Plants and Technology II
GSD 6219 Plants and Technology II will 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 will explore the processes of construction and landscape technology as they inform the physical production of built landscapes and environmentally responsive design strategies. Three integrated areas will be 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 will also be introduced through illustrated case studies, lectures and workshops with guest presenters and field trips.