Plants and Technology I
GSD 6218M1, Lecture, Fall

This course is devoted to understanding basic biological principals and horticultural practices that affect the growth of plants in the human landscape and determine the success or failure of landscape designs. We cover the identification of the basic palate of woody plants available in the Northeast, and their appropriate landscape use.

Plants and Technology II
GSD-6219, Lecture, with Gary Hilderbrand, Spring

This course address the interdependence between plants, technology and design in landscape architecture. The purpose of this course is to develop a broader understanding of traditional and emerging technologies and applied ecology in landscape architecture and how this can result in more progressive and creative design work. In addition the course material is intended to cultivate in class members a more critical interest in technology in landscape architecture both as a design medium as well as a future research topic at the GSD. Through a sequence of lectures, workshops, assignments and field visits the class explores the processes of construction and landscape technology as they inform the physical production of built landscapes and environmentally responsive design strategies. Three integrated areas are covered; the engineering of built landscapes particularly constructed elements, soils and plants, detail implementation approaches and materials used in design practice for constructing small and medium-scale landscape projects and an introduction to the range and types of remediation technologies to address polluted soils and groundwater.

Each class meeting is organized into two parts, the first introduces through lecture presentations the fundamental concepts and approaches needed for design studio activities for each student, the second part through workshops and assignments builds the tool and techniques including landscape materials and detail assemblies and their applications and operations on site. There will however be a focus in this class on the means required to address contemporary sites and "legacy landscapes", particularly where the repair and reclamation from past industrial uses or excessive degradation require a mixture of conventional and innovative landscape technologies.

The execution of landscape projects within the procedures and practices of the construction industry is also introduced through illustrated case studies, lectures and workshops with guest presenters and field trips.

Ecological Strategies for Disturbed Sites
GSD 6442, Seminar, Spring 2008, Fall 2008

This applied lecture and workshop course focuses on the reuse and reconstruction of derelict and minimally managed urban landscapes. Emphasis will be placed on strategies for establishing sustainable plant communities on such public sites and encouraging their productive reuse by humans.

The course examines the challenges and opportunities of post-industrial land as well as the regulatory, public health, and technological aspects involved in the remediation of polluted sites. Seminar presentations and class discussions with the instructor and invited guest lecturers will focus on the interdependence between science, technology and design in addressing the issue of degraded landscapes.

The lecture/discussion portion of the course is supported by field trips to disturbed landscapes in the surrounding Greater Boston Area, including: the capped landfill on Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor, a remediated brownfield site on the campus of Wellesley College, and a wetlands area within the Charles River watershed. Local experts and/or officials accompany the class on these trips.

The seminar is intended to act as a broad introduction and overview to the subject of the adaptive reuse of post-industrial landscapes. It also acts as a bridge for students between earlier basic core courses in planning, design and environmental studies and more advanced individual research topics, including independent study, thesis preparation and option design studios.

PREREQUISITES:

Enrollment is open to all students of graduate standing. A similar class taught by the instructor last year included landscape architects, architects, urban planners, urban designers, environmental scientists, and public policy majors. Enrollment came from students from the Harvard Design School, MIT, and students undertaking advanced programs such as MDes, DDes and the Loeb Fellowship Program. The instructor welcomes interest from students with a wide range of academic and/or professional backgrounds.

Grades are based on an oral presentation and research paper covering a case study of the student's choosing.

Plants in Design II
GSD 6215-M4, Lecture/Workshop, Spring

This course is devoted to understanding basic biological principals and horticultural practices that affect the growth of plants in the human landscape and determines the success or failure of landscape designs. The course covers the identification of the basic palate of woody plants commonly used the Northeast, and their appropriate landscape application.

Pedagogic Goals:

• Achieve a basic understanding of the biological issues affecting the growth of plants.
  
• Learn the identity and appropriate use of woody plants commonly available in the landscape industry in the Northeast.
  
• Develop an ability to analyze the complex interaction of factors that determine why some landscape plantings succeed while others fail.
  
• Develop an appreciation of the importance of incorporating issues relating to maintenance into a landscape design.
  
• Learn how to generate planting lists that are appropriate to the physical conditions that prevail on a particular landscape site.

Soil in Landscape Design
GSD 6308, Lecture/Workshop, Spring

This elective course covers the characteristics of soils in natural as well as built environments, giving as much emphasis to the biological aspects of soil formation as to its chemical and physical composition. Lectures cover a range of topics including soil formation, structure and development, drainage issues associated with construction, plant nutrition, and planting strategies and techniques. In the course of two field trips, the class visits various sites in the Boston area where soils have been manufactured or modified to fit specific landscape situations. Students gain experience in the processes of taking soil samples, interpreting soil test results, amending soils, writing soil specifications, and developing appropriate plant lists. Finally, the class examines the latest design applications and technical specifications for landscape soils in a variety of contemporary design situations, including roof gardens. The course is seen as an extension of GSD core courses in earthworks, plants, and site technology. It is intended for landscape architects, urban designers and architects but welcomes environmental studies, engineering and design students from Harvard College and MIT.

Rebuilding Devastated Landscapes: Sustainable Landscape Development in the 21st Century
GSD 6442, Seminar, Fall

This applied lecture and workshop course focuses on the repair and reconstruction of derelict urban and suburban land within the realities of current conditions, regulations, and design practices. Emphasis is placed on ecological principles and strategies for establishing and maintaining sustainable plant communities on devastated landscapes. The course also examines the challenges and opportunities of post-industrial land, as well as on the regulatory, public health, and technological aspects of the remediation process. Seminar presentations and class discussions with the instructor and invited guests focusing on the interdependence between science, technology and design in addressing the issue of degraded landscapes. The lecture/discussion portion of the course is supported by field trips to disturbed landscapes in the surrounding Greater Boston Area, including: the capped landfill on Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor, a remediated superfund site on the campus of Wellesley College, and the former Boston State Hospital site in Mattapan (Boston). Local experts and/or officials accompany the class on these trips. The seminar is intended to act as a broad introduction and overview to the subject of the adaptive reuse of post-industrial landscapes. It alsos act as a bridge for students between earlier basic core courses in planning, design and environmental studies and more advanced individual research topics, including independent study, thesis preparation and option design studios.

PREREQUISITES:
Enrollment is open to all students in graduate standing as well as undergraduates from Harvard College. A similar class taught by the instructor last year included landscape architects, architects, urban planners, urban designers, environmental scientists, and public policy majors. Enrollment came from students from the Harvard Design School, MIT, Harvard College, and students undertaking advanced programs such as MDes, DDes and the Loeb Fellowship Program. The instructor welcomes interest in this seminar from students with a wide range of academic and/or professional backgrounds. There is an enrollment limit of 25 for this class.