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2.11. Landscape Architecture (LAN)
Landscape Architecture addresses the design of exterior space as a discipline that integrates ecology, hydrology, horticulture, landform, and human use. It covers landscape design principles, planting design, grading and drainage, landscape materials, green infrastructure, climate-responsive landscape, and ecological restoration. Students learn to shape the land in ways that are ecologically sound, socially engaging, and aesthetically rich.
2.11.1. LAN/Landscape Design Principles and Process (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Covers the foundational principles of landscape design: site analysis, circulation and spatial organization, view analysis, and the design process from concept to construction documentation.
Topics:
Core
- Site analysis for landscape: topography (slope, aspect), soils (texture, drainage, fertility), hydrology (surface flow, groundwater, flood zones), vegetation, microclimate (sun
- Spatial organization in landscape design: rooms (outdoor rooms), edges (soft vs. hard), sequence (entry, discovery, culmination), focal points (gazebo, sculpture, specimen tree)
- Circulation in landscape: primary (vehicular, bike), secondary (pedestrian), service (maintenance), accessible routes (ADA gradients, surface firmness),
- Landscape architectural drawing: site plans, grading plans, planting plans, irrigation plans, construction details (walls, paving, water features),
- View analysis and visual impact: key views (from building, from approach), framed views, borrowed views, screening of undesirable views, and the use of massing
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Describe the elements of landscape site analysis and the spatial organization principles of outdoor rooms, edges, and circulation [Familiarity]
- Produce a landscape design concept for a small site, integrating site analysis data into a spatial layout with defined outdoor rooms, circulation, and focal points [Usage]
- Evaluate a landscape design for its responsiveness to site conditions (topography, hydrology, vegetation) and user needs, identifying strengths and weaknesses in circulation [Assessment]
2.11.2. LAN/Plants, Ecology, and Ecosystem Services (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Covers the ecological foundations of landscape design: plant selection, plant communities, ecosystem services, and the design of resilient, low-input planting that supports biodiversity and climate adaptation.
Topics:
Core
- Plant selection criteria: hardiness zone, soil pH and drainage, light requirements, mature size, growth rate, maintenance needs,
- Plant community design: succession (pioneer to climax), layered planting (canopy, understory, shrub, herbaceous, groundcover), native vs.
- Ecosystem services from designed landscapes: stormwater infiltration (green infrastructure), air temperature reduction (shade, evapotranspiration), carbon sequestration
- Green roofs and living walls: extensive vs. intensive green roofs, substrate depth, plant selection (sedum, grasses, wildflowers), irrigation, structural loading,
- Water-wise planting: xeriscaping principles (hydrozoning, low-water plants, efficient irrigation), drought-tolerant species selection, rain gardens,
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Describe the criteria for plant selection in designed landscapes and explain the principles of plant community design, including layering, succession, and native vs [Familiarity]
- Design a planting plan for a site that integrates native plant communities, provides ecosystem services (stormwater, habitat, cooling), and meets aesthetic and maintenance goals [Usage]
- Evaluate a landscape planting plan for ecological performance, including plant diversity, water demand, invasive species risk, and potential to support local pollinators [Assessment]
2.11.3. LAN/Landform, Hydrology, and Grading (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Covers the manipulation of landform for drainage, accessibility, and site aesthetics: grading design, stormwater management, erosion control, and the relationship between landform and hydrology.
Topics:
Core
- Grading design principles: spot elevations, contours, slopes (minimum 1-2% for surface drainage, accessible max 1:12 ramp, 2:1 vegetated slope), cut-and-fill balancing,
- Stormwater management in landscape: runoff calculation (rational method, time of concentration), infiltration basins, rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement (porous asphalt
- Erosion and sediment control: silt fences, erosion control blankets, check dams, temporary seeding, and the design of slopes to prevent rill and gully erosion during
- Landform design: using grading to create outdoor rooms, enhance views, provide wind breaks, collect sun, and reduce noise
- Retention and detention basins: wet ponds (retention) for water quality, dry detention basins for peak flow attenuation, forebays for sediment capture,
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Describe the principles of grading design - slopes, cut and fill, and surface drainage - and explain how landscape grading manages stormwater through swales, basins, [Familiarity]
- Produce a grading and drainage plan for a site, including contour modifications, stormwater management features (bioswale, rain garden), and erosion control measures [Usage]
- Evaluate a site grading and drainage design for its effectiveness in managing stormwater runoff, preventing erosion, and meeting accessibility slope requirements [Assessment]
2.11.4. LAN/Landscape Materials and Construction (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Covers the materials used in landscape construction: paving, walls, fences, decks, and edging; material selection for durability, aesthetics, permeability, and sustainability.
Topics:
Core
- Paving materials for hardscape: concrete (poured-in-place, pavers, permeable), natural stone (granite, limestone, sandstone), brick, gravel, decomposed granite,
- Retaining wall systems: gravity walls (stone, segmental block), cantilever (reinforced concrete), crib walls, gabion walls, and reinforced soil (geogrid)
- Wood materials in landscape: pressure-treated pine, cedar, redwood, Ipe, and composite lumber (WPC); durability (ground contact rating), rot resistance, fastener selection,
- Edging and site furniture: metal edging (aluminum, steel), plastic, concrete curb, and flexible composite
- Sustainable hardscape materials: recycled content pavers (glass, slag), pervious concrete, reclaimed granite setts, and low-embodied carbon options
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Describe the principal landscape construction materials for paving, retaining walls, wood structures, and site furniture, [Familiarity]
- Select and detail a landscape paving and retaining wall system for a specific site, specifying materials, base preparation, drainage, and edge restraints [Usage]
- Evaluate a hardscape specification for material sustainability, permeability, durability in the local climate, [Assessment]
2.11.5. LAN/Urban Landscape and Green Infrastructure (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Covers the integration of landscape and urban systems: green roofs, rain gardens, urban forests, and the design of green infrastructure for stormwater management, heat mitigation, and habitat connectivity.
