1. Manchester School of Art
BA (Hons) Landscape Architecture
academic session: 2010‐11 MMU 1/NCF 4 session two
Unit: 14011602 Foundation Two: Garden Anachronisms
Workshop week 22
Materiality, Part 1: Elements of Space
Introduction
The purpose of this workshop is to identify and examine some of the basic structural elements of external
space. Students will develop an understanding of the role and function of these elements in determining
the character of the space and of the range of options available to the designer.
Knowledge
An understanding of the historical and contemporary concepts of garden as space and place
An introduction to the opportunities and constraints of spatial design in the urban environment
Skills
An ability to collect and analyse information and understand its role in the development of design ideas
To develop abilities in the generation of design ideas at a conceptual and practical level
Imaginative interpretation
Develop confidence in mixed media presentation
Communication of ideas as a visual story
Brief
This workshop concentrates on three of the primary elements in designing space:
 Surface
 Enclosure
 Levels
The aim is to develop an awareness of the huge range of options available to the landscape architect in
assessing possible solutions to these three key elements of spatial design and an understanding of the main
considerations involved in taking design decisions. To do this we will look at three public spaces in the city
centre and discuss some of the reasons for the design decisions taken in each case as well as some of the
issues these raise for the success of the space. As part of this exercise students will be required to identify
examples of the categories outlined below under each general heading and assess its role and effectiveness
by starting to fill in the spreadsheets provided. These will have to be completed by students independently
as part of the final submission.
Submission
A section of your overall bound A3 document (see Data Sets under general brief), containing two sheets for
each main category (Surface, Enclosure, Levels). These sheets should be based on the spreadsheets which
we will start to fill in during the workshop, but illustrated through photography and supported where
appropriate by drawings to highlight scale, changes in level, edges, relationships to other elements, etc.
Each example should be annotated to describe the character and quality of the materials, relationships to
other elements, reasons for the choice and your view on the suitability/success in the context of the design.
These examples should be taken from the places visited during the workshop and complemented by others
in and around Manchester from direct observation (not surfing the internet!). The sheets should illustrate a
broad contrast of materials and approaches under each broad heading. This work is for submission with
your final portfolio for the session in May 2011.