Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture Syllabus Fall 2018 Course: LAR 385K Landscape Technology Workshop I Unique number: 01510 Course type: lecture + workshop Credits: three Enrollment: required for MLA I, MLA I-AP Prerequisite: graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser Instructor: Gabriel Díaz Montemayor, ASLA, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture Email: [email protected] Office location: WMB (West Mall Office Building) Room 4.102C. Telephone: (512)471-0752 www.gabrieldiazmontemayor.com Schedule Lecture on Tuesdays 09:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (except when noted in the class’ schedule) Workshop on Thursdays 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (except when noted in the class’ schedule) Location: GOLDSMITH Hall 4.114 Office hours: By appointment. Set up via email. Catalog Description: Introduces the principles, processes, and practices of site manipulation, description, and construction techniques. Includes systems of measurement, grading, earthwork, site circulation, and site drainage, and examines the representation, application, and integration of site-related operations. Meeting Information: Two lecture hours on Tuesdays (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) and two workshop hours on Thursdays (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) a week for one semester. Course Format: Generally, all topics will be presented and discussed in lectures scheduled on Tuesdays. A workshop will follow on Thursdays where assignments are going to be presented by the instructor and started by the students. The lectures will be based on the assigned text book and additional readings to be provided by the instructor before Tuesday meetings. On Tuesdays, students will be advised of any specific materials (i.e. paper, cardboard, pencils, pens, scales, rulers) required to be brought to the following Thursday workshop in order to work, during workshop hours, on the assignments. Assignments will be generally due one week after being introduced by the instructor. Although the students will start working on assignments on Thursdays, completion of these will take more than the 2 scheduled workshop hours. Assignments will grow in complexity and in some cases scale. By the final full month of the course, November, most sessions will be workshops focusing on solving assignments. These final month assignments will be similar to design problems found in the Landscape Architecture Registration Exam, Section 4 for grading and drainage. Time commitment: 4 hours in class every week plus an average of twice (8 hours) that time outside regularly scheduled meeting hours. Main Topics: The main topics to be studied are: 1. Introduction to the topic / History of site grading. LAR 385K Fall 2018 2. Basic concepts: a. Contours and landform types b. Grading constraints i. Accessibility / ADA 3. Slope formula application and interpolation 4. Basic grading operations and process 5. Earthwork / Computation of cut and fill volumes 6. Soils in construction 7. Storm water management: a. Systems and components b. The rational method to determine volumes of storm runoff c. Green infrastructure and grading 8. Comprehensive integration of grading and storm water management in complex grading operations and processes. There will be a number of practical case studies in support of the different topics covered throughout the lectures. Learning Objectives: This is the first course in the landscape architecture technology curriculum. As such, the main objectives of the class are: To develop a basic verbal and graphic vocabulary of conventions within the practice of Landscape Architecture construction. To acquire an understanding of basic landform design techniques. To explore and understand construction as an integral part of the design process. To acquire an understanding of the integration of pre-development conditions and artificial landforms. To explore landforms as elements integrating design intention and function. To understand and learn how landform affects drainage, and how to integrate both subjects. To learn the basic concepts, systems, components, methods and techniques of grading, earthwork, storm water management, green infrastructure, runoff volumes, and the comprehensive integration of these in grading exercises. To learn how to design accessible routes, paths, and spaces, based on sound design principles and the American Disabilities Act (ADA) code. To learn how to grade typical landscape architecture design programs and typologies and provide with a foundation for the execution and integration of grading in design studios within the MLA program. To familiarize with typical grading design exercises found in LARE (Landscape Architect Registration Examination). To embrace the premise that “grading is design.” Attendance Policy: Regular Attendance Regular Attendance is expected for all exams, lectures, field trips, lab sessions, and discussions unless stated by the instructor. If a class meeting has to be rescheduled for any reason, it will be done in as timely a manner as possible, with the intention of accommodating the majority of the course participants' schedules. Students will be informed via Canvas or email. Religious and Holy Days Absences based on religious observances must be arranged fourteen [14] days in advance. Any assignment submission missed during that time must be turned in within one week [7 days] of the scheduled absence. A student who fails to complete missed work within the time allowed will be subject to the normal academic penalties for late work. LAR 385K Fall 2018 Military Service In accordance with section 51.9111 of the Texas Education Code, a student is excused from attending classes or engaging in other required activities, including exams, if he or she is called to active military service of a reasonably brief duration. The maximum time for which the student may be excused has been defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as “no more than 25 percent of the total number of class meetings or the contact hour equivalent (not including the final examination period) for the specific course or courses in which the student is currently enrolled at the beginning of the period of active military service.” The student will be allowed a reasonable time after the absence to complete assignments and take exams. Policies affecting students who withdraw from the University for Military Service are given in the Withdrawal section of Academic Policies and Procedures of the General Information Catalog. Illness driven Absence An absence due to illness will be labeled as EXCUSED when the Instructor or Teaching assistant receives appropriate documentation from a physician. Any assignment submission missed due to documented illness must be turned in within one week [7 days] of the absence or one week [7 days] from the original submission date. Missing twenty-five percent [25%] of the class meetings is beyond reasonable under any circumstance. Course participants with three [3] unexcused absences will have their numeric grade reduced by one out of four grade points at the conclusion of the semester. Additional unexcused absences will result in additional point reductions of .33 grade points per absence. It is recommended that students contact the instructor prior to class if they expect to be absent. Assignments: There will be 12 assignments due during the semester. Assignment descriptions will be presented on Thursday workshops. Please see attached class schedule. Evaluation: Fulfillment of each assignment is dependent upon the successful and timely completion of the assignment's stated intent. The evaluation will consider the level of precision executed in the following areas: 1. Graphic conventions (25%): should employ the discipline's standards for symbols, text, and organization. 2. Technical / Method application (55%): should conform to principles and practices of sound construction techniques. 3. Integration (20%): considers the integration of site, design intent, function, graphic conventions, and application. The final course grade will be computed as a compilation of the semester's assignments, mid-term, and a final exam. Their respective weights are as follows: 1. Assignments 60% (12 assignments= 5% each) 2. Mid-term exam 15% 3. Final exam 15% 4. Engagement in class 10% (including being prepared for class, doing the readings, working during workshop hours) Exams will include both exercises to be finished within the exam’s timeframe and questions about the content of the class’ topics. The final exam will include grading exercises and grading vignettes part of the LARE Preparation materials available through ASLA and CLARB. Final grades will be computed in accordance with University Academic Policies as follows: grade performance level LAR 385K Fall 2018 A The assignment is complete at all levels, and is sound in its technical application and description. A- B+ The assignment is thorough, with the potential to become superior with additional technical or graphic development. B The assignment resolves the stated intent, and accounts for the assignment's main concerns. Both process and resolution are complete, but contain minor deficiencies. B- C+ The assignment is undertaken with the minimum effort required to resolve the stated issues; it lacks rigor, precision, and extended exploration. This grade must be offset with higher grades in support courses in order to maintain graduate standing. C The assignment is passing but contains deficiencies in regard to intent, development, and resolution.