Topics:
Core
- Green infrastructure types at urban scale: green roofs (extensive, intensive, biodiverse), rain gardens, bioswales, permeable alleys, street tree trenches, constructed wetlands
- Urban forestry: street tree species selection (structural integrity, salt tolerance, root behavior), spacing and placement for shade
- Water-sensitive urban design: integrating stormwater management with landscape aesthetics, water reuse for irrigation,
- Urban heat island mitigation via landscape: cool pavements (high albedo), shading from street trees and green structures, evapotranspirative cooling from green roofs
- Green networks and ecological corridors: connecting parks and open spaces for wildlife movement, integrating greenways along waterways,
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Describe the types of green infrastructure used in urban landscapes - green roofs, rain gardens, bioswales, tree trenches - [Familiarity]
- Design a green infrastructure intervention for an urban site (plaza, street, rooftop) that manages a specified stormwater volume, reduces surface temperature, and provides amenity [Usage]
- Evaluate the performance of an existing green infrastructure installation against design goals (stormwater capture, plant survival, user acceptance) [Assessment]
2.11.6. LAN/Climate-Responsive Landscape Design (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Covers the design of outdoor spaces that respond to local climate conditions: wind mitigation, solar shading, thermal comfort in urban canyons, and the use of landscape to create comfortable microclimates.
Topics:
Core
- Microclimate factors in landscape design: solar radiation (orientation, shading), wind speed and direction (prevailing winds, gusty zones), humidity
- Outdoor thermal comfort indices (PET, UTCI), the role of shade (tree canopy, structures) in reducing mean radiant temperature,
- Wind mitigation in landscape: windbreaks (shelterbelts of trees or shrubs), porous fences, the placement of seating and gathering areas in leeward zones,
- Shading design for landscapes: tree placement to shade buildings (winter solar gain vs. summer shading), shading of outdoor seating areas (pergolas, sail shades, umbrellas),
- Seasonal landscape design: winter sun access to windows and seating, summer shading of paved areas, spring and fall wind protection,
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Describe the microclimate factors that affect outdoor thermal comfort and explain how landscape elements - shade, windbreaks, water - can modify them [Familiarity]
- Design an outdoor seating or gathering space that uses trees, structures, and water features to achieve thermal comfort in a given climate (hot-dry, hot-humid, or temperate) [Usage]
- Evaluate a landscape design for climate responsiveness, identifying zones of thermal discomfort (glare, wind, excessive sun) and proposing planting or structural modifications [Assessment]
2.11.7. LAN/Ecological Restoration and Nature-Based Solutions ↑ Back to top
Covers the restoration of degraded landscapes: ecological restoration principles, native species reintroduction, soil remediation, and nature-based solutions for erosion, water quality, and carbon capture.
Topics:
Non Core
- Ecological restoration principles (SER International Standards): reference ecosystem, species composition, structure, function, connectivity, and resilience; passive vs.
- Soil remediation for degraded land: physical (grading, decompaction), chemical (pH adjustment, nutrient addition), biological (mycorrhizal inoculation, compost incorporation),
- Nature-based solutions (NBS) for landscape: constructed wetlands for water treatment, vegetative sand dunes for coastal protection, urban forest for air pollution mitigation,
- Revegetation for restoration: selecting native species adapted to site conditions (wetland, riparian, upland, coastal), seed mixes, planting densities,
- Mine and quarry restoration: regrading of spoil piles, topsoil re-spreading, acid mine drainage treatment (constructed wetlands, lime dosing), and the design of pit lakes
Learning Outcomes:
NonCore:
- Describe the principles of ecological restoration and the role of nature-based solutions in addressing erosion, water quality, and carbon capture [Familiarity]
- Develop a restoration plan for a degraded site (former industrial, mined, or agricultural), including soil remediation, species selection, and monitoring protocol [Usage]
- Evaluate a completed restoration project against SER standards, assessing its success in re-establishing reference ecosystem structure, function, and native species composition [Assessment]
2.11.8. LAN/Landscape at Regional and Territorial Scale ↑ Back to top
Covers the planning and design of landscape at larger scales: watershed, bioregion, metropolitan area, and megaregion; ecological corridors, green infrastructure networks, and landscape-based planning for climate adaptation.
Topics:
Elective
- Watershed-based landscape planning: hydrologic modeling, riparian buffers, floodplain restoration, and the coordination of land use regulations to protect water quality
- Ecological corridors at regional scale: identifying core habitat patches and connectivity corridors (least-cost path analysis), planning wildlife crossings (overpasses
- Metropolitan green infrastructure: regional park networks, greenways along waterways and rail lines, metropolitan open space plans,
- Bioregional planning: using ecoregions as planning units, integrating agriculture, forestry, and urban development,
- Landscape-based climate adaptation at territorial scale: managing forest fire regimes, planning for sea level rise (managed retreat, dune restoration),
Learning Outcomes:
Elective:
- Describe the landscape planning scales - watershed, bioregion, metropolitan - and the types of green infrastructure (corridors, buffers, networks) used at each scale [Familiarity]
- Develop a landscape planning recommendation for a regional-scale issue (wildlife connectivity, flood risk, urban heat) using GIS-based corridor analysis or suitability mapping [Usage]
- Evaluate a regional landscape plan for its ecological connectivity, climate resilience, and coordination with land use regulations [Assessment]