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Technical University of Munich

Landscape Architecture - Theory and Criticism (AR72032)

- available in winter semester only -

Content: In the module "Landscape Architecture - Theory and Criticism", knowledge of complex design theories is taught and applied in short test designs using examples. After completing the module, students will be able to explain the conception and development of complex design theories. They will be able to apply these theories independently when analysing spatial systems as well as in landscape architectural design, depending on the problem, and adapt them to different planning tasks. The application of complex theories allows the conscious control and reflection of demanding analysis and design processes.

Structure: The module "Landscape Architecture - Theory and Criticism" (6 ECTS) consists of the lecture (3 ECTS) "Complex Theories of Landscape Architecture" and an accompanying seminar (3 ECTS) "Complex Theories in Design", which are only offered in the winter semester. Both module components must be completed in order to successfully complete module AR72032. The individual seminar tasks are issued at the end of each lecture and must be completed within one week. At the end of the lecture period, a full-day discussion workshop takes place as a final examination, based on the results of the seminars and the content of the lectures. Lecture notes (German/English) will be handed out in the lectures, which can also be downloaded as a PDF.

Examination: The module examination takes place in attendance accompanying the lecture in the form of individual, textually annotated short drafts (seminar) and as a joint discussion workshop (Fishbowl discussion) at the end of the lecture period.

Start: October 16,2024, 11:00 a.m. - Introduction via ZOOM only

Access: Master students of landscape architecture, urbanism and architecture
Registration: via TUMonline. Examination number: AR72032-1
Language: English
Time: 11 - 12:30am
Location: live on Wednesdays in room U1 (Emil-Ramann-Str.6 in Freising) and online via Moodle (video)
Info, updates and communikation: via Moodle

Lecturers (lecture): Prof. Dr Udo Weilacher and guests

Lecture program 2024/2025

  • Wednesday, Oct. 16/2024   Live introduction via ZOOM only (login data in Moodle)
  • Wednesday, Oct. 23/2024   Semiotics. Giving Landscape a Language (PDF)
  • Wednesday, Oct. 30/2024   no lecture (excursion)
  • Wednesday, Nov. 06/2024   Complexity (PDF)
  • Wednesday, Nov. 13/2024   Reading Ruins (PDF)
  • Wednesday, Nov. 20/2024   Structuralism (PDF)
  • Wednesday, Nov. 27/2024   Function as a Design Term (PDF)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 04/2024   Minimalism - the luxury of abstinence (PDF)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 11/2024   Atmosphere (PDF)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 18/2024   Alpine Industrial Landscapes (PDF)
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  • Wednesday, Jan. 08/2025   Transparency (PDF)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 15/2025   The Open and the Unfinished (PDF)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 22/2025   Theory of the Fold (PDF)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 29/2025   Actor-Network Theory
  • Wednesday, Feb. 05/2025   Evaluation and Preparation of the Workshop
  • Friday,         Feb. 14/2025   Final exam workshop - all day! (in presence only, from 9am - 6pm in Freising)

A short manuskript (keywords) will be handed out in each lecture. To open the manuscript in the download-version (PDF-File) you need a password. This will be announced in the lecture. If you should have any questions, please contact: skript.lat[at]ed.tum.de

Seminar 2024/2025

Seminar exercises (1.5 ECTS): Together with the lecture there will be 5 seminar exercises, out of which 3 have to be chosen and completed within the time of one week. The seminar exercises are graphical-visual draft designs which correspond to the contents dealt with in the respective lecture. They have to be explained in a short text. Following the handing-in of the results, each single exercise will be briefly acknowledged and evaluated. The evaluation criteria will be noted on the issued exercise sheets.
Amount of work: 45 working hours (1.5 ECTS) – 15 working hours per each single draft design.

Final presentation (1.5 ECTS): After the lecture period, one of the three draft designs has to be elaborated further (image and text) and will be presented live(!) at a given time. The aim is to show that you are able to apply and discuss by means of a design exercise the complex theories dealt with in the lecture. The final presentation is at the same time the module examination and it will be marked whilst taking into account the results from the separate exercises (module mark). The same criteria apply as in the three draft exercises. Additional criteria are the argumentative consistency, the comprehensiveness of the ideas and the quality of the final presentation.
Amount of work: 45 working hours (1.5 ECTS)

Amount of work alltogether 90 working hours (3 ECTS)
Feedback meetings: see TUMonline and Moodle
Coaching: Regina Wagner

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