HKU-Landscape-Annual-2013-14

BA(LS)
ARCH2044
Landscape Design
Studio 3
Instructors:
Vincci Mak,
Yin Lun Chan
Landscape Design
Studio 3
This studio aimed to develop students’ ability to research,
analyse, conceptualise and present integrated and meaningful
designs for site-scale landscape projects. With an enlargement
of the scale of a project comes an increased focus on site
planning and the integration of multiple factors which shape
our physical landscapes, including ecology, hydrology, and
climate, with special attention being paid to biophysical
characteristics of the site.
In this studio, students were first given a short exercise in
the study of geomorphology to examine how and why certain
physical landscapes are formed. This aimed to give students an
understanding of how natural processes shape the biophysical
form of our environment.
Then, students undertook a precedent study exercise, in
which examples of built design projects that exemplify an
appreciation for, respect of, and integration with natural
physical landscapes were closely studied as a reference for
students’ own design projects later in the semester.
After the first two preparatory exercises, students were
introduced to the prescribed project site, programs, and
design conditions, and launched into the design exercise phase
of the studio. This phase started with a site analysis exercise
that, first, focused on understanding of the geography, geological
formation, climatic and ecological conditions of the site.
Site and Context
In the subsequent site planning stage, students were asked
to design a site layout according to their findings from the
site analysis exercise. At midterm reviews, they presented a
comprehensive site layout, demonstrating thoughtful grading/
land-forming of the site’s topography, a logical positioning
of building massings that responds to the climatic and
other natural conditions of the site, a sound hierarchy of
programming sequences and flows of circulation.
The final stage of site design zoomed in in scale to further
verify if the site layout made sense at a human-scale level.
The articulations and aesthetics of the space were further
investigated and refined, not only to fit the pragmatic needs of
the programmes/functions, but also to bring a transcendent/
inspiring spatial experience, allowing users to appreciate
the environment through inhabiting the project space.
Also especially emphasised was the question of how, at a
human-scale level, designed spaces might facilitate the site’s
biophysical conditions and aesthetic qualities.
1
Monique
Hiu Yan WONG
2
Olive
Lok Yan WONG
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