97466 - Digital represention of the Landscape Project

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will understand the theoretical foundations and operational tools for using digital technologies to support the representation of green space and landscape design. Specifically, students will acquire basic knowledge of computer science applied to digital graphic representation, as well as the methodologies and tools necessary for its use in the visual representation of open space design projects. In particular, students will be able to:

• Use software applications to manage various graphic file formats;

• Use CAD-type software tools;

• Represent landscapes and open space designs by managing and processing drawings and layout sheets using appropriate applications.

Course contents

The course aims to provide students with both critical and cultural tools and theoretical foundations related to the field of landscape representation, as well as practical skills for using digital tools in support of landscape survey/design representation. The course also fosters informed decision-making in the use of digital graphics for project control, communication, and presentation.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired the cultural, methodological, and technical skills needed to access, navigate, and manage the basics of digital graphic representation. They will also develop communicative and organizational tools to effectively present graphical materials, supporting their future professional autonomy.
Specifically, students will acquire fundamental knowledge of computer-based digital graphics, along with methodologies and tools for representing surveys/designs of open spaces. They will be able to:

• Organize and manage the digital graphic rendering of survey data and any design elements through coherent and professionally effective presentations;

• Use software to manage various graphic formats, particularly AutoCAD and basic image editing tools;

• Represent landscape design projects by managing and producing drawings and layout sheets with appropriate graphic applications.

Teaching Unit 1. Theoretical Content: General Culture on Digital Representation

Expected Learning Outcomes:
Students will understand the structure and functions of the main software used in digital project design, with particular focus on applications for open space representation. They will develop awareness and practical knowledge in organizing survey/design layouts, digitally representing entire projects, and appreciating the relevance and potential of digital representation—including a retrospective understanding of the evolution of graphic software tools.

Main Topics:

• Computer graphics: raster and vector graphics;

• Overview of software for project representation used throughout the course;

• Existing condition analysis and photographic documentation;

• The role of digital representation in landscape design.

Teaching Unit 2. Theoretical Content: Vision, Perception, and Landscape Survey

Expected Learning Outcomes:
Considering representation as a language and site interpretation as a form of knowledge, students will learn the conceptual and technical principles of environmental perception and its graphical transposition. Emphasis will be placed on survey/design representation in urban, rural, and landscape contexts. Students will become aware of visual perception as both an environmental and cultural/aesthetic learning process. They will begin to perceive landscape signs and develop the foundations of visual and graphic thinking, initiating the morphologic and conceptual reading of the site and its digital iconographic translation.

Main Topics:

• Methods and techniques for landscape survey and representation;

• Drawing tools: from sketching to digital drawing;

• Digital graphic techniques for surveying;

• Scale variation in landscape project representation;

• Techniques for representing vegetation in landscape design.

Teaching Unit 3. Practical Content: AutoCAD Software

Expected Learning Outcomes:
Students will become familiar with the AutoCAD interface and deepen their knowledge of its main tools and commands for appropriate use in landscape design.

Main Topics:

• AutoCAD interface: main toolbars and their functions, drawing units;

• Layer management, line types, Properties panel;

• Object snap, object editing via grips;

• Texts and dimensions;

• Blocks: creation and modification;

• Image insertion and management;

• Print layout management and sheet setup.

Teaching Unit 4. Logical Organization of Sheets and Image Libraries

Expected Learning Outcomes:
Through proper use of 2D drawing tools, students will learn how to logically structure and sequence layout sheets for effective project representation. They will also understand the value of building and maintaining a graphic library—an essential resource for any design professional.

Main Topics:

• Layout sheet structure and organization: pagination, layout, sequence, headers;

• Organization and management of graphic libraries for landscape project representation.

Teaching Unit 5. Practical Content: Computer-Aided Drawing

Expected Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to use digital tools to create graphic and photographic materials for representing landscape projects. They will also be able to translate their understanding of a site into visual form, logically organize layout structures, and sequence the sheets for clear and effective project communication.

Main Topics:

• Digital drawing of a survey and related project;

• Final layout and sequencing of sheets;

• Preparation of print files.

Readings/Bibliography

Essential readings on the topics of representation (books and journals available at the Vespignani Complex Library):

• Hutchison E., Drawing for Landscape Architecture, Thames & Hudson, NY 2011

• Wilk S., Construction and Design Manual. Drawing for Landscape Architects, DOM Publishers, Berlin 2014

• Pasquali M. (ed.), Archipel: l’arte di fare giardini, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 2008 (especially the chapter on "Drawing")

Additionally, the following articles will be made available to students at the beginning of the course through the “Virtuale” platform and are considered essential:

• “Speaking about Drawing. An exploration of representation in recent landscape architecture” by S. Noel van Dooren, in TOPOS 80/2012, pp. 43–54

• “The Critical Visual Landscape,” Thinking Eye section, in JoLA, 3/2015, pp. 38–51

Course lecture notes (handouts) will also be considered essential for exam preparation. Any further references will be provided during the course based on the specific topics covered.

Teaching methods

The course introduces the fundamental concepts of digital drawing and graphics, with specific focus on their application to gardens, landscapes, and open spaces. Since this course follows the CAD Drawing course, it assumes students already have basic skills in digital drawing and thus provides an advanced study of AutoCAD.

Through an integrated approach combining software architecture, interface and command use, and real-world applications, the course blends theoretical content (Units 1 and 2) with practical components (Units 3 and 4).
Classroom activities alternate between theoretical lectures (on representation in general and AutoCAD specifically) and practical design workshops. A full schedule—including lectures, workshops, and public reviews—is shared during the first class. Public reviews serve as collective learning opportunities for the entire class.

Working or non-attending students must contact the instructor at the beginning of the course.

Assessment methods

The knowledge and skills of this teaching are assessed in the following way. During the final exam, the knowledge and skills acquired on each of the two modules are assessed.

The learning evaluation of the contents of course involves an oral exam in which the teachers will evaluate:

• the final documents (design and report produced under the supervision of the teachers);
• their defense;
• knowledge and preparation achieved on the theoretical part through specific questions.

The overall assessment is made by the Commission taking into account:

• for the theoretical part: the knowledge and skill level achieved by the student on the contents of all the teaching units;
• for the graphic documents: the contents, clarity, consistency, and graphical quality.

Marks are expressed as a score out of 30.

To pass the exam the student has to show to have acquired sufficient knowledge on the course contents. To achieve the honors, an autonomous and competent capability to deal with in-depth analysis on the discussed subjects is required.

Missing the theoretical lectures or exercises does not preclude passing the exam: those who cannot attend must contact the teacher to contact a replacement activity.

Examination dates, times and locations are published on the degree course website. Subscription to exams through the AlmaEsami web application.

Teaching tools

PC and projector for lectures

Students may work on their own laptops (with AutoCAD installed) or use classroom computers

Computer lab equipped with appropriate software for hands-on exercises

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Barbaresi