LA 3180 - Site Assembly

(CU-SBY)

Spring. 5 credits. Letter grades only.

Permission of instructor required. Co-meets with LA 6180.

Z. Hong.

This course intends to establish a solid base of technical knowledge about the physical and performative characteristics of traditional building materials and emerging alternatives realted to landscape architecture. In addition, the course encourages students to become astute observers and skilled recorders at the detail to landscape scales, while obtaining a greater materials sensibility to the design and construction processes that eventually translate into built landscapes. This includes the investigation of phenomenal elements and natural processes that take part in the integral relationships established between site assemblies and design intent or material expression. During the course of the semester students will be asked to challenge definitions of material convention, invention, and intervention; through lectures, workshops, discussions, and field trips. Students will examine materials and methods of landscape construction; frameworks for material selection and application; and representations for detail prototyping and construction documentation.

Outcome 1: Students will advance research and design methodologies related to material systems and technologies for the built environment.

Outcome 2: Students will recognize social, economic, and environmental climates of material systems and technologies in landscape architecture; and understand the design opportunities and challenges afforded from past, current, future applications.

Outcome 3: Students will sharpen observational and technical knowledge of material systems and technologies; and understand the fundamental relationship of siting design and materials with the climatic conditions that might impact their performance.

Outcome 4: Students will cultivate a sustainable, ethical, and environmentally sensitive design practice and ethos.