LASC 409 Major Design

There are three major and closely interconnected elements within Major Design. Firstly, students are required to prepare a Design Study in which they collate and evaluate the key cultural, social, perceptual and biophysical issues relating to their site; explore a range of design influences, inspirations and theoretical frameworks; and develop a brief with supporting assumptions. Secondly, students build upon this framework to develop a fully resolved design proposal for their site at a range of scales. Typically these include a regional context sheet at 1:10,000 or larger, a broadscale design at 1:2,000, an intermediate design at 1:500 and a detail design at 1:100, all of which have to be well supported by illustrations. Thirdly, students have to develop this conceptual material into resolved ‘working drawings’ for a portion of their site, covering planting design, levels and design details (construction drawing).

The sites on which students work are self selected (with the advice and final approval of the subject’s examiner) and the problems and issues that students resolve are teased out during their site investigation and analysis. Because of this the course is very much self-driven, allowing students to explore issues concerning a site of personal interest and challenge, in some instances launching them on a career path.