In 2012, the School of Architecture & Design had its first intake of students into the Bachelor of Environmental Design (Landscape). This course has been five years in the planning and we are extremely proud of its structure, diversity, environmental focus and recent accreditation by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. In 2009 the Landscape Architecture Program Director, Dr Catriona McLeod travelled to nine schools of landscape architecture in Australia and North America. Catriona also met with local landscape architects, AILA, potential students, academics, authors and design clients to get a sense of where landscape architecture sits as a profession and as a subject of study.
As a result we believe this course is unique in Australia. Tasmania comprises a wide range of strikingly diverse and beautiful bioregions, with relatively easy access to many wild places, urban environments and regional towns. It is a location that is politically and actively fraught in terms of environmental and land management issues. We also provide an opportunity for integration with other design disciplines; this is aimed at replicating real-life practice, but it also provides design students with a variety of design ‘languages’, a broadened design sensibility and an increased empathy for these other disciplines.
It is intended these degrees in Landscape Architecture will be recognised nationally and internationally, not only for their multi-disciplinary and integrated programs, innovative teaching methods and successful graduate placement, but also for recognition as best practice exemplars in environmentalism and sustainability in landscape architecture.
In order to qualify as a Landscape Architect, students need to complete a further two years of full time study in landscape architecture at Masters level. The School of Architecture& Design at UTAS will introduce the Master of Sustainable Landscapes in 2015. This will fulfill the academic requirements for membership of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA). The Bachelor of Environmental Design (Landscape) was accredited by AILA in 2011.
Graduates who have completed the Bachelor of Environmental Design (Landscape) without having completed Masters level study in landscape architecture can be employed in assistant positions undertaking duties under the guidance of a qualified landscape architect. Graduates of the Bachelor of Environmental Design (Landscape) are eligible to apply for entry into Landscape architecture Masters programs and other postgraduate programs. Landscape Architecture is a multi-disciplined, collaborative profession, comprised of landscape design, planning and management, urban design and academia. Landscape architects work on projects that require the integration of skills and knowledge such as art, design, engineering, horticulture, sustainability, resource management and technology. Projects range from the management and planning for wilderness areas to smaller public and private spaces such as gardens, public parks, campuses and playgrounds, and newer initiatives such as bioremediation, impact assessments and research.
The Bachelor of Environmental Design (Landscape) is a full-time time degree, which can be undertaken, if necessary, in a part-time capacity. Landscape students complete all first year units with the architecture, furniture and interior design students (with the exception of a Landscape History Module in Semester 2). This provides an excellent grounding for later multi-disciplinary practice and teamwork. Students undertake design studios, studios in design communication and workshops in building/environmental technology.
In Year 2, landscape students undertake specific landscape-focussed units such as Landscape Design & Technology Studios 1 & 2, Landscape Ecology & Horticulture, Landscape Structures & Materials and a seminar module on Landscape Theory.
In Year 3, the units are structured to prepare students for the Master of Sustainable Landscapes, and for practice. Units include Landscape Design Studio: Master Planning, Landscape Design Studio: Collaborative & Community Design, Site Engineering and Landscape Architecture: Documentation & Professional Practice, in addition to design theory units.
In Years 2 and 3, students also complete 4 elective units to attain a richer understanding of landscape architecture and design, amongst other disciplines; for example, design, history, science and the environmental studies, in preparation for professional collaborative work. Students may take up to two electives from another School in the University (if they are offered in the respective semester) for example:
Investigates a series of design projects through the model of studio teaching.
Introduces freehand and measured drawing techniques, Computer Aided Design (CAD), two and three dimensional drawing conventions, illustration techniques for design presentation, model making and written and verbal presentation skills.
Investigates the history and theory of western design, the study of design in society, the development of design in Australia and the history of landscape architecture and garden design from ancient times. Through the study of significant historical and theoretical developments, the units also encourage a richly informed approach to contemporary design and knowledge.
Examines materials, structures, construction and services for domestic and small to medium scale sites.
Explores the design and construction of landscapes including basic earthworks, management of surface water, contour manipulation and water drainage, and draft standard grading plans. Develops skills in CAD terrain modelling and drawing skills. Sustainable land and resource management will be introduced and students will generate their responses to specific environmental problems.
Investigates plant and landscape ecologies, and horticultural histories, practices and methods, with an emphasis on botany, planting, sustainability and organic principles, as well as design using endemic and appropriate species.
Investigates techniques in locating and specifying landscape building materials. Develops manual technical drawing and computer skills required to complete construction drawings.
Addresses urban renewal and master planning strategies before focusing on resolution of landscape architectural designs at a preliminary design stage. Looks at the advantage of collaboration between architects, landscape architects, artists, engineers and environmental consultants in order to achieve innovative and sustainable site solutions.
Provides students with the opportunity to undertake cross-disciplinary design collaboration, and/or a community-based project.
Examines advanced site engineering for drainage, grading, road alignment and earthwork.Landscape Architecture: Documentation & Professional Practice: Highlights the cultural context for contemporary design practice and the ethics and attitudes that govern professional practice. Introduces issues of law including property and land ownership, duty of care and the basis for professional liability.
Opportunities for students to explore other areas of design, including architecture, interior design and furniture design. Students may take up to two electives from another School in the University.
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