Greenfield Community College
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Certificate Program (RE/EE)
SCI 125 - Sustainable Landscape Design and Energy, 3 credits
Spring 2010
Instructor: Thomas S. Benjamin, RLA, LEED-AP
Email: BenjaminT@gcc.mass.edu
Course Meeting Times & Dates:
Wednesday Evenings, 6:00-8:50 PM, 1/27/10-5/5/10
Room: S446B
Saturday Field Trip, 9:00 AM – 1 PM, 4/24/10
Off campus: 189 Pleasant Street, Easthampton
No Class Weds. 3/17 or Weds. 4/14
Weather-related Cancellations call: GCC Weather Advisory/Storm Line, (413) 775-1010
Course Description:
An exploration into the fundamentals of landscape design, with particular focused on integrating both existing and new
buildings sustainably into their landscapes. Students investigate sustainable design strategies that address the
ecological, water, energy and food system links between buildings and their supporting sites, as exemplified by the LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. Topics include geology, hydrology, soils, vegetation,
design principles, green roofs, green walls, rainwater collection systems, native planting, edible landscapes, and the
human dimension of landscape architecture. Community level design/planning considerations for changing times will
also be explored.
Course Objectives:

Gain understanding of sustainable landscape design principles and practices including natural and human factors

Relate sustainable landscape/site design to energy issues and the built environment

Promote understanding of, and hone communication skills related to, professional -client relations

Gain hands on experience preparing a sustainable landscape plan or plan set
Course Structure:

Required Readings from textbook

Discussions during class time, including discussions of the reading at the beginning of each class

Student Briefings of short duration intended to hone communication and marketing skills

Studio Session related to Final Design Project to build understanding of design process and tools

Quizzes periodically through semester

Videos and Web Media may be shown in class or assigned

Saturday Field Trip (4/24) to site(s) incorporating sustainable landscape design principles and/or Earth Day (40th
Anniversary) events

Final Student Design Project/Report of a very focused nature for a very small site. Projects must include foodproducing and waste reduction aspects. Also incorporate reused and/or recycled materials where possible.
Grading:
Class Attendance and Participation = 50%
(Attendance for guest lectures and site visit expected! We will discuss readings at start of every class!)
Student Briefing = 10%
Quizzes = 20% (open book, open notes)
Final Student Project/Report = 20%
Attendance Policy: Please arrive on time, alert and prepared for class. Class participation comprises the most
important learning component of the class. Please let me know ahead of time via email if you expect to be late for or
missing class (excepting emergencies, of course). You will be allowed a maximum of two absences. Additional absences
beyond two will require additional work at the Instructor’s discretion.
Class Session Content:
Textbook:
Thompson, J. William, and Sorvig, Kim, Sustainable Landscape Construction, Island Press, 2008.
(Weekly readings expected, thorough perusal acceptable)
Book on Reserve (1 copy):
Brown, Robert D., and Gillespie, Terry J., Microclimatic Landscape Design: Creating Thermal Comfort and Energy
Efficiency, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1995.
(Thorough perusal of entire book at sometime during the first half of semester acceptable –
Hint: Content will be covered on quiz shortly after Spring Break)
1st Class – Weds. 1/27 – Introductions, Syllabus, Visualization Exercise, Landscape-Energy Connections
Reading assignment for next session: Preface, Introduction and Principle I: Keep Healthy Sites Healthy
2nd Class – Weds. 2/3 – What is Landscape Design? Conventional vs. Sustainable Landscape Design. Introduction to the
Design Process: Observation, Site Analysis and Design Stages – Maintenance based Design
Reading assignment for next session: Principle 2: Heal Injured Sites and Principle 10: Maintain to Sustain
3rd Class – Weds. 2/10 – Guest Presenter: Jono Neiger, Ecologist/Designer/Educator: Regenerative Design & Conway
School of Design – Introduction to Permaculture
Reading assignment for next session: Principle 3: Favor Living, Flexible Materials
4th Class – Weds. 2/17 – Natural Factors in Landscape Design: Geology, Soils, Hydrology, Topography, Microclimate and
Vegetation
Reading assignment for next session: Principle 4: Respect the Waters of Life
5th Class – Weds, 2/24 – Student Briefings – Give a five minute discussion or presentation on topic related to sustainable
landscape design and energy and/or their term project. Students are encouraged to include graphic component
(e.g. poster, photos, pictures, powerpoint shows). Be concise and to the point! Summarize what you’ve
learned. Sell an idea as if the class were your client! Remember, most people have short attention spans.
Human Factors in Landscape Design: History, Use, Location, Scale, Program and Budget
Reading assignment for next class: Principle 5: Pave Less
6th Class – Weds. 3/3 – Guest Presenter: Michael Keney, Landscape Contractor: Treefrog Landscapes – The Business of
Sustainable Landscape Design
Topographical Design and Water Management – Earthwork/Grading & Drainage, Watersheds and Wetlands,
Stormwater and Low Impact Design (LID) Features
Reading Assignment for next week: Principle 6: Consider Origin and Fate of Materials
7th Class – Weds. 3/10 – Planting Design and Landscape Plants
Reading assignment for next class: Principle 7: Know the Costs of Energy over Time; also complete perusal of
Microclimatic Landscape Design over Spring Break
Week of 3/17 – NO CLASS, Spring Break – Have a very GREEN St. Patty’s Day!
8th Class – Weds. 3/24 – Guest Presenter: Jennifer Fish, Director, Service Forestry Program:
Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) – Sustainable Forestry Practices
Quiz #1!!
Planting Design and Landscape Plants, continued. Invasive species management.
Reading Assignment for next week: Principle 8: Celebrate Light, Respect Darkness; and
Principle 9: Quietly Defend Silence
9th Class – Weds. 3/31 – Guest Presenter: Tina Clarke, Planning Consultant/Trainer: Transition Towns
Assignment for next week: Written description and graphic concept for student design project. Site photos
encouraged! Studio next week.
No Reading Assignment this week.
10th Class – Weds. 4/7 –Studio Night and Graphics Discussion. Communicating Design Ideas. Come prepared to talk
about and work on your design projects. FINAL PROJECTS DUE 5/5!
Reading Assignment for next week: Conclusions and Beginnings
Continue working on your projects at home.
Week of 4/14 – NO CLASS – Good Luck with your TAXES!
11th Class – Weds. 4/21 – Earth Day at 40. Sustainability Rating Systems: LEED, Green Globes, Sustainable Sites
Initiative. Food Systems. Green Roofs and Green Walls. Progress reports on student projects.
12th Class – SATURDAY FIELD TRIP, 4/24 – 189 Pleasant Street, Easthampton, Presented by Sean Jeffords, Founder:
Beyond Green Construction. Integrated sustainable design at residential scale.
Students will also be responsible for either attending one Earth Day event and/or visiting a sustainably
landscaped or managed site. Report back next class as part of class participation.
13th Class – Weds. 4/28 – Students report back on site visits. Food Systems, con’t . Broader Energy and Environmental
Issues related to landscape design: Solid Waste/Landfills, Soil Reclamation/Biochar. Update on progress on
student projects.
Quiz #2 !!
14th Class – Weds. 5/5 – Final Class! Final Student Projects/Presentations – 10 mins each. Course wrap-up. Evaluations.