Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Honours

Purpose

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Honours Degree is a Postgraduate specialisation qualification, with the purpose of preparing students for the Master of Landscape Architecture Degree. The Degree develops the student's research methods and techniques (through the vehicle of design), demanding a high level of theoretical and intellectual engagement in order to meet the skills requirements of the Master's Degree.

Rationale

Training landscape architects addresses the environmental and landscape related challenges and opportunities of contemporary South Africa. It is core to enabling a sustainable built environment. The qualification is informed by principles of engaged citizenship, social and environmental justice.

The qualification satisfies the landscape architectural industry's need for a 'middle level' qualification. The Degree includes research under supervision totalling 64 Credits (the design major modules). The qualification enables a person to register with the South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Professions (SACLAP) as a Professional Senior Landscape Architectural Technologist.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is supported by South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession (SACLAP). If a student would like to apply on the basis of RPL, an applicant will need to compile a portfolio that includes evidence of any previous courses and/or qualifications in a related field, a portfolio of design, demonstrable current work experience of at least 3-5 years and a clear motivation. Candidates will also be required to submit proof of proficiency in English.

A panel of academics with experience in the discipline will assess the portfolio of evidence of each applicant applying on the basis of RPL, and will assess the merit on an individual basis according to a rubric.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission to a Bachelor of Honours is

• Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Level 7.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 176 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 176 Credits

• Landscape Architecture Studio I, 32 Credits.
• Landscape Architecture Studio II, 32 Credits.
• Aspects of City Design, 12 Credits.
• History and Theory of Landscape Architecture I, 12 Credits.
• Landscape Systems, 12 Credits.
• Terrain Analysis, 12 Credits.
• Constructing Landscape Systems, 12 Credits.
• Plants and Design, 12 Credits.
• Landscape Representation, 12 Credits.
• Landscape Architecture Practice, 8 Credits.
• Environmental Planning and Management Processes, 8 Credits.
• Regulatory and Legal Framework, 12 Credits.

1. Demonstrate the development of a body of knowledge of landscape architecture (across multiple sources of knowledge) which is at the forefront of the discipline, and the ability to apply this knowledge to contemporary challenges and opportunities associated with the landscape.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the complex diversity of standards, methods and techniques associated with landscape architectural planning and design, and be able to utilise various combinations of these for the identification, analysis and resolution of landscape challenges and opportunities.
3. Understand the nature of research as the production of knowledge, especially in relation to the application of the design process as inquiry. Demonstrate the development of an awareness and familiarity with the methods and processes of research as an inquiry through landscape architectural design for preparation for independent research in the Master's Degree.
4. Develop an understanding of the nature and scope of the theoretical domain of landscape architecture and its role in the process of design for informed decision making.
5. Understand how the elements of the physical landscape as well as the design process are related together in the form of a hierarchical system.
6. Communicate various aspects (primarily the products of the design process) of the discipline of landscape architecture in a professional manner characterised by creative insights, rigorous interpretations and appropriate solutions to problems and issues.
7. Apply strategies and methods to serve his/her learning needs taking full his/her work ethic.
8. Identify and address ethics, values and procedures associated with the practice of landscape architecture across different cultural contexts.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Prepare spatial design solutions for a wide range of scales and contexts relating to urban and natural landscapes.
• Understand and be able to identify, analyse and synthesise the various generators for design through comprehensive contextual studies.
• Demonstrate awareness of and to effectively apply landscape architectural planning and design processes for problem and opportunity identification, the generation of appropriate design concepts and final design generation.
• Gather, organise, analyse and interpret information related to natural (ecological) and cultural (social) processes for informing planning and design.
• Develop an understanding of the process of landscape architectural design as a form of research, or inquiry through design.
• Understand the nature of sustainability in the built environment and the factors that determines sustainability performance and measurement.
• Understand the development of the discipline through the ages, and be aware of seminal designers and projects and the different principles and approaches to landscape architecture associated with these.
• Understand that landscape design is an expression of a set of ideas, values, approaches and principles of a particular period in history.
• Develop an acute awareness of the nature, scope and role of theory in landscape architecture, and its role in rigorous decision making.
• Understand that the representation of the landscape is primarily about understanding the nature of the landscape and exploring its planning and design.
• Understand that representation in landscape architecture is also concerned with communicating the discipline to various audiences for various purposes.
• Represent the attributes of the landscape digitally, through model building and through hand drawing.
• Utilise the appropriate software for digital representation.
• Represent the landscape and proposed intervention verbally and in text.
• Understand there is an interactive relationship between the creating and making of the landscape (the relationship between design and construction).
• Understand the primary materials used in landscape design and their fixing and application.
• Understand the various elements of site making, such as grading and contour manipulation, sustainable urban drainage systems and wetland construction.
• Develop a set of working drawings relating to the bullet 3 above.
• Aware of the regulatory framework governing practice in the built environment in South Africa.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is based on project products (graphic, written and verbal).

The theory modules are concerned with procedural and substantive theory and are continuously assessed.

Various methods of assessment are used to measure and record the progress of students through the year. These primarily include the examination of term or minor assignment papers and project documents submitted in response to topics or project briefs specified for each of the modules. In certain project-based modules, audio-visual presentations are also used to assess student progress in work undertaken by both groups and individual students. In general, however, documents are submitted in addition to any such presentations.