LA364 - D E S I G N AND N A T U R E  (not "design with nature")

Autumn Term 2007

Professor: Merlyn Paulson

Autumn Term 2007 will be devoted to the exploration of design and nature issues within the Lory State Park and upper Poudre River environments.

As students of Design and Nature, you will concern yourselves with drawing, writing, and evaluation while exploring the fundamental theories and methods of decision making for extremely sensitive mountain landscapes. You will learn the history and philosophy of landscape planning, issues of perception of the natural and cultural landscape, analytical techniques, and computer technology. Attention is focused on experiences which result in mastery of the sequential components of landscape analysis; research, analysis, and synthesis. Landscape inventory, analysis and design methods are addressed in a series of discussions, projects, and excursions.

Design and Nature brings together and demands the application of the entire content of the curriculum you have experienced to date. Learning landscape analysis and design theories and methods requires exploration of an integrated sequence of increasingly complex project processes and case study situations.

Toward success in this course:

· Attend classes and participate in discussions, field trips and pinups...

· Establish a design studio space and work there...

· Demonstrate quality skills in drawing, writing and evaluation...

· Make the most of opportunities for desk crits...

· Document course info and ideas in your notebook...

· Explore images & ideas in your sketchbook...

· Utilize professor to refine talents, develop new skills and learn about the profession...

Course Grade Assignment

Projects and participation/engagement will account for 100% of the final grade for the course. Toward participation/engagement, there will be a deduction of 1/2 letter grade for each non-exempt absence from class.

Letter Grade Definitions:

" A " Submittals are complete and of distinctive professional school quality.

" A- " Submittals are complete and would be of distinctive professional school quality with minor revisions or additions.

" B " Submittals are nearly complete and / or would be of distinctive professional school quality with moderate revisions or additions.

" C " Submittals are moderately complete and / or would be of distinctive professional school quality with major revisions or additions.

" D " Submittals are not complete and / or nearly without redeeming qualities.

" F " Student is actively disengaged from the course.

Required References

Benedict. A Naturalist's Guide to the Southern Rocky Mountains. Sierra Club Handbook

Carter, Forrest, The Education of Little Tree

Dangermond, Jack. ArcGIS w/ CD. Environmental Systems Research Institute. Redlands, California

McHarg, Ian. Design With Nature. Doubleday, New York

Mutel and Emerick. From Grasslands to Glaciers. Johnson Books - look for used copy.

Personal Equipment

Typical drawing equipment for a landscape architectural studio, sketchbook, notebook. It will help significantly to have your own computer with ArcGIS, Photoshop, Illustrator, Powerpoint or Flash, and Word.