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Designing Living Systems (LARC20001)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Ecological design is an interdisciplinary endeavour that demands a high level of scientific literacy from the lead designer. This subject, Designing Living Systems, examines the technical aspects of ecological design in the urban context.
Through a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials delivered by practitioners and experts from the allied disciplines, this subject guides the students through the process of developing a conceptual ecological design that is grounded in applied urban ecology.
This seminars and studio-based core subject explores the integration of living systems into Melbourne’s urban environments, focusing on where people live and work. The subject builds on theories, principles, practices and representations introduced in Natural History and focuses on design applicability through a series of assignments.
Intended learning outcomes
- To develop the ability to select plant material palettes and prepare planting plans for a range of urban project scales in Melbourne;
- To develop an appreciation of the aesthetic, functional and ecological contributions of living systems (native and non-native plants and plant communities, soils and their relationship to micro-climates, water systems, biodiversity, energy and on-going maintenance, performance rating schemes) to contemporary and future urban landscapes;
- Assimilates ecological design principles, spatial patterns and aesthetic considerations of planting design with the built urban environment, with an emphasis on the research and expression of ecological ideas;
- Engages with and manipulates the interrelationship between animal, plant, soil, hydrological and climatic conditions;
- Familiar with the characteristics of commonly used Australian plants and their ecosystems;
- Develop an understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges specific to ecological design in the urban context;
- Develop skills in landscape documentation techniques.
Generic skills
- Critical and spatial thinking
- Multiscalar spatial analysis
- Ability to represent concepts and express them through graphic representations, written and oral presentations
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LARC10001 | Natural History | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Knowledge of the following subject is strongly recommended:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH10003 | Design Studio Alpha |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Assignment 1: plant Database
| Week 3 | 15% |
Assignment 2: Ecological Research
| Week 5 | 15% |
Assignment 3: Site Analysis
| Week 7 | 20% |
Assignment 4: A design exercise
| Week 12 | 50% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Alex Felson Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 1X2 hour lecture and 1X2 hour tutorial Per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 6 August 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 Semester 2 contact information
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022