LARCH 7029 - Advanced Landscape Architecture Technologies (M)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course develops knowledge foundations in landscape architecture technologies as they relate to documenting and implementing contemporary landscape architecture projects. The course covers the design and documentation of earthworks, hardscape works, landscape structures, and landscape infrastructure. The course will develop skills such as design modelling, design detailing, contour manipulation and documentation relevant to contemporary landscape architecture. Landscape materials and elements such as vehicular and pedestrian circulation systems, retaining walls, deck framing, drainage and irrigation, soils and substrates, water features and systems, lighting and other technologies are introduced along with a range of emerging technologies relating to green infrastructure and constructed ecologies.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code LARCH 7029
    Course Advanced Landscape Architecture Technologies (M)
    Coordinating Unit Architecture and Landscape Architecture
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge DESST 1507 and DESST 2518
    Assessment Essays, written assignments, illustrated verbal presentations, preparation of variety of other graphic, visual and physical model-based materials
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Richard Le Messurier


    Dr Richard Joseph Le Messurier
    richard.lemessurier@adelaide.edu.au 

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Course Detail
    This course considers topics in landscape design and construction as they relate to contemporary landscape architecture. The course explores topics including geology and soil technology, hydrology, civil works, topography and grading, hardscape, infrastructure, innovative and emerging technologies, material science and landscape detailing. The study of landform manipulation including the design of infrastructure, includes holistic site design, contour manipulation, retaining systems, vehicular and pedestrian circulation systems, access ways and drainage. Hydrology, the study of water in the landscape, including water flow, stormwater management, swales, retention and detention basins, riparian plantings, and wetlands restorations may be considered. Landscape architecture design and documentation techniques are explored, coupled with the study of legislative requirements for built works and their application throughout this process.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The Course is focused on key landscape related technologies and how they can be implemented giving consideration to codes, standards, guidelines and current best practice methods, material choice and fixing, and professional standards of documentation.

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Demonstrate critical design skills using contemporary expression and approaches
    2. Apply technical knowledge using required computer drafting conventions associated with landscape construction
    3. Articulate their position as a designer of constructed landscapes
    4. Demonstrate high-quality communication and representation skills including written, verbal and graphic presentation skills
    5. Develop detailing skills including applying research on availability of materials and their application within the context of the contemporary practising professional
    6. Develop an understanding of the construction process from paper to site




    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,3,5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1,5,6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1,3,4,6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1,2,3,5,6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1,3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Scale Ruler/s
    Calculator

    Pens and pencils as appropriate to design drafting
    Access to 2D ACAD drafting software as a minimum
    Recommended Resources
    Metric Handbook: Planning and Design Data, David Adler BSc DIC CEng MICE
    Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture: Design and Construction Data
    Landscaping Detailing: Series (Structures, Enclosures, Surfaces, Water) by Michael Littlewood
    Materials for Architects and Builders by Arthur Lyons
    Lysaght Referee, A handbook full of useful information
    Detail in Contemporary Landscape Architecture, Virginia Mcleod
    www.concrete.net.au
    http://www.outdoorstructures.com.au/
    http://www.timber.net.au/index.php/resources.html
    www.woodsolutions.com.au

    Online Learning
    https://www.myuni.adelaide.edu.au/

    University Email:
    The school uses the University email system to get in touch with the students. So it is imperative that you check your email regularly and keep up to date with any new announcements.

    Noticeboard / Handbook:
    General information about the activities at the School is available online from the Student Noticeboard which can be accessed at https://unified.adelaide.edu.au/group/professons-student-architecture/current-student. Students can also access a copy of the Student Handbook at the following link:https://architecture.adelaide.edu.au/docs/2017finalstudenthandbook.pdf

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This Course is taught in Seminar Style. 

    Students are required to attend all lectures and participate in tutorials, and are expected to further their own learning during non-contact hours on topics discussed in class. Attendance and participation in studio activities will enhance learning outcomes.

    Activities will include:
    Lectures, workshops involving completion of specific tasks building skills toward development of assignments, quizzes consolidating lecture information, site visits, field trips.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The University expects full-time students (ie. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote at least 48 hours per week to their studies. Accordingly, students undertaking this 3 unit course are expected to devote 12 hours per weekto contact activities and self-guided studies.

