2011 Landscape Architecture 535 - USC School of Architecture

University of Southern California School of Architecture
Materials and Methods for Landscape Architecture: LIVING SYSTEMS
Landscape Architecture 535
Materials and Methods for Landscape Architecture: LIVING SYSTEMS
Spring Semester, 2010
Tuesday 9am-11:50am
HAR 102
Instructor
Alexander Robinson
Alexander.robinson@usc.edu
Cell, for field trip coordination only: 617-642-3496
Intent
The intent of this course is to provide students with the tools and knowledge to negotiate and expand
the operative boundaries of the field of landscape architecture. Executing new landscape performances
and managing complex sites requires an active and dynamic knowledge base and expertise – a
foundational approach rather than expertise in a fixed body of knowledge. In this class, contemporary
built landscapes are re-imagined and re-presented as complex living systems, rather than as static,
decorative spaces. The class presumes that knowledge of actual landscape materials and technologies
and natural systems are the key to realizing innovative, higher performance, and more valuable built
landscapes. Field visits and examinations of site are a key aspect of furthering this knowledge. Also, as
there are few resources for advanced landscapes strategies, students are expected to participate in the
collation of expertise, through research of case studies and materials. The class also examines related
issues, including the communication of advanced landscape systems, scales of interventions, and
general philosophies of site reclamation and sustainability. Course time will be divided between topical
lectures and discussion and field observation.
Methods
Lectures
Lectures will provide background materials and develop the major themes of the course. Readings will
correspond with lecture materials. Extensive discussion and exercises will follow.
Field Visits
Field visits will include existing parks, potential parks, construction sites, and specialized landscapes.
Students are expected to make observations and diagram site systems. This assignment is due the
week after the field visit unless otherwise noted. The field trip list will be available and will be subject to
change. Sites may or may not have basic amenities and will require covered shoes and attire appropriate
for outdoor exploration. Students will be expected to provide their own transportation and provide for
basic necessities. A rideshare discussion board has been posted on blackboard for students to find and
give rides to the field visits.
Field Visits Assignment
Some field visits may have custom assignments, but unless otherwise noted, assignments should follow
this format: In general, assignments should focus on an observed or described system from the field trip,
but it could also be a speculative proposal for the site or detailed observation of a simple system or
material process (erosion effects, material failure, etc.). Assignments should demonstrate that the
student has made their own observations and judgements beyond what was presented.
Assignments can be up to two 8.5” x 11” sheets. The primary content of the assignment will be a full
page diagram describing a system or material condition observed or described during the site visit.
Diagram should not just be images and captions, but should be drawn (hand drawn is OK!) or composed
to describe the process or system in a dynamic or instructive way. The second page can be used, if
necessary, for images, text, and other information not included in the diagram. You may compose the
page as you see fit.
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University of Southern California School of Architecture
Materials and Methods for Landscape Architecture: LIVING SYSTEMS
Required content is:
• Annotated Performance / Process Diagram
• Title (Performative name of system or description of material process)
• Short description of the purpose and context of the diagram (make sure it’s clear if you are
representing existing conditions, something speculative or tangentially related to the field trip).
• Field Trip and Tour Guide
• Your Name
• Bibliography if other sources are referenced
• Class # & Class Title & Date
Living Systems Presentation
Because knowledge and technical expertise of advanced construction methods are often distributed
among individuals, firms, and literature, and many of the existing texts are out of date or lacking precise
know-how, it is vital that students learn how to stay abreast of current technical advances by reviewing
contemporary literature and publications. Students must prepare a presentation that answers a question
(that they compose) about a particular landscape architecture technology, method or material, including
case studies (unless otherwise approved by instructor). Presentations will last approximately 15 minutes
and be presented throughout the semester. Students will be asked to provide references and include a
bibliography that must include at least two contemporary sources (within the 2000s) from peer-reviewed
journals or magazines. Students are required to submit their “question” and consult with instructor
in class a week prior to presentation. Presentation must be uploaded in PPT format the day after the
presentation. This research for this presentation will be utilized in your final assignment (see below).
