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052-0739-00L 2 Credits MSC D-ARCH

Slow Water: Exploring Keyline Designs in Switzerland

Lecturers & Examiners: Stefan Breit
For MSc Landscape Architecture only!
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:31:17

Abstract

In this seminar, students will explore landscape-based approaches for climate resilience. We focus our investigation on keyline design, a practice of slowing down and distributing water across the landscape. Over the course of the semester, students will develop real-world design ideas for keyline systems on agricultural land in the Jurapark Aargau that combine aspects of water, soil, vegetation,

Objective

Students will critically examine traditional and pioneering approaches of landscape regeneration. This will enable them to develop an understanding of designing living systems involving water, soil, animals, vegetation, and land cultivation. Students will learn to design keyline systems and to embed their design ideas into the context of real farms in the Jurapark Aargau, working with various local stakeholders and respecting their needs.

Content

The objective of the seminar is to explore the design of keyline systems for agricultural land in the Jurapark Aargau. Through presentations, discussions, workshops and excursions, students will co-develop design ideas together with local stakeholders, such as the people who own and cultivate the land. By being part of this real-world case study, students will explore potentials and limitations of designing so-called "regenerated landscapes" in Switzerland.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Registration & Places

Priority: Registration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
seminar Slow Water: Exploring Keyline Designs in Switzerland
The course will not take place on October 23, 2025 (Seminar Week) and in the last two weeks of the semester.
  • Thu 15:45-17:30 (HIT H 51)
2 h weekly

Offered In

  • Landschaftsarchitektur Master
    • Kernfächer (Die Kernfächer bauen auf den Grundlagenfächern auf und vermitteln grundlegendes, breites Wissen in den Kernbereichen der Landschaftsarchitektur in Relation zum Entwurfsunterricht. Die Kernfächer sind teils obligatorisch zu absolvieren, teils frei wählbar. Weitere Einzelheiten, namentlich über das Belegen dieser Fächer, für die Leistungskontrollen und zur Kompensation nicht bestandener Fächer, sind in Art. 27 und Art. 31 Abs. 4 geregelt.)