Curriculum
Class Schedule 2012/2013

The Program. Our course of study balances creativity, visual and spatial skills with technological expertise in the creation of the residential landscape. Students will develop skills in problem solving through both the design and creative processes while planning and designing the private garden. Students will be involved and work on actual projects within the community, selected by the school.

Career Opportunities. Students may find jobs in Design/Build firms, with nurseries that offer landscape design, with established design companies, swimming pool contractors or in their own practice. This program provides the student with an excellent background in working with the public and designing the residential garden. The student should be aware of the necessity to continue the study of plant identification to further their knowledge of design.

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The 5-week Advanced Garden Design Course was just as Rob described; intense and very involved. This program was very comprehensive; covering every aspect of landscape design and fully prepared the student to function as a competent landscape designer in the real world.  Unlike other programs, students designed for a real client, with real needs. This provided us with invaluable experience not only with client interactions but with arriving at design solutions for site constraints/problems; this is a very effective teaching method.  I have learnt so much, Rob is an excellent teacher, very passionate and knowledgeable about his profession. What I enjoyed the most was his creative insight and approach to arriving at design solutions and most of all his patience with dealing with my many questions. I am very passionate about landscape design and it was quite refreshing to meet someone whose passion met my own, this encouraged me even more. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is considering landscape design as a profession.
Kurl Knight, Landscape Designer - Cayman Islands

 

Classes in Garden Design (GD)

Beginning Garden Design Courses

Code
 

Course Title

Hours

GD1 Landscape Drafting Lecture 1 — Lab 6
An introduction to landscape design drafting and graphics. The development of creative expression through graphic media and drawing techniques. Plan, section and one-point perspectives..

GD2 Site Ecology Lecture 3 — Lab 10
An overview to the interpretation of existing site features, soils and microclimates with regard to their impact on the design solution. Techniques of site analysis, site surveys and mapping procedures. Field trips to map projects.

GD3 History of Garden Design Lecture 3 — Lab 5
An introduction to the history of landscape design and land planning from ancient Egypt to the present day. The emphasis will be on 20c. designers. Field trip to the Empire Mine State Park to be scheduled.

GD4 Landscape Design Studio Lecture 4 — Lab 32
Introduction to the basic aesthetic and functional considerations in garden design. An overview of the 24 design principles and 6 design approaches of landscape design. Color rendering techniques in marker, pastel and colored pencil. Emphasis on design justification and client presentation. Projects are with real clients and properties. This class provides a broad foundation in landscape design skills and methods enabling the student to create responsible garden designs.

GD5 Plants in the Designed Landscape Lecture 2 — Lab 10
Cultural and environmental parameters of plant selection for the residential garden. The role of color and texture in plant selection. Basic planting design guidelines and the creation of order in the landscape. An overview of energy and resource conservation, low maintenance and aesthetics.

 

Advanced Garden Design Courses

Code
 

Course Title

Hours

GD10 Grading and Drainage Lecture 3 — Lab 7
Topographic and grading problems in landscape engineering. Drainage plans, grading plans and spot elevations. The use and purpose of elevations in landscape design. Field trips for elevation surveys for class projects and the preparation of plans.

GD11 Planting Design Lecture 2 — Lab 8
Further understanding on the sensory, visual and functional importance of plants in the landscape. Development of full planting plans including specifications, sourcing and cost estimations.

GD12 Landscape Irrigation Lecture 3 — Lab 7
Introduction of the principles of hydraulics, sprinkler selection and head placement in residential landscape irrigation design. Zoning of the system, pipe placement and sizing. Estimation of water usage and precipitation rates.

GD13 Construction Materials and Detailing Lecture 3 — Lab 17
An introduction to the materials and methods used in landscape construction. Properties of common materials (stone, concrete and wood). Students will detail selected design elements, prepare cost estimates and specifications. Designing of drainage systems, fountains and natural water features.

GD14 Professional Practice and Construction Documents Lecture 3
Legal and professional aspects of landscape design. Preparation of construction documents (planting plans, irrigation, etc.) including specifications. Proposals and consultation. Fee calculations. Marketing.

GD15 Studies in Landscape Architecture Lecture 3 — Discussion 2
A review and student discussion of selected garden designers and their landscapes.

GD16 Landscape Lighting Lecture 4 — Lab 4
Low-voltage landscape lighting including terminology and design considerations. Calculation of voltage drop and materials selection. How light affects one’s perception and proper use of lighting given specific plant materials.
 

California School of Garden Design ·Applegate Civic Center (The Old Applegate Schoolhouse)
18014 Applegate Road · Applegate, CA · 95703
mailing address:  PO Box 648, Applegate, CA 95703 · Phone: (530) 320-0390 · Email

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