Focused on ground materiality, this course explores constructed potentials of working with biotic and abiotic materials, and techniques for modifying ground conditions. The shape and properties of the ground are fundamental for water movement, vegetative growth and microclimatic conditions on site. Learning the mechanisms for transforming earth’s surface opens up site-based design possibilities.
Learning objective
Students learn comprehensive skills for reading and modifying topography, soil and water, and for working with material life-cycles, behaviors and qualities to define new potentials for the constructed ground.
Content
Through a series of lectures, short exercises and on-site fieldwork, this course teaches the fundamental techniques of land, water and substrate manipulation, focusing on earthwork, drainage, soil and material properties. During the two-week module, students learn analog and digital grading techniques in Rhino and Grasshopper, and experiment with techniques for working with hybrid materials.
The fundamental course Materials and Construction I (13th November – 24th November 2023) is closely linked to the Foundation Studio I course.
Lecture notes
A course reader is provided during the course.
Literature
Relevant literature is included in the reader.
Prerequisites / Notice
The course is aimed exclusively at the students of the master's program in landscape architecture.
The detailed course schedule is provided at the beginning of the semester and is included in the reader.
