LK0469, Studio - Designing the residential environment, 15.0 Hp
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Syllabus

Finalized by: PN-LT, 2025-11-14
Valid from : Spring semester 2027 (2027-01-18)

Level

First cycle (G2F)

Main field of study

Landscape Architecture

Grading Scale

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

Swedish

Entry Requirements

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide basic knowledge of the design of residential environments.

Knowledge and understanding

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• describe the interests and needs of different groups in the residential environment and reflect on aspects of social sustainability, focusing on how landscape architects can work for social equity;
• explain their own design process in relation to a selection of theoretical texts on design and form;
• give an overview of the role of residential environments in the modern history of Swedish urban development, and describe their character, design, and content;
• discuss different approaches to create planting beds and improving soil quality based on existing site conditions.

Skills and abilities

After completing the course, the student should, with supervision, be able to:

• survey, analyse, and present an existing residential environment as the basis for a design proposal;
• apply methods for idea development;
• design a residential environment convincingly, taking into account existing conditions, form, function, ecological aspects, and the needs and interests of different people;
• present a design proposal orally and visually using digital layout and image-editing software;
• develop a planting design proposal for a given site and produce a basic planting plan;
• design a planting bed for several plant species based on the given site conditions.

Content

In a major studio exercise, students design a residential outdoor area within an existing housing area. Working from the site’s conditions, students practise making decisions about what to preserve, refine, or transform, considering the needs of different users in the residential environment. The course includes in-depth studies of, among other things, children’s perspectives and play environments. Students also explore how landscape architects can promote social equity in housing environments by addressing different social groups and power structures.

In the exercise, students develop their ability to relate their own design decisions to climate impact and ecological considerations.

Through methodical sketching, they develop their understanding of spatial and site-based design and strengthen their overall design ability. During the course, students visit examples of residential environments from the 20th and early 21st centuries to gain a historical perspective on modern Swedish urban design. The studio project is presented both orally and visually.

In a soil and planting exercise, students develop a detailed planting design and prepare a planting plan and ground sections for planting beds. They evaluate how planting beds can be constructed under different soil conditions, aiming to improve soil quality while minimising climate impact. Emphasis is placed on site-adapted plant material and on how plant character influences the experience of the planting and the site.

In seminars, students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different soil types as plant substrates and explore alternative methods for soil improvement.

The course employs varied teaching formats to support student learning, in particular supervised studio work, lectures, and field and literature studies.

The course develops the following generic competencies: problem-solving, creativity, independence, collaboration, time management, and the ability to communicate a proposal both orally and visually (text and images, digitally). It also includes elements of analytical methods, information literacy, and critical thinking.

Collaboration with the surrounding community takes place through guest lecturers and/or guides during field visits.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

Successful completion of the course requires approved exercises, approved oral and visual presentations, and approved participation in compulsory course components.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Urban and Rural Development

Supplementary information

Included in program

• Landskapsarkitektprogrammet - Uppsala

Other Information

Prior knowledge in ecology and soil science is recommended.

The course provides 15 credits of skills training.