    Based on this framework here are some figures that might assist workload management:

    Total workload hours: 12Hrs per week x 13 weeks = 156 Hrs
    Total contact hours: 3 Hrs per week x 12 weeks = 36 Hrs
    Total self-guided study: 156 Hrs – 36 Hrs = 120 Hrs

    These 120 hours should be used towards preparation of weekly tasks and for completion of the various assignments associated with the course, including development of various skills required to complete the same. Please organise your time wisely.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Make Concrete Units
    Review Assignment # 2Activities will include:Lectures, workshops involving completion of specific tasks building skills toward development of assignments, quizzes consolidating lecture information, site visits, field trips.
    Schedule
    Week Lecture Tutorial
    Week 1 Course introduction
    Landscape Detailing & Material
    Specification
    Campus Landscape Details
    Note: please bring drawings aids (scale
    ruler etc.) pens etc.
    Upload Tutorial Task 1 (2%) by 7pm
    Tuesday 9 March
    Week 2 Timber, Metal, Concrete and
    Stone
    Handout Assignment #1. Review & grading Workshop.
    Upload tutorial task 2 by 7pm
    Week 3 Construction Drawings and
    Specifications
    Construction Detailing Conventions
    Note: please bring paper / trace,
    drawings aids (scale ruler etc.) pens
    etc.
    Upload Tutorial Task 2 (2%) by 7pm
    Week 4 Glass, Ceramics, Recycled &
    Ecological Materials
    Green Infrastructure
    Innovative Technologies
    Present Assignment #1
    (case studies only)
    Week 5 Assignments 2 & 4 Introduction Field Trip – Landscape Construction
    Site - Glenside Central Reserve
    Week 6 Accessibility Safety Compliance
    Steps, Ramps and Paving
    Make Concrete Units
    Review Assignment # 2
    Mid Semester Break
    Week 7 Playgrounds & recreation Test Concrete Units
    Review Assignment # 2
    Week 8 Grading Grading Workshop #1
    Note: please bring paper / trace,
    drawings aids (scale ruler etc.) pens
    etc.
    Upload Tutorial Task 4 (2%) by 7pm
    Week 9 Site design process Grading Workshop #2 (not marked)
    Review Assignment # 4
    Week 10 Detail design process Review Assignment # 4
    Week 11 NO LECTURE Review Assignment # 4
    Week 12 NO LECTURE Review Assignment # 4
    Please note that details may be subject to change. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. It is expected that students review course email correspondence daily.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Site Visit to an active construction site will require steel toe cap shoes with ankle support.
    High Viability Vests and Hardhats will be provided by site manager.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Due Date Time Weight Type Learning Outcomes
    1:Materials Research Week 4 Outside Class 20% Summative 1-4
    2: Innovative Landscape Element Week 7 Outside Class 20% Summative 1-5
    3: On-line Quiz (based on lecture and tutorial material) Week 9 Outside CLass 10% Summative 1-6
    4: Drafted Construction Set Week 12 40% formative 1-6
    5:Tutorial tasks
    Task 1 – Campus Landscape Details
    Task 2 – Construction Detailing Conventions
    Task 3 – Landscape Legends & Drawing Set Conventions
    Task 4 – Grading Workshop #1
    ongoing 10% 1-6
    Assessment Related Requirements
    To do well students need to participate in all class activities. Please make sure you attend regularly and come prepared for class and site visits.
    Assessment Detail
    Marking & Feedback (General)
    • Final results for the course will only be available through Access Adelaide and students should not
       contact the course coordinator or the tutors for the same.
    • Feedback for in-class submissions will only be available during the tutorial as oral critique in the style
       of studio wall- and desk-crits. Students should arrange with peers to make notes for reference.
    Submission
    The submission dates and locations for various assignments associated with this course are:
    Task/Assignment No. & Name Due Date Time Weight Submission Method
    #1
    Site grading and landform negotiation

    Week 5
    28 Mar
    7pm 20% upload to MyUni
    #2 Element detailing Week 8
    4 May
    7pm 30% upload to MyUni
    #3 Full drafted construction set

    Week 12
    2 June
    7pm 40% upload to MyUni
    (provide draft hardcopy in class Week 10)
    Attendance / Participation - 5 Tasks ongoing 7pm 10% upload to MyUni

