Advanced Planting Design (ABPL90173)

Overview

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This is a studio-based elective subject that enables students to develop an advanced planting design methodology. Plant characteristics are examined as a material for their uses and effects as an integral component of landscape architecture design. A site-specific design response is formed by addressing environmental, social, cultural and ecological criteria. Strategic approaches are explored through a series of lectures, practice-based case studies, and workshops. A field trip and site visits are included to promote critical reflection and evaluation of planting in built and natural landscapes. Design exercises are staged to develop a whole life-cycle approach to the planting design process, included: collection and exchange of information; development of a plant selection matrix; generation and testing of concepts; production of a detail design proposition; and, devising feedbacking mechanisms. The subject aims to provide students with skills and appreciation for ongoing learning and working with plants as a lively, evolving material in landscape architecture design practice.

This subject may have a full day field trip.

Prescribed software programs with no cost
Autodesk 3Ds Max

Prescribed software programs with a cost
McNeel Rhino

Prescribed software tools
Image editing software (e.g. Affinity Photo)
Vector editing software (e.g. Affinity Designer)
Layout software (e.g. Affinity Publisher)

Details of software availability and pricing are captured at: https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/current-students/student-experience/it-support

Intended learning outcomes

Having completed this subject it is expected that the student be able to:

Engage with plants as a material for exploring design effects and uses in landscape architecture design.
Analyse environmental, social, cultural and ecological factors for site-specific design responses.
Explore performative techniques in generating, testing and evolving the role of plants as design elements.
Develop a whole life-cycle approach to building and sharing knowledge about plants as living systems in landscape architecture practice.
Expand critical perspectives by examining plant performance in contemporary landscapes.

Generic skills

Information gathering, exchanging and critical synthesis
Accurate use of technical horticultural and design terminology
Ability to analyse multiple site aspects of landscape contexts towards formulating design schemes
Creative response and effective written, verbal and visual techniques for communication of complex ideas
Application of graphic techniques encompassing data collection, mapping, diagrams and digital models to analyse, design and communicate
Application of theories or design approaches to critically reflecting design drivers

Last updated: 4 March 2025