Landscape Architecture
Program Chair: Brian Katen
Professors: P. Miller
Associate Professors: D. Bork, T. Clements, W. Jacobson, B. Katen, P. Kelsch, L. McSherry, and M. Kim
Assistant Professor: C. L. Bohannon and N. Heavers
Adjunct Professors: S. Couchman, M. Ezban, D. Hays, D. Hill, B. Johnson, R. May, and D. McGill
Professor Emeritus: B. Johnson
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.
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
University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the General Education (Curriculum for Liberal Education) (see "Academics") and toward the degree in Urban Affairs and Planning.
Satisfactory progress requirements toward the degree can be found on the major checksheet by visiting the University Registrar website at http://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation/checksheets/index.html.
Undergraduate Course Descriptions (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)
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.
(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 (FREC 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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.