LA 120
Topographic Form and Design Technology

Spring 2007

Instructor:
Derek Schubert

Lecture (CCN: 48524) F 8 – noon 315A Wurster

Units: 2

LA 120 is designed to build upon the critical thinking and technical skills that have been introduced in LA 101, continuing the exploration of ideas, materials, and processes thru the mediums of earthwork and water. The exercises and research will help develop grading-related skills and knowledge required to professionally practice landscape architecture. The course is structured to build a foundation of basic concepts and skills, with an increasing degree of complexity as the course progresses.

Short assignments will be given for each technical skill presented in class. Case study research and presentations will be required of each student. Classes are 1-1/2 hours long, and will include a short review of the previous assignment, a brief lecture introducing new considerations, and project discussion or desk crits. Readings will be assigned when relevant to current discussions.

In addition, the course will introduce the topics of the organization of typical contract documents and specifications; typical site drainage structures and methods; road alignment concepts, specialty design items, and digital representation of such documents. A few short field trips to illustrate the topics will be taken.

Equipment:
Typical drafting equipment plus a small hand calculator will be necessary.

Grading Policy:
During the term, students will be graded on the basis of submitting assignments on time, and participation in lecture and lab. Emphasis will be placed on progress and improvement in demonstrating comprehension and communication of the principles of grading and drainage.

Required Text:
The required text for this course is Site Engineering for Landscape Architects by Steven Strom and Kurt Nathan.

Optional Text:
Grade Easy by Richard Unterman
Timesaver Standards for Landscape Architecture by Nicholas Dines and Charles Harris

Additional Reading:
Reading material in landscape construction is scattered and broken into small and special categories. You will find additional references in each of these books and you are encouraged to search out the information when the specific case demands it.

Charter, S.P.R. Man on Earth. Contact Editions, Sausalito, CA. 1962
Eckbo, Garrett. Landscape for Living. McGraw Hill, Inc., NY. 1950
Farb, Peter and Life Magazine. Ecology: The Forest; The Sea; The Desert. Time, Inc., NY. 1963.
Hyams, Edward. Soil and Civilization. Thames and Hudson, London. 1952
Landphair and Klatt. Landscape Architecture Construction. Elsevier Science Publication Co. 1979
Lynch, Kevin. Site Planning. 2nd Edition, M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, MA 1972
Parker, H., and J. MacGuire. Simplified Site Engineering for Architects and Builders. John Wiley & Sons., Inc., NY. 1954
Scott, J.S. Dictionary of Civil Engineering. Penguin Books, Baltimore, MD. 1965
Simonds, John O. Landscape Architecture. McGraw Hill, Inc., NY. 1961
Storer, John. The Web of Life. New American Library, NY. 1972
Straub, Hans. A History of Civil Engineering. M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, MA. 1952
Untermann, Richard. Principles and Practices of Grading, Drainage & Road Alignment--An Ecological Approach.