Foundation Studio I

Abstract

the course introduces students to living systems and dynamic landscape processes through rule-based design and system thinking. With an emphasis on reading a site and translating scientific information through drawing, we will teach students to identify the "genius loci" and to design a landscape artifact, as an answer to biotic and abiotic factors and their relational potentials.

Objective

This design studio builds on a series of precise exercises that translate and synthesize the site reading and scientific information learned in the l fundamental module courses required by the MScLA program. Through these exercises, students acquire essential analytical and methodological skills to support design in the field of Landscape Architecture. Drawing from an understanding of systems, constrains and potentials, students will learn to design with landscape practices aiming to support soil systems and biological complexity. By identifying and designing with key parameters of these practices on site, students learn to design evolving systems that respond to situated potentials.

Content

Foundation Studio I in the autumn semester 2026 is located at the island of Syros in Greece. Throughout the semester students will learn to read the man-made systems of the island, and identify its plant comunity, and climatic extrems. they will translate the particular conditions of several selected sites of extraction, rigorously drawing local climatic, geologic, hydrological, pedological and vegetative processes, and situating these systems in a larger context. Working with this method of translation, students make design proposals that respond to the unique material and ecological potentials the island. Course desk crits, pin-ups, site visits and reviews are generally scheduled in the afternoon, and are linked to the content covered in the lectures and other theoretical inputs from the morning fundamental course. A 10 day site visit will take place durign the seminar week.

Resources