College of Architecture & Urban Studies

School of Architecture + Design: Landscape Architecture

Overview

Landscape Architecture encompasses the design, analysis, planning, management, and stewardship of sustainable environments.  Landscape architects design across a wide spectrum of project scales: garden, community, urban, metropolitan, and regional, as well as at the scale of watersheds and natural systems. The work of the profession is grounded in the natural and social sciences, draws inspiration from nature and the arts, and is implemented through innovative site engineering, construction, land management, and environmental technologies. We believe the work of the profession, at the critical intersection of natural and cultural systems, will be the most consequential of the design arts in the 21st century.

The core of the academic program is a rigorous sequence of design studios that allow students to explore a broad range of landscape architectural issues, contexts, and project types. Studios are accompanied by discussion, lecture, and laboratory courses that provide systematic and comprehensive coverage of the emerging body of knowledge related to technology, design theory, landscape ecology, and human/environment interaction. Off-campus options include a Europe summer travel studio, study at the Washington Alexandria Architecture Center, Tongji University in Shanghai, or University College, Dublin, Ireland, an independent semester abroad and professional internships.

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.) is a five year first-professional degree program fully accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Graduates have a wide range of employment and professional opportunities including work in private practice, multidisciplinary firms, public agencies and municipalities, non-government organizations and non-profits.

Program Requirements

Degree Requirements:

The graduation requirements in effect at the time of graduation apply. When choosing the degree requirements information, always choose the year of your expected date of graduation. Requirements for graduation are referred to via university publications as “Checksheets”. The number of credit hours required for degree completion varies among curricula. Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements and university obligations for degree completion.

The university reserves the right to modify requirements in a degree program. However, the university will not alter degree requirements less than two years from the expected graduation year unless there is a transition plan for students already in the degree program.

Please visit the University Registrar website at http://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation/checksheets/index.html for degree requirements.

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 lab/studios and technology courses.

Graduation Requirements

Upon successful completion of program requirements and with completion of 153 credit hours of study, a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree is awarded.

Undergraduate Courses (LAR)

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.

1254: ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL SYSTEMS
Introduction to the environment and natural systems with emphasis on their relationship to planning and design. Topics include natural elements, structures, patterns, natural systems, ecology, landscape ecology, and sustainability. Application of relevant theories and methods related to the environment and natural systems in planning and design. (3H,3C)

1264: SEEING, UNDERSTANDING, REPRESENTING LANDSCAPE
This course explores and compares the potentials and limitations of various approaches to, and techniques for seeing, understanding and representing salient characteristics of landscapes. Directed to landscape architecture majors and interested individuals in related disciplines. (3H,3C)

2015-2016: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO: PLACE AND PROCESS
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. I (1H,11L,6C)

2164: LANDFORM FUNCTION & AESTHETICS
Design principles and technology related to the creation of landforms for functional, aesthetic and environmentally sustainable purposes related to landscape design and construction process. Pre-requisite: LAR 1264 or consent of instructor Pre: 1264. (2H,4L,4C)

2254: SOCIAL AND CULTURAL LANDSCAPES
Introduction to experiential and cultural content of designed landscapes. Physiological, functional, and psychological factors that affect experience of the landscape. Study of cultural values, attitudes, and philosophies that have shaped historic and contemporary landscapes. (3H,3C)

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.

3015-3016: INTERMEDIATE LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
Development of intermediate site planning and design knowledge skills. 3015 focuses on site/project scale planning and design with emphasis on greenfield development sites and models of conversation oriented design/development. Pre: 2016 for 3015; 3015 for 3016. (1H,11L,6C)

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.

3154: WATERSHED SENSITIVE SITE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Examines soil and water resource issues related to landscape architectural site planning and design. Key topics include watershed sensitive site design, estimation and management of storm water runoff, rainwater conservation, design of open channel conveyances for site planning applications, and erosion and sedimentation control. Pre-requisite: LAR 2164 or consent of instructor Pre: 2164. (2H,4L,4C)

3164: MATERIALS STRUCTURES DETAILS
Landscape construction theories and practices involving the selection of materials, design and placement of structures in the landscape and details critical to the creation of space and form. Addresses health, safety and welfare; sustainable materials and construction processes; and environmental performance. Pre-requisite: LAR 3154 or consent of instructor Pre: 3154. (3H,3L,4C)

3264: PEOPLE, COMMUNITY AND PLACE
An advanced course focusing on landscape/behavior interactions and implications for the design of outdoor environments. Study of factors that affect social interaction in community and public spaces; perceptions and needs particular to various sub-populations; ecological, social, and cultural approaches to theories of place and place attachment. Pre-requisite: LAR 2254 or instructor's permission Pre: 2254. (3H,3C)

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. I (3H,3C)

3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.

3984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4004: HISTORY AND THEORY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 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. I Pre: 2004. (3H,3C)

4014: LANDSCAPE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
Links landscape architectural design and construction documents through integrating site design from schematic design through design development to construction documentation drawings and technical specifications. Landscape design and technology covered in preceding design and technology courses is combined with construction principles and practices in preparation of site design and set of construction documents. Pre-requisites may be waived with permission of instructor. Pre: 3016, 3164. (1H,11L,6C)

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)

4254: LANDSCAPE ARCH THEORIES
Critical examination of theories relevant to landscape architectural design and the inter-relationship between theory and practice. Evolution of theory with respect to built works. Overview of concurrent design theories and philosophies in the related arts. Pre-requisite: Senior standing or instructor's permission. (3H,3C)

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. May be repeated with different content for a maximum of 12 credits. 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: 4244. (2H,4L,4C) II.

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. (1H,8L,5C) I,II.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

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