LA 1201 is an introduction to the profession of landscape architecture and what landscape architects do. As professionals, landscape architects depend on informed clients to commission them to execute projects that meet their clients’ specifications. For your research project you will assume the role of a client in order to identify the landscape professional who you will choose to complete your project. The assignment is divided into four (4) manageable parts that must be completed in order. You must turn in a printed copy, using the Spring 2015 answer template found on Moodle as a framework for completing your research project.
PART 1. BIBLIOGRAPHY PAGE (3 PTS)
Refer to the list of landscape architecture projects given below. Choose three CATEGORIES in bold letters (Gardens; Public Parks, Residential Communities, etc.) that interest you for further investigation, then pick one example project from each category. Examples of each category are listed in bullets as points of departure for your explorations; feel free to explore other specific projects, within the given categories only.
Landscape Architecture Project Categories:
GARDENS
• Chinese – Humble Administrator’s Garden – Suzhou, China
• Japanese – Katsura Imperial Villa – Kyoto, Japan
• English – Stourhead – England
• Europe – Villa, Lante – Italy
• Dewey Donnell Garden – Sonoma, CA
• Longuevue Garden – New Orleans, LA
• Chicago Botanical Garden – Chicago, Il
PUBLIC PARKS
• Discovery Green – Houston, TX
• Prospect Park – Brooklyn, NY
• Brooklyn Bridge Park – Brooklyn, NY
• Freeway Park – Seattle, WA
• Teardrop Park-New York City
RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES
• Radburn, NJ
• Celebration – FL
• Riverside – Chicago, Illinois
• Mountain Brook – Birmingham, AL
• Chatham, Village- Pittsburgh, PA
ADAPTIVE USE
• High Line – New York City
• Promenade Plantee (Viaduc des Arts) – Paris
• Gas Works Park – Seattle, WA
• Duisburg Nord Industrial Landscape Park – Duisburg, Germany
• Queens Park West (Gantry Park)-New York City (Queens)
GREENWAYS AND PARKWAYS
• Blue Ridge Parkway – Virginia & North Carolina
• Emerald Necklace – Boston, MA
• Appalachian Trail – Maine to Georgia
• Minneapolis Park System – Minneapolis, MN
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
• Rosedown Plantation and Gardens – St. Francisville, LA
• Afton Villa – St. Francisville, LA
• Monticello – Charlottesville, VA
• Mt. Vernon – Alexandria, VA
• Magnolia Mound – Baton Rouge, LA
CAMPUS PLANNING
• Foothills Community College – Los Altos, CA
• Stanford University – Palo Alto, CA
• LSU (original plan) – Baton Rouge, LA
• University of Cincinnati – Cincinnati, OH
WATERFRONTS
• Charleston, SC
• Cincinnati, OH
• Chattanooga, TN
• Embarcadero Blvd. – San Francisco, CA
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PART 1 (CONTINUED)
Conduct research to learn as much as possible about your project choices. Search in the Library and on the Internet (but do not rely fully on the Internet; sometimes that information is not accurate). Do not include Wikipedia or unverified internet sources as a reference for academic research. Make notes from your research on each project type and examples you investigate.
Required DELIVERABLES: a bibliography that lists your three choices and the references you used from books, periodicals, and web addresses of information from the Internet about each project. You will have at least 9 total references in PART 1; use any standard bibliographic format.
(PART 1) Deliverables:
Three (3) selected project categories;
Three (3) project examples;
Bibliography with three (3) references per category
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PART 2. PRECEDENT RESEARCH SUMMARY (350 words: 10 PTS)
PRECEDENT: a previously built project that is regarded as an example or guide for your kind of “project.”
From your three (3) selections, choose the one project area you want to explore in greater detail. Use the research information you have found to write a summary (approximately 350 words) of what you found through your research and why you are interested in this particular precedent. Include the components of that precedent you feel are necessary for success: specific functions; spatial requirements; parking, and how people interact. This will be your description, and it will guide you in the next phase: choosing the best firm to do your “project”. Be clear, concise and thorough in describing this precedent.
(PART 2) Deliverables:
A summary (350 words) of the subject area that interests you; include the components needed to meet specific needs of that space.
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PART 3. PROGRAM SUMMARY (13 PTS)
After you become familiar with the subject of your research and develop the program for your proposed project, the next step is to identify and then “hire” one landscape architect to design your “project”. From the research on the chosen project you should have a good understanding about what your project will include. You will assume the role of a CLIENT: a decision-maker who will have to evaluate and hire a firm to design your proposed project. From your first phase research (PART 1 and PART 2 above), you should have a very clear idea about the needs of the type of project that you have chosen.
PART 3 Deliverables: This part is broken down into three (3) sections. Use the following format to structure both your research and your answers. The format must be exactly as shown in this outline. PART 3 continues onto the next page.
3.1. IDENTIFY (1 PT) Determine the role that you are playing as a client. You must indicate if you are an elected official; land owner; developer; board president, etc.
3.2. DESCRIBE (4 PTS) Explain what the site is like for your project. It may be real or imaginary:
• Where is it located?
