Landscape Architecture
www.lar.arch.vt.edu/
Dean R. Bork, Head
Professors: B.C. Johnson: P.A. Miller
Associate Professors: D.R. Bork; T.L. Clements; W. Jacobson; R. Kagawa; B. Katen
Assistant Professor: M. Bryant
Adjunct Professors: G. Buhyoff; A. Buikema; B. Hull
Overview
- The overarching goal of the profession of landscape architecture is to achieve harmonious relationships between the needs of people and the environment. The practice of landscape architecture is broad: ranging in scope from design of public open spaces such as gardens, plazas and parks; to site planning of neighborhoods, multiuse developments and communities; to managing land and land-based resources at a regional scale.
- The field of landscape architecture is grounded in the natural and social sciences, draws its inspiration from nature and the arts, and is implemented through site engineering, construction, and land management technologies. The curriculum is designed to encourage new and imaginative solutions to problems involving these elements and their interrelationships. Students entering the field should have an inquiring mind, a creative bent, and be willing to learn by doing.
- The core of the academic program is a rigorous set of design studios that allow students to explore a broad range of landscape architectural issues and project types. Studios are accompanied by a series of lecture, laboratory, discussion, and reading courses that provide systematic and comprehensive coverage of technical information related to landscape architecture, as well as the emerging body of knowledge related to design theory, landscape ecology, and human/environment interaction.
- The program in landscape architecture (B.L.A.) is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
| Program Requirements |
H
|
(C)
|
| The University Core: |
|
(36)
|
| Area 1: Engl 1105, 1106, Freshman English |
6
|
Area 2: Ideas, Cultural Traditions & Values
LAR 4034 Evolution of American Landscape |
6
|
| Area 3: Society and Human Behavior |
6
|
| Area 4: Scientific Reasoning and Discovery |
8
|
Area 5: Math 1015, 1016: Elem. Calculus with Trig
or Math 1535, 1536: Geometry and Math of Design |
6
|
| Area 6: Creativity and Aesthetic Experience |
1
|
| Area 7: Critical Issues in a Global Context |
3
|
|
| The Program Core: |
|
(87-97)
|
| ARCH 1015, 1016: Foundation Design Laboratory |
12
|
| LAR 1004: Natural and Human Systems in Landscape Architecture I |
3
|
| LAR 1144: Introduction to Landscape Architecture |
1
|
| LAR 2004: History and Theory of Landscape Arch. I |
3
|
| LAR 2015, 2016: Basic Landscape Architecture Design |
12
|
| LAR 2035: Landscape Arch. Technology I - Grading |
4
|
| LAR 2036: Landscape Arch. Technology I - Materials |
4
|
| LAR 3004: Natural and Human Systems in Landscape Architecture II |
3
|
| LAR 3015, 3016: Intermediate Landscape Design |
12
|
| LAR 3044: Land Analysis and Site Planning |
3
|
| LAR 4004: History and Theory of Landscape Arch. II |
3
|
| LAR 4084: Advanced Land Planning and Design |
6-12
|
| LAR 4094: Senior Project |
8-12
|
| LAR 4124: Professional Practice |
3
|
| LAR 4244: Landscape Architecture Technology II - Hydrology |
4
|
| LAR 4304: Topics in Landscape Architecture |
3
|
| LAR 4324: Landscape Architecture Technology III - Construct Docs. |
4
|
|
| Additional Requirements: |
|
(37)
|
| Earth Science Cluster |
3
|
| Plant Science Cluster |
6
|
| Free Electives |
18-22
|
|
Total Credits
|
(157)
|
Satisfactory Progress
- All students must achieve a minimum 2.00 GPA by the end of the semester in which the 50th credit hour has been attempted. All students must achieve a C- or higher grade in all required landscape architecture design labs and technology courses.
Graduation Requirements
- Upon successful completion of program requirements and with completion of 157 credit hours of study, a bachelor of landscape architecture degree is awarded.