Example Presentation “Questions”:
What is the best ways to avoid or remedy compacted soils
How does LEED mandate sustainable landscape architecture
When is a sub-surface wetland better than a surface wetland
What are the aesthetic and cultural qualities of X technology
What are the critical design constraints for Y technology
What is the design and construction process for Y type of project
What are the best case studies of X technology / Z type of case study and what can learn from them in
terms of their potential or future landscape architecture designs
Answer a question that you think is interesting and try to provide information that is useful for both
inspiring future designs and providing the necessary foundation knowledge for designing it for the
purpose of landscape architecture design (as landscape architects we don’t need to know ALL the nuts
and bolts of a system – primarily just the ones that influence the design composition).
Systems Notebook
Students are asked to find summarize and present landscape systems and materials, either part of all of
a site, similar to those presented in Living Systems. These documents will be compiled in a PDF and
printed notebook to be shared with the class at the conclusion. Additionally, some may be included in
the class website / blog. The Living Systems book is critical for understanding the purpose and focus of
the notebook. In general try to focus on and provide information that is useful for both inspiring future
designs and providing the necessary foundation knowledge for designing it for the purpose of landscape
architecture design (as landscape architects we don’t need to know ALL the nuts and bolts of a system –
primarily just the ones that influence the design composition).
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University of Southern California School of Architecture
Materials and Methods for Landscape Architecture: LIVING SYSTEMS
Systems Notebook: Case Study Systems
The primary research of landscape systems and technologies will be based on case studies. Students
will be required to conceptually isolate and describe a system or performance embedded within a case
study (ideally built). These studies should focus on systems and performances that can inform further
innovation in other projects rather than describing the whole project itself. Please refer to the Living
Systems book to see examples on how to focus attention on understanding the critical factors of a
particular technology in a case study that helps in the understanding and informing of future designs. A
provided formatting page will have specific assignment information.
Systems Notebooks: Material / Technology Products
Another form of research will be of existing and proposed material technologies or systems that are or
could be commercially available. These also should be considered in terms of their performances and
system and would ideally be described within the context of a particular case study. A provided
formatting page will have specific assignment information.
Important Guidelines for Systems Notebook Assignment
1. Assignments will be submitted to USC Blackboard in PDF format AND by bringing a hard copy to
class to turn in and present. Notebook assignments are due the week following the related lecture.
An inDesign file with all of your notebook assignments will be due at the end of the semester.
2. You are required to submit at least a Case Study System or Material / Technology Products in each
category of the Living Systems book (not including the first two material studies). At least four of the
notebook assignments must be Case Study Systems and at least four must be Material / Technology
Products (including the first two from the Landscape Industry Show). Please keep track on the sheet
provided! Submitted case studies and material/technology studies should be in the Living Systems
category of the last lecture, but there is some flexibility in this as long as you understand the
categories well enough and fulfill the requirements of having one in each category. Please see Living
Systems for examples of these.
3. Do not use one of the case studies or material technologies from the Living Systems book! These will
not be accepted.
4. You must find at least one notebook assignment from each of the following sources. Keep track on
the provided sheet to turn in with your last case study). Do not obtain more than one project from a
single website.
a. Peer-reviewed journal
b. Print magazine
c. Product/Technology Website (Website about a particular product)
d. Design Firm website
5. Documents MUST follow prescribed format to be outlined in class. Failure to follow the format and
complete the required information will be penalized. Format will be distributed in inDesign format.
Please layout all notebook assignment in a single inDesign document. I can answer questions about
inDesign and there also a whole set of inDesign video tutorials on numerous subjects on Adobe’s
Website (Google “indesign video tutorials”).
6. Plagiarism will be checked automatically by Blackboard the Professor and may lead to academic
probation or a fail grade. Quotes may be utilized, but should only constitute a minority of your text
and generally never begin your description. A bibliography is required.