    Submissions (General):











    -All submissions must include Student Name and Student ID Number.
    Submissions without Student Name or ID Number will not be considered for marking, and will receive zero marks in accordance with the guidelines.
    - In addition, all assigments need to have an Assignment Cover Sheet which must be signed and dated by the student before submission. Please attach the cover sheet in front of the document, to the top left hand corner.
    - Please adhere to submission deadlines and follow instructions provided.
    - Students must not submit work for an assignment that has previously been submitted for this course or any other course without prior approval from the Course Coordinator.
    - On occasion, the lecturer/tutor may wish to retain students’ work for future reference and the relevant student will be informed at such a time.
    Early Submission:

    There is an early submission box located on Level 4 which is cleared out daily at 10am. Please mark your submission clearly before placing in box.
    Late Submission:



    - The school will NOT accept late submissions and any such assignmentwill receive zero marks. This also applies to electronic submissions.
    - Printing delays & hard disk crashes will not be entertained as legitimate causes for delay, so please ensure that the work is finished in advance.
    Re-submission:




    - The school has a resubmission policy FOR UNDERGRADUATE COURSES ONLY whereby students can redeem failed work by submitting additional work for a maximum of 50%. However, this does not apply to the Class Test or to the Final Essay as they are pieces of summative assessment and exempt from this rule.
    Good practice:





    - Students should ensure that they regularly backup their work on multiple
    locations as hard-disk crashes are an unfortunate reality.
    - When relying on community printing facilities, students should attempt to
    finish their work in advance to avoid unnecessary delays.
    - Students must retain a copy of all assignments submitted (digital or hardcopy), as originals may be lost during the submission process.
    For modified arrangements of submission and assessment due to special circumstances see the following Assessment Task Extension(s) & Additional Assessment guidelines.
    Modified Arrangements (General):












    - Students can apply for extensions or modified arrangements based on Medical conditions or other Extenuating circumstances. However, students need to submit their application along with supporting documents within 5 business days of the condition becoming applicable.
    - The application forms are available from the Front Office and at
    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/mod_arrange.html and need to besubmitted at the Front Office along with any supporting documentation.
    - Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee acceptanceand the Course Coordinator will inform the applicant if the application isaccepted. Please DO NOT contact the Course Coordinator directly.
    Medical Reasons:



    In case of an extended medical condition which makes it impossible for thestudent to submit the work on time, an Application for Assessment Task Extension due to Medical Circumstances may be lodged with the Front Office along with a doctor’s certificate within 5 business days.
    Extenuating Circumstances:








    - If the student is unable to submit the work on time due to extenuating circumstances an Application for Assessment Task Extension due to Extenuating Circumstances may be lodged with the Front Office.
    - Please note that this is only available for certain military, religious, or legal obligations and does not extend to minor personal problems.
    Compassionate Grounds:







    - In case of certain extraordinary personal problems students can apply for extensions based on compassionate grounds. However, these must first be discussed with the Course Coordinator in person through appointment during the assigned office hours.
    - To maintain privacy relating to personal issues students can contact the University Transition and Advisory Service at 8313 0100 or
    transition@adelaide.edu.au, or approach the Counselling Service on
    83035663 for an individual appointment.
    Additional Assessment:





    - If a student receives a Fail grade for the course with an overall mark between 45 and 49, they may be eligible for an Additional Assessment which would allowthem to get a maximum of 50 Pass for the Course.
    - Additional Assessment offers are made by the School and the student will be informed directly once these are made available.
    Disability:





    Students who have a disability and wish to seek modified submission or assessment arrangements need to contact the University Disability Services at 83135962 or disability@adelaide.edu.au for supporting documentation and then communicate these to the Course Coordinator in person through appointment during the assigned office hours.
    Elite Athlete:





    Students who have national/international sporting commitments and wish to seek modified submission or assessment arrangements need to register with the University Elite Athlete Support Scheme at
    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/eliteathletes/ and then communicate this to the Course Coordinator in person through appointment during the assigned office hours.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Grades will be displayed in Myuni

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

    Submission details will be posted on MyUni
  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    In this course students receive feedback in a variety of ways including verbally through regular class attendance.
  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.