Shaping the Landscape (ABPL90271)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Landscape grading and its representation has an intense and rich history. Within this subject we explore the relationship between digital modelling, geological processes and design with landform. We will be investigating and testing methods for representing conceptual, structural, aesthetic and engineering design decisions.
The subject is structured in two parts: The first part develops skills in traditional hand drawn landscape design tools while the second part develops skills in evolving software to represent complex intersections between the landform of existing sites and proposals for built form.
The importance of landform modelling to the design vocabulary of landscape architecture will be introduced, alongside fundamental principles of drainage, levels, surveying and representation techniques.
Prescribed software programs with no cost
Autodesk Civil 3D
Autodesk 3Ds Max
QGIS (Opensource)
Prescribed software programs with a cost
Chaos Group Vray
Prescribed software tools (cost varies)
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
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Develop skills for working with 2D, 3D, manual and digital representation mediums used in the design and interdisciplinary communication of landform and site grading.
- Make landscape grading and drainage design decisions and articulate how they influence the human experience.
- Apply an iterative process to design development, that reflects industry practice.
- Produce creative and technically accurate responses to grading and drainage problems clearly defined by design intentions.
- Describe and apply the Australian standard AS 1428.1 Design for Access and Mobility.
- Apply fundamental science and mathematics to technical grading and drainage problems.
Generic skills
- Demonstrate an ability to collate and reproduce your work in a logical manner.
- Use the correct technical terminology for landscape grading.
- Develop creative responses to complex problems.
- Demonstrate ability to develop creative responses to complex problems.
- Demonstrate critical thinking through design experimentation and making.
- Support your design decisions with clear argument.
Last updated: 23 April 2025