Landscape Technology

This course covers the theories, processes and tools of landscape technology as they inform the physical production of designed landscapes. The course examines the materials and tectonic language of site construction as a means of not only developing a design proposal, but as a potential source of design ideas and individual creative expression in landscape architecture.The course is organized into two parts, the first introduces the fundamental issues, approaches and studio tools of earth and site manipulation, the second considers the applications, craft and workmanship on site related to detail construction.Class exercises further an understanding of landscape technology, design development, and landscape construction through literature and field research, the drawn resolution of technical site problems, and the exploration, craft, and documentation of detail design. Texts and sources of literature will be introduced to situate the role of landscape technology within the larger framework of the history, theories, and practice of landscape architecture and site design. The execution of built landscape projects within industry procedures and practices are introduced through illustrated case studies and field trips. The class will visit landscape projects in Boston and Cambridge. The course materials and timing of lectures and assignments in GSD 6206 are integrated with the content of GSD 1212 Landscape Core Studio (spring semester).