Students explore the use of earth, plants, water, and structures to create models of proposed gardens, courtyards, parks, and plazas. Students apply the concepts, principles, and theories of landscape design by developing a proposal for an actual site in the Cambridge area. This final project also includes a series of conceptual exercises on seeing the landscape, thinking about it, and creating with it. Extensive slide examples as well as site visits are used on a regular basis to demonstrate the ideas explored within the studio and to expose students to other designers and completed works. This studio offers students the opportunity to explore the design process and the principles and theories of landscape design through a variety of projects.
Students learn methods of looking at, thinking about, recording, and designing the landscape.
Projects are selected for varying scale and scope to give students a diversity of design experiences. Field trips, lectures, and assigned readings supplement studio work. Design I or equivalent. These projects have been selected to expose students to the diversity of landscape types and to the unique design challenges they present. Each project parallels many aspects of professional practice including research, analysis, synthesis, program development, concept generation, legal and regulatory issues, design development, and cost estimating.