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University of Southern California School of Architecture
Materials and Methods for Landscape Architecture: LIVING SYSTEMS
7. You may submit up to four extra notebook assignments before the last day of class for extra credit.
A case study that includes interesting information from an interview with an expert or project
manager associated with the study will be worth double (or count for a single assignment, if done to
improve an assignment already turned in). Interview transcripts (if be email) or notes should be
included.
8. At the end of the class I will make a selection of notebook assignments to be published in an online
publication. During the semester, please compose all of your notebook assignments in a single
inDesign file and be prepared to upload this with all links “embedded” or collected in a folder before
the end of the semester. You may be required to fix formatting issues on projects that will are
included in the class publication.
9. Also, a
Readings & Class Discussion
It is important that students become versed in existing literature on the subject. Prior to class meetings
all students are required to compose at least one question and briefly explain why they are asking this
particular question for each reading “section”. Additionally there will be up to two class discussion
leaders who will be expected to provide (split between leaders) reading summaries and lead class
discussion. Readings, not in the recommended text to purchase, will be provided to students (all
readings for the first week will be provided).
Questions must be posted in the DISCUSSIONS section of blackboard on Monday by 5PM. Late
submissions will be severely penalized. This is to allow the discussion leaders to review the class
materials prior to discussion. Bring printed copies to class. See blackboard under DISCUSSIONS for
more information.
Reading summaries by the discussion leader are due in class and should be posted to the
DISCUSSIONS folder after class.
Final Project
Instead of a final exam the final project will entail re-organizing your final presentation into a board that
summarizes your findings and is a good resource for your subject. Boards will be printed and submitted
in PDF format. A standard titleblock will be provided and these boards will be shared with the rest of the
class. The final project is due Tuesday May 10th at 10AM (at the time scheduled for the final).
Quizzes
You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of the lectures, readings, and site visits. They will
also test your understanding of particular terminology presented in class and of systems described in
class and in field trips.
Office Hours
Wednesdays 10-11AM. Please email me ahead of time to reserve a time. I will not always be there unless
someone makes a reservation.
Grading
Grading is based on the following: Each of two quizzes, 5%; Presentations, 15%; Assignments, 55%;
Final Project 10%; and participation, 10% (Readings and Discussion).
Class Schedule (Subject to Change based on field trip scheduling)
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University of Southern California School of Architecture
Materials and Methods for Landscape Architecture: LIVING SYSTEMS
Date Class of
15
L- Lecture Content
F- Field Visit
1/11 1 L- Culture and Performative
Potential, Recovering
Landscape
Reading
Response Due &
Discussion
Student
Presentation
Posted Assignment
(due in next class, unless
otherwise noted)
2 Material /
Technologies from
Show (due 1/25!)
1/18 2 L- Urban Eco Systems
L- Communication /
Terminology
Posted on
Blackboard under
Discussions
Performance
Mapping
1/25 3 F- #1, Metabolic Studio Site Systems
Observations
2/1 4 L- Digestive Posted on
Blackboard
2/8 5 F- #2, Vista Hermosa Park
Tour
2/15 6 L- Fluid Posted on
Blackboard
2/22 7 F- #3, Echo Park Prop O
Project (@ Echo Park)
3/1 8 L-Stratify Posted on
Blackboard
3/8 9 F- #4, Madrona Marsh (in
Torrance)
Student
Presentations
Student
Presentations
Student
Presentations
1 Notebook
Assignment
Final Assignment
(due May 10th
10AM)
Site Systems
Observations
Quiz #1
1 Notebook
Assignment
Site Systems
Observations
1 Notebook
Assignment
Site Systems
Observations
SPRING BREAK!
