LARC 721

A significant part of landscape architectural practice is understanding building methods and materials and communicating information about landscape construction. Construction documents translate artful design ideas into well-crafted realities, conveying the methods and sequence of construction, while clarifying and maintaining the design intentions. Construction drawings — and the written specifications — are instrumental to the successful construction of the intended design. Construction documents represent the agreement between the client and the contractor and, therefore, need to be an unambiguous representation of the design that the client has agreed to.

Through the varied lenses of sustainability, functionality, cost, and site specificity this class examines the use, characteristics, and detailing of materials used in landscape construction. A core theme of the course is how to clearly and beautifully convey design ideas using standard conventions of architectural drawing, both free hand as well as digital.

During the semester, students learn about a variety of materials that are commonly used in landscape construction, study and propose alternative material choices, and develop the appropriate means of construction, based on the physiological and cultural circumstances of the MidAtlantic Region.

Project credits to: Aliya Mejias & Audrey Seiz | Erin Callahan & Stephanie Pully | Matthew Reise & Erin Sandkopp