistically, to understand the significance of a work of art is trained throughout the course as well as the ability to evaluate the quality of own- and others works. As a core learning experience the course entails a fieldtrip (mandatory) as a part of the design process. 

 

Learning Outcome
 

The main aims of the course is to provide academic, professional, artistic, and scientific competence in problem solving related to landscape architecture through project work of different scale. Landscape Studio has a special focus on the drawing where the aim of the project work itself is to gain insight into (1) analysing and structuring of complicated landscape related problems into (2) spatial programming and conceptualisation, describing, and reflecting on the biological regulating aspects and social communicating aspects that embody works of landscape architecture and thereby (3) communicate issues of landscape architecture that deal with the relationship between nature and man.

After completing the course, the students should be able to:

 

Knowledge 
• Describe and formulate solutions, strategies, relevant planning- and methods of analysis into spatial programmes for change in landscape related use. 
• Describe models and drawings, applied theories and concepts related to transformation through drawings, illustrations, diagrams, text, and models. 

Skills
• Apply scientific, technological, and ethical skills relating to problem solving. 

Competences: 
• Communicate and present a critical and reflective view on problems and solutions of own- and others work of landscape architecture.

Literature

Please see Absalon course page.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
The students will train individual and collective skills in a group-design process. The teaching methods applied include scientific and artistic methods as well as techniques for sketching and presentation. Special emphasis is put on sketching by modelling, vertical projection and stop-motion-media, reference studies, analyzing by modelling, design conversations and texts. The theory of education is that the learning is best done in independent group work and through dialog with tutors and fellow students in an exhibition like work space in the studio, through presentations where fellow students and tutors comment and give constructive criticism. In addition there are lectures and introductions by guests and supervisors. Throughout the theme course meetings for planning and evaluation are scheduled ideally once a week.

Students are expected to be present and to participate in course activities during studio hours. Students are expected to meet the handin's during the course, participate in presentations and critiques, the field trip, written assignment (project report) and posters for the examination.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Excursions
  • 80
  • Lectures
  • 40
  • Preparation
  • 192
  • Project work
  • 100
  • Total
  • 412
Oral
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)

Central for the Landscape Studio Method is the practice of a specialized Design Conversation. This also means that collective feedback and peerfeedback in groups is repeated throughout the course in intervals corresponding to the design progress.

Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, during course
Oral examination, 20 minutes
The examination concists of an oral examination and will address issues relating to the theme project. The project accounts for 80 % of final the grade and the oral exam for 20 %. Deadline for handing in the project is the week before the exam week.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Re-exam

A written and produced assignment (project report) related to the course design project handed in prior to an oral exam, 20 minuttes. The project accounts for 80 % of final the grade and the oral exam for 20 %. Deadline for handing in the project is the week before the re-exam week.

Criteria for exam assesment

Please refer to learning outcome.