3/22 10 L-Launch Posted on
Blackboard
Student
Presentations
Quiz #2
1 Notebook
Assignment
3/29 11 F- #5, Northeast Trees Site Systems
4/5 12 L-Volatile & Translate Posted on
Blackboard
Student
Presentations
Observation
2 Notebook
Assignments
4/12 13 F- #6, LA River / Rio de Los
Angeles
4/19 14 L-Grooming Posted on
Blackboard
Student
Presentations
Site Systems
Observations
1 Notebook
Assignment
Case Study Index
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University of Southern California School of Architecture
Materials and Methods for Landscape Architecture: LIVING SYSTEMS
Date Class of
15
L- Lecture Content
F- Field Visit
Reading
Response Due &
Discussion
Student
Presentation
Posted Assignment
(due in next class, unless
otherwise noted)
4/26 15 F- #7, Civic Center Site Systems
Observations (Due
last day of classes)
Bibliography
Recommended Texts (Reading every other week. Also available on reserve in Library):
Margolis, Liat, and Alexander Robinson. Living Systems: Innovative Materials and Technologies for
Landscape Architecture. Berlin: Birkhauser, 2007.
Thompson, William J. and Sorvig, Kim. Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building
Outdoors, 2nd Edition. Island Press, 2007.
Useful Texts:
(alphabetical by author)
Brady, Nyle C. and Ray R. Weil. Elements of the Nature and Properties of Soils. Upper Saddle River:
Pearson Hall, 2004.
Calkins, Meg. Materials for Sustainable Sites. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2009.
Dunnet, Nigel, and Andy Clayden. Rain Gardens: Managing water sustainability in the garden and
designed landscape. Portland: Timber Press, 2007.
Dunnet, Nigel, and Noël Kingsbury. Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls. Portland: Timber Press, 2008.
Kirkwood, Niall, editor. Manufactured Sites: Rethinking the Post-Industrial Landscape. New York: Spon
Press, 2001.
Lyle, John Tillman. Regenerative Design for Sustainable Development. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1994.
McLeod, Virginia. Detail in Contemporary Landscape Architecture. London: Lawrence King Publishing,
Ltd., 2008.
Reed, Peter, editor. Groundswell. Berlin: Birkhauser, 2005.
Sauter, David. Landscape Construction. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2011.
Spirn, Anne Whiston. The Granite Garden: Urban Nature and Human Design. Basic Books, 1984.
Strom, Steven and Nathan, Kurt. Site Engineering for Landscape Architects, John Wiley & sons, Inc,
1998.
Trowbridge, Peter J., and Nina L. Bassuk. Trees in the Urban Landscape: Site Assessment, Design, and
Installation. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2004.
Werthmann, Christian. Green Roof: A Case Study. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2007.
Yeang, Ken. Ecodesign: A Manual for Ecological Design. London: Wiley-Academy, 2006.
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University of Southern California School of Architecture
Materials and Methods for Landscape Architecture: LIVING SYSTEMS
Useful Website:
LAF: Landscape Performance Series
http://lafoundation.org/research/landscape-performance-series/
Attendance Policy
The School of Architecture’s attendance policy is to allow a student to miss the equivalent of one week
of class sessions (ONE class if the class meets once a week, etc) without directly affecting the student’s
grade and ability to complete the course (this is for excused absences for any confirmed personal
illness/family emergency/religious observance or for any unexcused absences). For each absence over
that allowed number, the student’s letter grade can be lowered up to one full letter grade.
Statement for Students with Disabilities
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with
Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved
accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me (or to TA) as
early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.
Statement on Academic Integrity
USC seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. General principles of academic honesty include
the concept of respect for the intellectual property of others, the expectation that individual work will be
submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the obligations both to protect one’s own
academic work from misuse by others as well as to avoid using another’s work as one’s own. All
students are expected to understand and abide by these principles. Scampus, the Student Guidebook,
contains the Student Conduct Code in Section 11.00, while the recommended sanctions are located in
Appendix A: http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/SCAMPUS/gov/
Students will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards for further
review, should there be any suspicion of academic dishonesty. The Review process can be found at:
http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/SJACS/.
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University of Southern California School of Architecture
Materials and Methods for Landscape Architecture: LIVING SYSTEMS
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