Landscape Architecture
Kristian Kelley
William Heywood
About this opportunity
The Landscape Architecture BSLA program at The Design School is an accredited undergraduate professional degree that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a professional landscape architect. The program leverages the Phoenix metro area as a learning laboratory and offers students the opportunity to engage with the community in applied projects that focus on designing socially and environmentally sustainable outdoor environments in order to improve the ecological and social health of the urban environment.
Undergraduate landscape architecture projects can range from large-scale work encompassing urban design, landscape restoration, open space preservation planning, community planning and landscape ecological design to projects at the more intimate scale of a neighborhood park or residential backyard. Emerging areas of focus include creative placemaking; environmental equity, green roofs and living walls; restorative environments; sustainable design; and urban climate design.
Graduates have the qualifications to sit for the Landscape Architect in Training examination, which leads to registration as a professional landscape architect.
The Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board.
Thesis
In Landscape Architecture you have two options for honors thesis project.
For both options, you begin by exploring ideas for your thesis project in LAP 492: Honors Directed Study that you take during the Fall semester of your Senior Year with the Landscape Architecture (LA) Honors Advisor. The Landscape Architecture Honors Advisor will guide you in developing a thesis topic and preparing for the Spring semester. During the Fall, you can conduct preliminary research, such as a literature review and/or expert interviews, on your chosen topic, in consultation with the Landscape Architecture Honors Advisor, you then determine which of the following two options is best-suited for you:
- LDE 462 Studio with an honor enrichment contract or T
- LAP 493 Independent Honors Thesis Project
Academic Preparation
We offer an integrated curriculum of professional courses and focus on the design laboratory. Through scholarship, research, design and community service, students develop the discipline and the knowledge necessary to address the important environmental and design issues faced today by society. The synergy created by the comprehensive array of academic programs in the Herberger Institute creates a rich learning experience for our students. Please see the Landscape Architecture Program major map for the required courses.
Recommended Timeline
In the spring of your third year, enroll in LAP 492 with the Honors Advisor to develop your ideas.
In the summer and fall of your final year, continue your research as needed to prepare for your last semester. Submit your Prospectus early in the fall semester.
In the spring of your fourth year, based on the option you choose, enroll in LAP 493 with your Thesis Director OR enroll in LDE 462 with your studio instructor.
Other Honors Opportunities
View examples of Herberger student work in The Design school here. The Design School has a tradition of collaboration with other disciplines in developing transdisciplinary work. Our faculty connects design disciplines (architecture, industrial design, interior design, landscape architecture, communication design, experience design, service design) to many areas of application. The five core application areas of design practice and research are:
- Design for sustainability and justice
- Design strategy and innovation
- Design for well being and health
- Interactions between humans and the built environment
- Design of human experiences with new technologies