Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Design thesis module for Master of Landscape Architecture.

To develop advanced research and design skills.
To address a well- defined design issue or question through design.
To experiment (art and science).
To showcase student's design positionality – what are the principles that they stand
for and that will guide their future professional lives

Outline Of Syllabus

This is a thesis module. The students will work on a selected theme and area through an individual major research by design project. There is no formal syllabus as such as this is self-directed independent research. Group tutorials, individual supervision and formal reviews will be conducted to support and monitor progress.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will assimilate the learning that they have developed in earlier landscape architecture studios and theory modules. They will integrate knowledge of research skills and methods, conceptualisation and experimentation, action planning, composition and detailing of materials, represetation etc. site survey and in the production of a comprehensive design project for a complex site and exploring and responding to the issues identified in their self-directed research.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students will combine their skills in research, survey, analysis, site design, materiality, planting design, representation etc. in the production of a comprehensive set of drawing which represent the levels of detail and thoroughness required in professional practice. The drawings are accompanied by a design thesis statement that contextualises and theorises the project.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The final project of APL 8006 (a prerequisite module) is used to prepare students for their design thesis. Further refinement of their approach takes place during ARC8120 Design Research Methods. Students are then supported through their Thesis Design by regular tutorials and critical reviews.

The design studio pedagogy is centred on a dialogic and responsive approach to students’ own creative work and research. Landscape Architecture pedagogy is reliant on a high proportion of independent learning to support the design thesis. The MOF hours are consistent with this approach.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students to produce: concept exploration and scenario planning, action plan, planting strategy, detailed area, indicative construction details, representations of proposals and thesis statement.

The second project in APL8010 involves selecting a site, producing a brief and undertaking some initial survey work for a thesis design undertaken over the second semester of Stage 2. ARC8120, taught during Stage 2, Semester 1, allows students the opportunity to deepen their thinking about their sites and projects and the sorts of issues and challenges they embody.

In the Design Thesis module they are required to produce a concept, a site proposal, a plan of a detailed area, indicative construction details, a planting strategy and visualisations (or other forms of representation) of the proposed design (which may include virtual or analogue models). Students also write a written statement of between 2,000-3,000 words exploring the theoretical basis and site response for the proposed design. An interim critical review will occur at a key point in the design process, prior to the final assessment review. Feedback is provided at interim reviews on a formative basis.

General Notes

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