The Landcape Design Studio aims at defining and experimenting (at the different scales at which Landscape Architecture works) categories, instruments and strategies to describe, interpret and transform open spaces and landscapes, in their natural and anthropological components, also in relation to the historical transformations and to the social-economic and territorial context to which they belong.

The studio problematizes issues of orientation and experience, scale and pattern, topographic form, climatic and vegetative influences, and varied ecological processes that help to define open spaces, in urban and natural context. In the sequence of the design studios along the master program, the course helps students develop spatial literacy and proficiency in diverse modes of inquiry in landscape architecture.

Students:

- acquire knowledge and understanding of the techniques and tools for landscape design;

- are capable of facing a critical approach to all necessary scales of a landscape design with advanced levels of specialisation and detail;

- are capable of facing design problems where soil, terrain, geology, mineral resources, climate, water, plants, wildlife, and living systems interactions are major drivers;

- acquire high levels of understanding of design research, strategic thinking, technical resolution and graphic expression.

Referring to Alan Berger’s urban ‘drosscape’ or Beth Meyer’s post-industrial ‘disturbed site’, the studio will develop a design research about the topic of WASTE LANDSCAPES.

Degradation of our ground, waterways, and air quality is the unintended consequence of our culture of mass production and consumption. Students will be asked to develop their own design research and project addressing issues arising from contemporary patterns of consumption.

Students will propose their own site (or choose from a list of suggested sites) on which they will develop their design research and project. Sites will be examined at a variety of spatial and temporal scales, considering ecological flows and processes, contamination, urban relationships and cultural meaning. Using a method of critical mapping and in-situ analysis students will design their own program and site strategies which they will develop into a landscape project.

No prerequisites are required

The attendance of all the proposed studio activities is mandatory.

The final exam consists in the assessment of the project and in general of the works carried out during the semester, as well as in the verification of the students' awareness on a theoretical-critical level, in relation to the contents developed in the laboratory and to the texts suggested.

see especially Elizabeth K. Meyer, Beyond