ABB248 Landscape Materiality and Constructs
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | ABB248 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | ABB247 or DLB201 |
| Equivalent(s): | DLB302 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $5,436 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ABB248 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | ABB247 or DLB201 |
| Equivalent: | DLB302 |
| Coordinator: | Dan Nyandega | daniel.nyandega@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This second-year landscape technology unit builds on your introduction to the principles and processes of landscape construction, introducing landscape structural theories, material properties, design and construction techniques, principles and processes, and the legislative environment governing landscape construction. You will critically evaluate, explore and apply appropriate sustainable materials and construction techniques to landscape systems and communicate a detailed landscape design proposition using industry-standard communication conventions. The knowledge and skills gained in this unit will inform your work in the advanced design unit, Design and Document.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Understand, research and apply theoretical, practical and technical knowledge and skills in landscape construction design and implementation.
- Plan, develop and complete detailed design of a landscape construct.
- Effectively communicate the detailed design of a landscape construct using industry-standard documentation conventions.
- Critically identify and employ sustainable technical landscape construction principles and processes, including structural theories, materials, construction techniques and processes
Content
The major topics covered in this unit will include:
- structural forces: the principles of physical actions and interactions on structures
- landscape structures: basic structural theory for the design of landscape structures that resist forces
- landscape construction elements including landform structures, small scale structures, circulation, planting, irrigation and drainage, water features, landscape furniture and urban infrastructure
- landscape construction techniques and tectonics
- prototyping, fabrication and experimentation with materials
- landscape construction material properties (physical, psychological, cultural) including earth, stone, timber, concrete, masonry, steel, water, horticultural soils, plant materials and new innovative materials
- sustainable practice: principles and processes for designing sustainable landscape elements and structures
- professional practice: principles and processes of i) implementation strategies, ii), using industry-standard conventions for communicating works in construction documentation, iii) quantity and cost forecasting, and iv) the scope of contract documentation
- statutory requirements: Australian Standards and Australian Building Code
Learning Approaches
This unit engages you in your learning through:
- Individual and team based learning via in-class practical studio exercises including model making and fieldwork.
- Formal lecture content exploring landscape structural theories, landscape materials, construction techniques and principles and processes, and the legislative environment governing landscape construction;
- Individual learning through the design, development, completion and communication of the detailed design of a landscape construct using industry-standard documentation conventions.
- Assessment tasks, lectures, class activities and homework tasks are designed to progressively build your
understanding and application of landscape technology and construction principles and processes.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback will be provided by:
- In class, formative feedback to evaluate work in progress of set exercises in the form of verbal feedback from peers and academic staff
- Summative review of submitted assessments in the form of verbal or written feedback from academic staff and criteria-referenced assessment rubrics.
Assessment
Overview
This unit includes two assessments. These have been designed to enable you to first understand aspects of landscape structural theories, materials and processes through fieldwork and a research seminar. You will critically evaluate, select and apply appropriate materials and construction techniques to a detailed landscape design. You will then communicate the detailed landscape design proposition using industry-standard communication conventions and documentation set to demonstrate your design and technical understanding of landscape structures, materials and construction techniques.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project 1 : Fieldwork and Research Seminar
In class, you will work in small groups to undertake fieldwork and research aspects of landscape structural theories, materials, construction techniques and processes and make a visual and verbal presentation to the class, as well as a visual and written document. You will individually research and undertake a small-scale design of a landscape construct, experimenting with materials and construction techniques and communicate a proposal for the detailed design of the landscape construct. Both pieces of work will be submitted in a portfolio for project 1.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Project 2 : Detailed Design
Supported by in-class activities, you will work individually apply learnings from Project 1; structural forces, materials, construction techniques and processes to produce a landscape architecture specific industry-standard, construction documentation set and modelling (analogue and digital fabrication) for a selected landscape design developed in a design studio.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students and staff are required to complete the General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.
Costs
You should allow up to $150.00 for model making materials and printing costs
Resources
Required and recommended readings and resources will be identified on Canvas prior to and during the semester.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Astrid Zimmermann (2015), Constructing Landscape: Materials, Structural Components, Birkhauser, 3rd Edition.
G.S.Thomas, Ryan Michael (1999)Landscape Construction Notes, Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Melbourne.
Sorvig, Kim and Thompson William(2018), Sustainable Landscape Construction: Third edition: A guide to Green Building Outdoors, Island Press.
Risk Assessment Statement
All commencing Faculty of Engineering students are required to complete the mandatory Safety Induction.
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.
The unit may require students to participate in field trips, both of a self-guided nature and sometimes organised trips overseen by staff. A risk assessment for the former has identified only low impact risks. A risk assessment will be conducted before any organised field trips. The students and staff will be provided with relevant safety guidelines before any field trip and be required to obey all these and directions given while attending field trips.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.AB01 Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)
- Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines and specialist knowledge and skills in one built environment area.
Relates to: Project 1 : Fieldwork and Research Seminar, Project 2 : Detailed Design - Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
Relates to: Project 1 : Fieldwork and Research Seminar, Project 2 : Detailed Design - Communicate knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
Relates to: Project 1 : Fieldwork and Research Seminar, Project 2 : Detailed Design - Plan, develop and complete research and other projects.
Relates to: Project 1 : Fieldwork and Research Seminar, Project 2 : Detailed Design