University of Technology Sydney

11140 Landscape Architecture: Representation and Communication

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2020 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Architecture
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject introduces students to representational strategies, forms and techniques for landscape architecture. It emphasises approaches to representation that are responsive both to the characteristics of landscape and the discipline's contemporary pre-occupations. Furthermore, it addresses representation's exploratory, analytical and argumentative roles. As such, representation is conceived both as a means of knowing and imparting knowledge about landscapes and landscape architecture.

For the purposes of this subject, landscape is understood to be dynamic, phenomenally rich, relationally defined, physically extensive and systemic in character. In order to effectively address the subject's conception of landscape, students are instructed in approaches to representation and communication that are responsive to landscape's mutability, distinct formal attributes and experiential qualities, and its spatio-temporal organisation at multiple scales. In addition to addressing such distinct disciplinary concerns, students gain fluency, across analogue and digital platforms, in the use of basic forms, techniques and conventions for effective communication.

The vehicle for exploring this subject’s concerns is a select group of designed landscapes located in Sydney. Structured around a sequence of exercises, the subject challenges students to produce a coherent, legible and evocative set of representations that effectively convey a project's distinct landscape character. This thesis will be exhibited to an audience of fellow students and design professionals at the end of the subject. Through the course of developing this visual argument, students not only develop specific knowledge and skills pertaining to landscape representation and communication but also increase their familiarity with the medium of landscape and its designed articulation.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. effectively execute 2 and 3 dimensional representational strategies, forms, techniques and conventions
2. utilise basic approaches to representation for exploratory purposes
3. communicate knowledge of landscape (architecture) using image and text in a manner that is responsive to the discipline’s contemporary pre-occupations
4. expressively represent landscape (architecture) with appropriate levels of accuracy and rigour
5. select, organise and integrate visual materials as a basis for argumentation

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Demonstrate the highest professional and ethical approaches to landscape stewardship and broadly understand issues of sustainability and apply suitable societal, environmental, and professional values and solutions. (A.2)
  • Work autonomously and as part of a team to produce high quality landscape architectural projects, policies, designs and publications. (C.1)
  • Distil and fluently communicate landscape architectural theory and practice through appropriate and engaging visual, written and verbal means. (C.2)
  • Articulate a position on the role of the landscape architect in the future development of the natural and built environment through the development of a body of competent work across diverse project scales. (I.2)
  • Cultivate a landscape literacy that includes the ability to read or analyse landscapes through appropriate methods including site visits, observation, mapping and analysis. (P.2)
  • Engage in critical self-reflection and create defensible and robust ideas within the disciplines culture of critique. (R.3)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subejct is taught through a combination of lectures, project visits, practical workshops and tutorials.

Content (topics)

  • Landscape architecture representation and communication
  • Landscape architecture precedent

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Constructing knowledge

Intent:

To construct a body of knowledge about a specific landscape architecture project located in Sydney.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2 and 4

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.2, C.2, I.2, P.2 and R.3

Type: Design/drawing/plan/sketch
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%

Assessment task 2: Project thesis

Intent:

To create a thesis describing the landscape architectural character of a landscape project and an effective strategy for its communication.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 3 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

.4, A.2, C.2, I.2, P.2 and R.3

Type: Design/drawing/plan/sketch
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%

Assessment task 3: Communicating knowledge

Intent:

To visually communicate a thesis describing the landscape architectural character of a landscape project located in Sydney.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 3, 4 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.2, C.1, C.2, I.2, P.2 and R.3

Type: Design/drawing/plan/sketch
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 30%

Required texts

Amoroso, Nadia. Digital landscape architecture now. London: Thames & Hudson, 2012.

Dee, Catherine. Form and fabric in landscape architecture: a visual introduction. New York: Spon Press, 2001

Cantrell, Bradley. Contemporary techniques and tools for digital representation in site design. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2010.

Cook, Peter. Drawing: the motive force of architecture. Chester: Wiley, 2014.

Corner, James. Taking measures across the American landscape. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1996.

Foxley, Alice. Distance and engagement. Baden: Lars Muller Publishers, 2010.

Hutchison, Edward. Drawing for landscape architecture: sketch to screen to site. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2011.

Steenbergen, Clemens M. Composing landscapes : analysis, typology and experiments for design. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2008.

Treib, Marc. Represneting landscape architecture. New York: Routledge, 2007.

Tufte, Edward R. Envisioning information. Cheshire, Conneticut: Graphic Press, 1990.