Undergraduate Courses (LAR)
1004: NATURAL AND HUMAN SYSTEMS IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE I
An introduction to natural and human structures, patterns
and systems in landscapes with emphasis on their
relationship to planning and design.
(3H,3C)
1144: INTRODUCTION TO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Overview of the profession of landscape architecture.
Emphasis on the relation of people to the natural and built
environment with particular attention to scale, forms, and
space.
(1H,1C)
I,II.
2004: HISTORY AND THEORY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE I
A critical examination of the history and theory relevant to
landscape architectural design and built form. Historical
precedent with respect to concepts of "form-generation"
will be stressed. The course includes an overview of
the relationships of landscape architectural history, and
design theories and philosophies.
(3H,3C)
2015-2016: BASIC LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Basic theory, principles, and methods of landscape design
and site planning. 2015: Design theory involving two and
three dimensional compositions. Mass/space relationships,
principles of spatial design and techniques used to create
landscape space. 2016: Design theory relating to landscape
design and site planning. Design of small scale spaces in
which the analysis of site, context and the requirements of
human use are brought together in a creative synthesis.
(1H,11L,6C)
2015: I;2016: II.
2035-2036: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNOLOGY I: GRADING AND MATERIALS
2035: Provides an introduction to landscape construction processes, focusing on principles and techniques of landform manipulation for design and drainage purposes. Enrollment limited to Landscape Architecture majors. (2H, 4L, 4C)
2036: Develops concepts, methods and techniques for understanding construction materials and assembly techniques related to Landscape Architecture construction. Methods, concepts, and principles for documenting detailed construction information are also covered, including conventional and digital communication technologies. (3H, 3L, 4C) 2035: (2H,4L,4C) 2036: (3H,3L,4C) 2554 (FOR 2554): NATURE AND AMERICAN VALUES
Introduces students to the evolving relationship between
nature and American society; emphasizing the ethics and
values which underlie forest, park, and wildlife management.
Students are introduced to contemporary land use issues and
learn to articulate, defend, and critique the ethical
positions surrounding these issues (i.e., wilderness,
sustainability, biodiversity, hunting, old growth, suburban
sprawl, environmental activism.
(3H,3C)
I,II.
2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
3004: NATURAL AND HUMAN SYSTEMS IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE II
An advanced course examining structures, patterns and
systems in landscapes with emphasis on their relationship
to landscape architecture planning and design. Application
of theories and methods related to human, social,
geophysical and biological systems in planning and design.
(3H,3C)
3015-3016: INTERMEDIATE LANDSCAPE DESIGN
This course deals with the development of site planning and design skills. 3015 focuses on understanding the influence of natural and cultural factors in design, site analysis, design programming, concept development and design development with particular attention given to developing a "sense of place." 3016 deals with the influence of contextual issues, such as land use, infrastructure, and the vernacular landscape, in site planning and community design. Pre: 2016. (1H,11L,6C) 3015: I;3016: II.3034: SOCIAL ANALYSIS FOR OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
3044: LAND ANALYSIS AND SITE PLANNING
Introduction to the concepts and methods of ecological
resource survey and analysis at regional and site scales.
Approaches to environmental problem solving with an
emphasis on data collection, evaluation, and synthesis
using applicable technologies such as geographic
information systems. Interpretation of landscape
resource data for the purpose of physical planning
and design.
Pre: 1004.
(2H,2L,3C)
II.
3524 (HORT 3524): HISTORY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
A study of the design-form and structure of landscape
architectural works from the Bronze Age to the present,
including the influence of physical, climatological, and
social context, and of the individual designers.
Junior standing required.
(3H,3C)
I.
3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.
3984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4004: HIST & THEORY LA II
This course studies theoretical and practical developments
in landscape architecture and related arts through
investigation and analysis of design theory and philosophy,
and built form. Pre: 2004 or permission of instructor.
(3H,3C)
I.
