Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

A core activity within the profession of landscape architecture is the design of controlled change to landscapes. Implementation of these designs requires the re-construction of the existing landscape into new forms. Landscape construction can be considered as a continuation of the design process at a finer scale of detail and precision to resolve the processes of implementation. In this context, the ability to define and resolve problems of physical site design and communicate required outcomes to others is essential knowledge and skill for the landscape architect.

Aims

This unit will introduce the conceptual processes required for designing valid construction solutions and seek to:

1. establish an appreciation of landforms and their graphic representation.


2. develop design and communication skills required to manipulate land surfaces with respect to surface water management, soils and geology, planting design and universal access.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. establish an appreciation of landforms and their graphic representation
   
2. develop at an introductory level, design and communication skills required to manipulate land surfaces with respect to surface water management, planting design and universal access
   
3. understand at an introductory level, various sources of regulation within Australia and the relevance of specific legislation
   
4. demonstrate the appropriate application of ethical conduct, collaboration, independent self-management and accountability

Content

Topics to be covered in this unit include:

1. interpreting landscapes through geomorphology and the underlying geology;


2. introduction to landform definitions, contour interpolation and the relevance of land gradients;


3. techniques for the design of new landforms to suit new land uses;


4. field studies examining constructed landscapes;


5. principles of design and construction documentation of earthworks required to alter landforms;


6. applied soil science related to the use of soil for engineering purposes;


7. principles of design and construction documentation of site drainage systems;


8. principles of design and construction documentation of planting works;


9. applied soil science related to the use of soil for horticultural purposes;


10. preparation of planting plans and schedules; and


11. principles of communicating new works in construction documentation.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode: Hours per week: 4
Lecture: 1-2 hours per week
Tutorial: 2-3 hours per week
Field: one 4 hour field trip to a near city site; one 2 hour field trip to a CBD site.
Self directed field trips: 2-4 field surveys of 3 hours each to a CBD site.

Learning Approaches:
Learning approaches will cover the following:
Problem based learning through physical site design problems designed to collectively address Learning Outcomes 1 to 4. Studio based tutorials with small group and individual instruction.

Assessment

Overview of Assessment:
Assessment will be based on two problem based learning assignments and one research assignment. Summative assessment will be based on the three assignments as per the weightings given below.Formative feedback will be given in tutorials based on work in progress for all assignments and in-class assisted assessment of the completed assessment 1.

Assessment name: Project 1 (applied)
Description: Grading development exercise: hypothetical landscape
Relates to objectives: 1 & 4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Early Semester

Assessment name: Report
Description: Universal Access Research
Relates to objectives: 3 & 4
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Project 2 (applied)
Description: Major grading development exercise: real landscape
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4
Weight: 45%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended text:
Thomas, G. (1999). Landscape Construction Notes, RAIA Practice Services, Melbourne.
Williams, G. (1999). Grading: A Workbook of Manual Land Grading Techniques, QUT.

Note: The following references are all based in American practice and, although providing useful background reading, should be used with caution as units of measurement, terminology and materials differ greatly from practice in Australia and other parts of the world.
Nelischer, M (Ed). (1985/88). Handbook of Landscape Architectural Construction, Vols 1 &2, Landscape, Architecture Foundation, USA.
Thompson, J.W. and Sorvig, K. (2000). Sustainable Landscape Construction, Island Press, Washington DC.
Weinberg, S.S. & Roberts, J.M. (Eds). (1988). Handbook of Landscape Architectural Construction, Vol 3, - Irrigation, Landscape Architecture Foundation, USA.
Weinberg, SS. & Gregg, RC. (Eds). (1992). Handbook of Landscape Architectural Construction, Vol 4 - Materials, Landscape Architecture Foundation, USA.
Zimmerman, A (2009) Constructing Landscape: Materials, Techniques, Structural Components, Birkhauser
Petschek , P. (2008) Grading for Landscape Architects and Architects, Birkhauser


Other resource materials will be made available as appropriate through the unit Blackboard site.


Additional Costs
Additional to the costs for the recommended texts you will need to allow for approximately $100 in costs associated with model making and drawing materials.

Risk assessment statement

You will be required to undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit, however, you may be required to undertake lecturer-led and individual site visits to construction sites. Prior to these visits, you are required to attend a construction safety induction session and obtain a safety induction card. This safety induction session introduces you to the relevant workplace health and safety requirements of Queensland construction sites. A safety induction course is provided by the School in the first week of the first semester. If you do not have, or cannot produce a safety induction card, you will not be allowed to undertake the site visits.

The unit will also require you to participate in field trips, in a supervised or self-guided nature. A risk assessment for these trips has identified only low impact risks. You will be provided with any relevant safety guidelines prior to any field trip. You will be required to obey all safety guidelines and directions while attending field trips.

Health & Safety Inductions
Students are required to complete, if haven't already previously completed, the following Inductions / Certificates
1. General Safety Induction
2. J-Block Workshop

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 29-May-2012