University of Colorado Denver
College of Architecture and Planning
Department of Landscape Architecture
LDAR 6631
Landscape Architecture Construction Materials and Methods
Fall 2014
Tuesdays/Thursdays
9:30 – 12:15
Room 470
The level of detail and craft is something that's inscribed within the original design concept. And so
when I begin to draw, I know what kind of detailing I want the building to have. - Tadao Ando
Instructor
email
office
office hours
cell phone
Lori Catalano
lori.catalano@ucdenver.edu
320m
Tuesdays 1:30-3:30 or
by appointment
720.260.0117
Workers in Tiananmen Square assembling bamboo scaffolding
By: David White
Introduction
This course is a continuation of the technology sequence in the landscape architecture
curriculum. The pre-requisites for this course are Landform Manipulation and LA Computer
Applications. The goal is for each student to develop an understanding of the process to
translate a design concept into a fully materialized, buildable set of documents. Additionally,
each student will understand basic materials and their properties when used in landscape
construction. Finally, each student will develop an understanding of the processes of detailed
design development and construction detailing. These processes will enable the student to solve
complex problems they will encounter in future studio courses and in the practice of landscape
architecture.
Teaching Philosophy and Content
This is an application and skills-building course. Therefore, the course will have both lecture and
lab components. The lectures will be followed by homework assignments. Lab sessions are
provided to enhance the student’s understanding of the work with practical assignments
reinforcing the lectures. Field trips to local constructed projects will provide the opportunity to see
materials choices and detailing that have either succeeded or failed. The class will also visit the
premises of selected contractors and fabricators in an effort to gain perspective of the
construction process from the fabricator’s and installer’s point of view. The delivery of the course
content will be through lectures, readings, field trips, and a series of assignments that, when
assembled together, create the final project.
Some of the topics to be covered in this course include:
• Overview of construction documentation;
• Drafting conventions, layout, notation and dimensioning systems, drawing clarity and
readability;
• Physical properties of wood, concrete, stone, brick, precast concrete and metal, and the
importance of those properties in detailing and specifying these items;
• The importance of drawings and specifications that fall under the overall “construction
document” umbrella.
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Course Outcomes
To demonstrate an understanding of the subject matter, there will be a comprehensive final
project that will require developing a set of design development drawings and details. The final
project will be issued early in the semester and will be based on a series of assignments. These
assignments will demonstrate the process needed to efficiently complete a set of construction
documents. The complete set of design development drawings will be due during finals week.
By the end of the semester students should be able to:
Program – level student learning outcomes
• Demonstrate an understanding of landscape architects’ legal responsibilities with respect
to professional standards for public health, safety, welfare, and other factors affecting
design, construction and practice.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles, conventions, standards and applications
pertaining to the assembly, manufacture and use of construction materials, components,
and assemblies.
Course – level student learning outcomes
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the landscape architect in the design and
construction process. This will be accomplished by reviewing the AIA process for
construction documents, project manuals, details, and specifications.
• Demonstrate an understanding of materials and methods used in construction. The
material presented will focus on terminology, design qualities, and detail applications of
the basic materials used by the landscape architect to realize a design.
• Develop a set of design development drawings and details. This will be accomplished by
organizing and preparing a set of documents for a pre-determined preliminary design
including, drawing organization, dimensioning and notation systems, material selection,
grading, and development of details.
Assessment
Students will be graded on assignments, one mid-term exam, and the final project. Homework
assignments will consist of readings as well as application problems relating to the class
discussions. These are normally of one-week duration. As this is a class oriented around the
development of specific knowledge and skills, these assignments are critical in practicing and
demonstrating these skills. As such, assignments are important in assessing student’s progress
and understanding. Each assignment will be red-marked and returned with comments. These
returned assignments are the components that each student will refine, and then compile into the
completed final project. This final project will demonstrate the student’s knowledge of materials
and understanding of the construction documentation conventions. Final projects will be
expected to be of portfolio quality.
The final grade for the course will be based on the following distribution:
60%
15%
30%
Assignments
Exam
Final project
Assignments will be evaluated and given points on a numerical scale of 0 - 100. The letter grade
will correspond to the numerical grade as follows: A=95 or greater; A- = less than 95 to 90; B+ =
less than 90 to 85; B = less than 85 to 80; B- = less than 80 to 75; C = less than 75 to 70, D =
less than 90 to 65, and F = below 65.
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These letter grades are defined as follows:
A
Excellent
AVery good
B+
Good, better than average
B
Good, average
BC
D
F
Below average
Probationary Status
Unacceptable - retake course
Failing - retake course
Requirements
Weekly attendance and participation at lectures and lab sessions is mandatory - attendance will
be taken and recorded. The instructor is to be notified either by phone or email when attendance
is not possible. Excessive absences will reduce the student’s grade. Heavy workload in other
classes is not an excuse to be absent.
Late work will not be accepted unless “special circumstances” exist, and is acceptable only by the
determination of the instructor. Homework, papers, projects, or any other required assignments
that are turned in late (at the beginning of the class period on the due date) will receive one grade
reduction for being late. Grades for incomplete projects will be based on the percentage of
completion. Extra credit assignments will not be given.
Communication
Canvas will be used as a tool to disseminate information and to allow students access to course
material from home. Students will find assignments and readings on Canvas; it will be the
student’s responsibility to print this information and be familiar with it prior to coming to class.
