Course Description
Emerging sustainable design-build practices integrating community involvement, design, development, fabrication, and installation, with an emphasis on low-impact design and adaptive reuse. Through "design-build," students will work with community members to design and physically construct chosen designs.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students are expected to take a leading role in the
ongoing communication with community leaders and project
participants by (1) keeping a daily log of communication and (2)
reporting a weekly or biweekly summary of ongoing communication
to their project group. The quality of work will demonstrate
excellence and greater depth in design thinking and theory,
design/build fundamentals, graphic communication, and written
description/explanation through the following metrics: (1)
creative and structurally sound design that meets clients needs;
(2) accurate and complete design documents that reflect
professional standards for construction of landscape structures;
(3) legible and accurate scaled drawings of proposed
construction; and (4) demonstration of proper fabrication and
installation techniques.
Athena Title
Design Build
Non-Traditional Format
Course includes a service-learning project during the semester that either employs skills or knowledge learned in the course or teaches new skills or knowledge related to course objectives. The course uses service-learning as the primary pedagogical tool for teaching course objectives. Students will work on a comprehensive project(s) and may be required to spend considerable time outside the classroom. Students will be engaged in the service-learning component for approximately 75- 100% of overall instructional time.
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
•Understand where materials come from, with an emphasis on sustainable materials. •Understand the design-build process from start to finish, including design, fabrication, and installation. •Improve communication skills by working directly with community members and partners. •Develop leadership skills and confidence in design and project management. •Understand the value and potentials for service-learning through direct participation in a community project.
Topical Outline
• Community engagement and client needs • Design ideation and concepts • Relationships between design and materials • Design development and material takeoffs • Fabrication and construction • Project management • Participatory installation • Reflection