Studio Project - Site, Concept and Artistic Design Methods
The focus of this course is on the design process in landscape architecture. It spans the intricate interplay from concept development, via design theory and artistic methods, to sketch proposals. The course is based on one or several design tasks in different kinds of landscapes. Through these design tasks, specific and general questions on landscape architecture will be discussed, together with the theory of landscape design. Inspiration comes from contemporary, practical and theoretical examples within landscape architecture. The course participants will also be encouraged to seek inspiration from different fields such as architecture, painting, sculpture, music, dance and theatre. Further the participants are encouraged to experimentally develop and appraise different design methods in an independent way.
Find portfolio instructions on: https://www.slu.se/lam-portfolio/
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
LK0450-30246 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
LK0450 Studio Project - Site, Concept and Artistic Design Methods, 15.0 Credits
Studioprojekt - Plats, koncept och konstnärliga gestaltningsmetoderSubjects
Landscape ArchitectureEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 15.0 | 0100 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1F)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 150 credits, which of specific entry requirements: 90 credits in one of the following subjects:• architecture
• landscape architecture
• landscape planning
• built environment
• design
• spatial planning
• geography
• landscape science
• environmental science
• civil engineering.
and an approved portfolio according to specific instructions. See link for portfolio instructions under additional information.
OR 150 credits from a Landscape Architecture programme at SLU or an Erasmus partner university.
and the equivalent of 15 credits in Landscape Architecture on second cycle level
and
English 6 or equivalent.
Objectives
The course aims at exploring artistic design methods and, based on a critical approach, independently apply these through a design project, with an emphasis on design process, concept development, spatial design and artistic forms of expression. The course in particulare aims at strengthen the student in the early design stages.
After completion of the course, the student should be able to:
• reflect on the process of designing landscapes
• deal with complex design situations and find personal solutions to them
comprehend the importance of the concept development in landscape design and method approach in landscape design and how to communicate this
• relate his/her own individual working methods to the design theories and methods applicable to landscape architecture
• analyse and discuss what makes good design in landscape architecture
Content
The focus of this course is on the design process in landscape architecture. It spans the intricate interplay from concept development, via design theory to sketch proposals. The course is based on one or several real design tasks in different kinds of landscapes. Through these design tasks specific and general questions on the design of landscape architecture will be discussed together with the theory of landscape design.
Inspiration comes from contemporary, practical and theoretical examples within landscape architecture. The course participants will also be encouraged to seek inspiration from different fields such as architecture, painting, sculpture, music, dance and theatre.
The course is aimed at international participation and offers possibilities to explore both multilateral and intuitive approaches to the design process. The participants are encouraged to experimentally develop and appraise different individual design methods. Each participant shall present alternative design proposals and critically evaluate their own and other’s proposals, their presentations and argumentations. Importance is given to the presentation - communication - which is carried out verbally and visually through e.g. illustrations and models. The student shall be aware of the creative spark that characterizes "good design".
Attention is paid to the personal development of each student. The participants are to take active part in formulating their own briefs and also in developing the day to day schedule within the set course frame.
Teaching formats:
To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used: lectures, excursions (compulsory), supervision exercises (compulsory), literature seminars (compulsory), criticism/reviews (compulsory), independent studio work and independent writing work.
The course focuses on the following generic competencies: creativity,
independence, teamwork, critical thinking, artistic methods and forms of expression, spatial design, visual and written communication. In addition, digital skills are also included.
Collaboration with the surrounding community takes place through
study visits, gest lectures, masterclass format where students learn directly from artists and practicing landscape architects who demonstrate their methods and working methods, exhibitions, case/assigments in collaboration with artists, sciences and urban and regional planners.
The course gives 15 skills training credits for students in the Landscape Architecture Programme.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Attendance at scheduled learning activities; a pass on submitted examinations and seminar work. Specifications of compulsory attendance and assignments are given at course start. Examiner will evaluate the quality of compulsory assignments submitted and presented by students. Students’ knowledge and their ability to engage each other in critical and analytical discussions will also be assessed in the reviews and in the literature seminars.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
High attendance during the independent studio work is strongly recommended and necessary.There may be additional costs for an optional study tour.
Students admitted to Landscape Architecture – Master´s Progamme 2011-2019 are eligible for the course.
Students admitted to Landscape Architecture – Master´s Programme (LAM) 2020 and following years are eligible for the course if a portfolio is approved.
Find portfolio instructions on: [https://www.slu.se/lam-portfolio/](
Responsible department
Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management
Further information
Litterature list
**Barua, **M. (2023). Lively cities. Reconfiguring urban ecology. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, (selected pages).
Brice, S. (2018). Situating skill: Contemporary observational drawing as a spatial method in geographical research. Cultural Geographies, 25(1), 135-158.
Busse Nielsen, A., Diedrich, L., Harsema, H., Szanto, C. (eds.) (2023). Woods go urban. Three landscape laboratories in Scandinavia. NL: Blauwdruk Publishers, (selected pages).
Dunne, A. & Raby. F. (2013). Speculative everything. Design, fiction and social dreaming. London: The MIT Press (selected pages).
Eames, C. & Eames, R. (1977). Powers of Ten (9 min film).
Escobar, A. (2018). Designs for the pluriverse: Radical interdependence, autonomy, and the making of worlds. Durham and London: Duke University Press (selected pages).
Gandy, M. (2024). Attentive observation: Walking, listening, staying put. Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 114(7), 1386-1404.
Gibson, R. (2015). Changescapes: Complexity, mutability, aesthetics. Perth: UWA Publishing, 195- 206.
**Gora, M. & Bandolin G. **(2014). How much for a tree? Göteborg, Stockholm: Makadam Förlag.
Hoffman, J. (2022). Speculative futures. Design approaches to navigate change, foster resilience, and co-create the cities we need. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books (selected pages).
Ingold, T. (1993). The temporality of the landscape. World Archaeology, 25(2), 152–174.
Lambertini, A. (2022). Soil as a landscape. Nature, crossings and immersions, new topographies. In: Latini L. & Zanon, S. (eds.). Urban soils. Notes for an in-depth landscaping project. Treviso: Fondazione Benetton Studi Ricerche, 35-46.
Latham, A. & Layton, J. (2019). Social infrastructure and the public life of cities: Studying urban sociality and public spaces. Geography Compass, 13(7), 1-15.
Macken, M., Harrisson, F. (2020). In-Place and In-Time. International Journal of Art & Design Education, 39(3), 635-647.
Manzini, E. (2015). When everybody designs. An introduction to design for social innovation. London: The MIT Press (selected pages).
Mehta, V. (2014). The street as ecology. In: Agyeman, J. & Zavetovski, S. (eds.). Incomplete streets: processes, practices and possibilities. Abingdon: Routledge, 94-115.
Raxworthy, J. (2018). Overgrown. Practices between landscape architecture and gardening. Cambridge: MIT Press, (selected pages).
Sachs Olsen, C. (2022). Co-creation beyond humans: The arts of multispecies placemaking. Urban Planning, 7(3), 315-325.