• What are the existing conditions?
• Describe the inhabitants, if any.
• Who are the potential users of your project?
3.3. PROGRAM SUMMARY (bullet point format: 8 PTS)
Based on your precedent research from PART 2, you must develop a similar PROGRAM for your “site”. The program can be an outline or a plan specifying exactly what you require, and how you anticipate people interacting with your site. Your site can be a real one or one from your imagination. You will have to clearly indicate the key components and how this site must perform to meet the needs of people of designated ages, incomes, social conditions, physical conditions, etc. The program for your site is open to your own creativity. Remember, the civic social aspects of your project are very important. Your project is about creating a space to meet people’s needs and not about fixing deteriorated conditions, providing better maintenance or simply planting flowers to brighten a place up.
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PART 4. FINAL SUMMARY (32 PTS)
Next, search for the “right” firm for your project. Choose three (3) highly qualified firms that have the potential to do the work for your project. Where can you find information about potential landscape architectural firms? That is easy. Start at http://asla.org/ ; then click on “Firm Finder” on the ASLA web page. Scroll down to the right hand corner of the screen where it is located. Begin searching for firms that MUST BE outside of the State of Louisiana. Realize that some firms include various professions such as Landscape Architects, Architects, Engineers and Interior Designers. In those cases be sure to focus on the work and qualifications of the landscape architects in those firms. You must use the Firm Finder to locate the information.
For additional information, you may try to contact the firm by email or telephone. They might spare the time for a short interview. Do not hesitate to ask. Explain what you are doing. If you are unable to find sufficient information, choose another firm.
Warning: Do not judge firms by the quality, design, etc. of their web sites. Also, do not copy and paste from the web sites unless you provide proper citations for text and images. Plagiarism will result in a zero grade and potential disciplinary action. Always provide citations to show the source of all information and images.
From your analysis of the qualifications of all three firms, choose the best of the three and provide a very strong justification for the choice based upon your analysis. Provide specific evidence of the firm’s qualifications. The justification should include most of the information listed below. You may have to call or send email to the firm to obtain information that is not on the web page. If you cannot obtain good information, choose another firm.
PART 4 Deliverables: This part is broken down into three (3) sections. Use the following format to structure both your research and your answers. The format must be exactly as shown in this outline.
4.1. YOUR CHOSEN FIRM (10 PTS)
A. Provide a brief history of the firm. (Name, location, when was it founded, by whom, etc.)
B. Firm Principles and Partners
1. Names
2. Titles
3. Education
4. Certifications, Licenses, LEEDS, etc.
5. Professional Experience – type and how many years of each principal and partner.
C. List the project types that the firm has completed.
D. Choose one of their projects that best indicates the expertise needed for your kind of project. Describe its distinguishing characteristics that indicate that the firm is a good choice to work on your project. Be very thorough and precise.
E. Awards won by the firm, if any.
4.2. JUSTIFY (10 PTS) Defend your choice of a firm. Be very analytical and explain “why” that firm was chosen.
Think of yourself as being in court before a judge and jury. You will have to present solid evidence and great arguments to win your case. Choose one of their projects that best indicates the expertise needed for your kind of project. Describe its distinguishing characteristics that indicate that this firm is a good choice to work on your project. This does not mean that the example must be the same kind of project as yours. By studying the example and other examples of their work, explain what you see that would indicate their ability to do a great job for your project
PHOTOS (2 PTS) Include two or more images of example projects with captions below the image that explain the image. Use the photos to bolster your argument and further explain why the firm was chosen.
4.3. ALTERNATIVE FIRMS (10 PTS) Provide the following information for both of the two firms not selected. The answers must fit the format exactly as shown in the answer template.
A. Name of firm
B. Physical address
C. Web address
D. One or more of their projects that indicate the firm’s abilities to do a good job on your project. Explain why the example project(s) qualifies.
E. One example image of each of the two firms’ projects.
ADDITIONAL CITATIONS (2 PTS) Use the final page, as found in the answer template, as a space for additional citations. Include books, periodicals and journals used for any part of the research project.
TOTAL POINTS: 60 PTS
FORMAT REQUIREMENTS:
• 8 ½” x 11” paper format.
• Use the provided answer template found on Moodle to help structure your answers.
• All information including image from all sources must have citations.
• Direct quotes must be enclosed by quote marks and have citations.
• Plagiarism is a very serious offense that can result in a zero grade and disciplinary action.
• Carefully check your work for spelling errors and typos, correct grammar and sentence structure.
• Staple in the upper left corner.
• Do not put in a binder or other type of cover.
• Put your name and section number on the upper left corner of every page.
SUMMARY OF STEPS IN THE PROCESS:
• Conduct project category research.
• Conduct further precedent research.
• Develop the program for your project. What do you want a landscape architect to do for you?
• Determine the best firm (pick one of three actual firms) for your project and carefully and thoroughly explain the reasons for your choice.
• Provide the required information about the two firms that were not chosen, even though they were highly qualified to do the work.