Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

This design unit builds on DLB410 Landscape Design 4 and extends the theoretical and applied understanding of site analysis, planning and design processes. Emphasis will be on the rigous testing of design ideas against the contraints of selected built landscapes. The resolution of design propositions will be at the intermediate scale associated with public urban spaces. You will develop and test a philosphical basis for your design explorations and create design 'process portfolios' which disclose a willingness to engage with experimental design processes and self-directed research. The application of appropriate graphic communication in both digital and manual media will be integrated into the program.

Aims

The aims of this unit are to further advance your design skills using appropriate design processes to achieve creative design outcomes related to a specific site.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. demonstrate at an intermediate level, the ability to effectively represent your design outcomes and processes through modelled, written, graphic and oral means (communication).
   
2. demonstrate at an intermediate level, your understanding of design theory and processes (knowledge base).
   
3. demonstrate at an intermediate level, effective critical thinking and analytical processes to interpret problems (critical investigation).
   
4. demonstrate at an intermediate level, creative problem solving to formulate innovative design propositions to specific briefs (creative process and design outcomes).
   
5. demonstrate the appropriate application of ethical conduct, collaboration, independent self-management and accountability.

Content

Topics to be covered in this unit include:

1. Site-specific landscape design theory and principles including -
   a. cultural and environmental sustainability principles,
   b. site-specificity in relation to both micro and macro scales,
   c. understanding, representing and designing for dynamic landscape conditions.
   
2. Speculative design processes including -
   a. exploring a diverse range of site analysis techniques,
   b. the relationship between site analysis and the design process,
   c, methods of testing conceptual ideas against site-specific conditions.

Continued development of graphic and other communication skills will be integrated into every project in this studio. Research and concept development will be integrated into the projects and summarized in the process portfolio.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode:
Intensive Block Delvery: hours per week are equivalent to a standard four hour unit but vary from 4 to 8 hours for weeks 1 to 10.
Lecture: 1 to 2 hours per week
Studio including workshops - 4 to 7 hours per week

Learning Approaches:
Will cover the following:
Problem based learning addressing Learning Outcomes 1-5.
Individual learning through completion of designated components of the design projects.
Reflection, research information and concept development through the process portfolio.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on defined components of the design project. Summative assessment will be based on each defined component of the design project and will include detailed assessed feedback through relevant standards based on criterion referenced evaluation sheets.
Formative Assessment: Design Project 1 and 2, Process Portfolio + assessment of performance against criteria and defined standards.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.Formative feedback will be given in one on one desk crits and studio presentation of work in progress.

Assessment name: Design 1
Description: Conceptual design.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 5
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 4

Assessment name: Design 2
Description: Individual project: site-specific and detailed landscape design.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 4 and 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 11

Assessment name: Process Portfolio
Description: A4 or A3 compendium of reflections, site and user research, tutorial activities. design process material and plant reference sheets.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 8

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

There is no set text for this unit.

Some recommended readings are:

Carter, P, Material Thinking: the theory and practice of creative research, Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Vic, 2004.

Corner, J. (ed), Recovering landscape, Princeton Architectural Press, New York, 1999.

Halprin, L, The RSVP cycles: creative processes in the human environment, G Braziller, New York, c1969.

Kwon, M, One place after another: site-specific art and locational identity, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., c2002.

Leatherbarrow, D, The roots of architectural invention: site, enclosure, materials, University of Cambridge, New York, 1993.

Leatherbarrow, D, Uncommon ground: architecture, technology, and topography, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 2002.

Lynch, Kevin, Hack, Gary(1996), Site Planning, Third Edition. London, The MIT Press

Motloch J.L. (2001) Introduction to Landscape Design. Edition 2 New York, John Wiley and Sons.

Thomas, G.S.,Sim,J. and Poulton, D. (2001) Planting Design: an exploration of emerging theoretical frameworks to support sustainable landscape design, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane


Other resource materials will be made available as appropriate through the unit Blackboard site, through the QUT/GP Library or the QUT GP Bookshop.

Additional Costs
Consumable costs, typical of the preparation and presentation of project work, are to be expected expected and for broad budgeting purposes expect about $150 to $300. Costs of field work within Brisbane will be your responsibility.

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 the components of the unit. The unit may 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 safety guidelines prior to any field trip. You will be required to obey all safety guidelines and directions while attending field trips.

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: 05-Oct-2012