Hardcopies will not be handed out in class. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure
they are registered, have access, and are familiar with the use of Canvas.
Texts and Readings
There is no required textbook because no single textbook covers the range of topics explored in
this class. Readings not included in the Recommended Text (below) will be posted to Canvas at
least 24 hours prior to class. However, these are not the sole sources of information and further
research into the topics will be required.
Recommended Text
This recommended text is not in the Auraria Bookstore, but is available online for
Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards, Student Edition
Leonard J. Hopper (Editor) (New York city Housing Authority, New York, NY)
ISBN: 978-0-470-06797-0
Optional Texts
Constructing Landscape: Materials, Techniques, Structural Components 2009. Astrid
Zimmermann, Birkhauser`.
Time Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture 1988. Charles W. Harris and Nicholas T.
Dines, McGraw-Hill.
Fundamentals of Building Construction Materials and Methods, Third Edition 1998. Edward
Allen, John Wiley and Sons.
The Handbook of Landscape Architectural Construction, Volume 4, Materials for Landscape
Construction 1992, 1st edition. Landscape Architecture Foundation, 1733 Connecticut Ave. NW,
Washington DC.20009.
The Professional Practice of Architectural Detailing 1987. Osamu A. Wakita, Richard M. Linde,
John Wiley and Sons.
The Architect’s Studio Companion – Technical Guidelines for Preliminary Design 1989. Edward
Allen and Joseph Lano, John Wiley and Sons.
The Art of Landscape Details 1999. Niall Kirkwood, John Wiley and Sons.
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Building Construction Illustrated, Third Edition 2000. Francis D.K. Ching, John Wiley and Sons.
Time Saver Standards Site Construction Details Manual, (spiral bound) 1998. Nicholas T. Dines
and Kyle D. Brown, McGraw-Hill.
Landscape Construction, Second Edition 2004. David Sauter, Thomson Delmar Learning.
Policies, Rules, and Regulations
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who want academic accommodations must register with
Disability Resources and Services (DRS), 177 Arts Building, 303-556-3450, TTY 303556-4766, FAX 303-556-2074. DRS requires students to provide current and adequate
documentation of their disabilities. Once a student has registered with DRS, DRS will
review the documentation and assess the student’s request for academic
accommodations in light of the documentation. DRS will then provide the student with a
letter indicating which academic accommodations have been approved. Once you
provide me with a copy of DRS’s letter, I will be happy to provide those accommodations
DRS has approved.
Absences, Tardiness, Tests and Examinations, and Homework
Except for documented health or disability reasons, I will not accept excuses for
absences, tardiness, missed examinations, or homework not submitted. Documentation
of disability or health related issues must be provided to Disability Resources and
Services, 177 Arts Building, 303-556-3450, TTY 303-556-4766, FAX 303-556-2074.
Returning Assignments, Tests, and Projects
1. Assignments, tests, and projects will be distributed either in a class session or left in
your mailbox on the fourth floor for you to pick up at your convenience. Canvas will be
used to post student grades.
2. I will announce when assignments, tests, and projects will be available to be picked up,
if they are not to be returned during class.
3. If you are concerned about ensuring your privacy when assignments, tests, and
projects are returned in class or made available for pickup, please provide me with an
appropriately sized envelope with your name on it each time you submit an assignment,
quiz, or project to me.
Plagiarism
Students are expected to know, understand, and comply with the ethical standards of the
university, including rules against plagiarism. Plagiarism is the use of another person’s
ideas or words without acknowledgement. The incorporation of another person’s work
into yours requires appropriate identifications and acknowledgement. The following are
considered to be forms of plagiarism when the source is not noted: word-for-word
copying of another person’s ideas or words; the “mosaic” (interspersing your own words
here and there while, in essence, copying another’s work); the paraphrase (the rewriting
of another’s work, while still using their basic ideas or theories); fabrication (inventing
sources); submission of another’s work as your own; and neglecting quotation marks
when including direct quotes.
Classroom Decorum
The following ground rules apply to all students and are designed to ensure a classroom
environment conducive to learning for all students:
1. Pagers, beepers, cellular telephones, and handheld Internet devices must be
deactivated before class begins and remain deactivated throughout the entire class
period.
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2. Please do not bring children to class.
3. Students who engage in disruptive classroom behavior will be reported to the Office of
Student Life for appropriate disciplinary action under the CU Denver Code of Student
Conduct and, when appropriate, to the Auraria Campus Police for investigation of
possible criminal action. The Code of Student Conduct can be found on the CU Denver
website, under Office of Student Life and Student Activities. Disruptive behavior
includes, but is not limited to, arriving late to class without explanation or apology; leaving
class early without explanation or apology; reading a newspaper or magazine; reading a
book with no connection to the content of the course; engaging in prolonged private
conversations; sleeping in class; eating, drinking, and/or gum chewing; passing notes;
being under the influence of drugs or alcohol; harassment or verbal or physical threats to
another student or to the instructor; failing to deactivate pagers, beepers, cellular phones,
and/or handheld internet devices; bringing children to class.
Students are prohibited from selling, or being paid by any person or commercial firm for
taking, notes or recording class lectures without the advance express written permission
of the faculty member teaching this course. Exceptions are permitted for students with a
disability who are approved in advance by Disability Resources and Services for note
taking or tape recording as an academic accommodation.
Intellectual Property Copyright 2014 Lori Catalano and Mark Naylor
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