4034: EVOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE
An examination of physical change in the rural and urban
landscape of America as reflected by changes in needs
during the country's history. Some of the factors
influencing the character, form, and use of American space
that will be studied are economic growth, changing
philosophies on conservation and exploitation of natural
resources and the resulting legislation, technological
advancement, and social reform.
(3H,3C)
II.
4084: LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND PLANNING STUDIO
This course is an advanced studio that enables students to
address landscape architectural design and planning issues
in various contexts and at a range of scales. Pre: 3016 or
permission of instructor. Landscape
Architecture majors must take minimum of 6 credits. May be
repeated to a maximum of 12 credit hours.
Pre: 3016.
(1H,11L,6C)
I,II.
4094: SENIOR PROJECT
A capstone of a five-year design studio sequence, the senior
project is a comprehensive landscape architecture design
project selected and completed by the student under the
direction of a faculty advisor. Senior projects are
reviewed and evaluated by the program faculty.
Repeatable with a maximum of 12 credits.
Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.
I,II.
4124 (ARCH 4044): PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Introduction to scope and diversity of the building
enterprise, addressing private and public macroeconomic,
industrial, technical, professional, and regulatory
institutions. Analysis of historic evaluation of
professional roles and practices; emergence of new modes of
practice, including innovative facilities procurement
methods.
(3H,3C)
4144: LANDSCAPE PERCEPTION AND ASSESSMENT
An introduction to the concepts and theories related to
perception of the landscape. An historical overview of the
development of visual resource management and landscape
assessment. A comprehensive coverage of visual resource
management theories and techniques. A survey of the visual
impacts and visual management practices related to different
land uses and different types of natural resource
management.
(2H,2L,3C)
II.
4234: THEORY AND PRACTICE OF URBAN DESIGN
This course examines historic and contemporary trends in
urban design theory and practice; methods of analyzing urban
form; social, cultural, and environmental dimensions of
urban design.
(3H,3C)
II.
4244: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNOLOGY II: HYDROLOGY
Landscape architecture hydrology examines water resource
issues as they relate to landscape planning, site planning
and site design. Key topics include estimation of
storm water runoff, storm water management, watershed
planning/flood routing and impact mitigation, design of
open channel conveyances, and erosion and
sedimentation control. Pre: LAR 2035 and 2036
or consent of instructor.
Pre: 2035, 2036.
(2H,4L,4C)
I.
4304: TOPICS IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Topics in landscape architecture history, theory and design
methods is an advanced course focusing upon issues facing
the professional practice of landscape architecture today.
Special emphasis on methods of analysis and interpretation
including application of creative techniques, analogous
thinking, computer-aided procedures and information handling
in landscape architecture design and practice.
Pre: 3015 and 3016 or permission of instructor.
Pre: (3015, 3016).
(3H,3C)
4324: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNOLOGY III-CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
This course provides the link between landscape
architectural design and construction documentation.
Landscape technology covered in preceding technology courses
is combined with information on construction principles and
practices in the preparation of landscape architectural
construction drawings and technical specifications.
Pre: 4224.
(2H,4L,4C)
II.
4444: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
An examination of the issues, policies and methods related
to environmental impact assessment (EIA) as required by the
National environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. Topics
studied include NEPA requirements, historic evolution of
legislation and regulations, and methods used to assess
ecological, visual, social, and economic impacts.
(3H,3C)
4705-4706: LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND PLANNING
Theories, methods, techniques, and tools relating to the planning and design of sites, communities, and regional landscapes. 4705: Emphasis on the development of design ability through the study of: two- and three-dimensional design, principles and elements of spatial composition, and theories and techniques for planning and design of small sites. 4706: Emphasis on the evaluation of land resources and the allocation of land uses within large complex sites and regional landscapes. Theories and techniques of site planning and community design are explored. 4705: (1H,8L,5C) 4706: (1H,8L,56C) I,II.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.
TOP
|