• Check In: June 30
• First Day of Class: July 1
• Last Day of Class: July 24
• Check Out: July 25

Class Size: 16-18

This program will involve intensive research, project design, and site visits to designed and natural public open spaces in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The program will be divided into two parts. The first will be a ten-day study tour of public open space projects in Scandinavia. Sites to be visited will include parks, plazas, pedestrian streets, natural areas, and open space systems. The second part of the program will involve an intensive design project in Stavanger, Norway (designated the 2008 Cultural Capital of Europe). The course will be conducted with students and faculty in urban design and planning at the University of Stavanger.

Proposed Field Trips

• Stavanger, Norway
• Domkirken/Stavanger Cathedral
• Stavanger Oil Museum/Oljemuseet
• Hike to Prekelstolen/Lysefjord
• Oslo, Norway
• Office Visit to Landscape Architects
• Vigeland Park
• Stockholm, Sweden
• Helsinki, Finland

Courses

This program carries a total of 8 units. Auditing is not an option.

• Landscape Architecture 191 (8 units)
  Workshop in Landscape Architecture
  Prerequisite: Landscape Architecture 1, 70, and 170 or consent of instructor.
  Faculty initiated workshops featuring advanced studies and applications of original work in landscape architecture. May be repeated for up to 20 units of credit.
  GE credit: none

Course Requirements

Sketchbook

A sketchbook will be used to note observations, do sketch problems, and develop design concepts for the public space project. The sketchbook can be used as a journal during your travels, a scrapbook of places you visit, and for notes recording and analyzing what you see. In addition, we will use the sketchbook for a number of short exercises including field analysis of places, behavior mapping, measurements, and recording construction details. The sketchbook will be evaluated at the end of the course and will serve as 50% of the final grade.

Design Project: Analysis and Redesign of Stavanger Public Spaces

This project involves design of several public open spaces in central Stavanger. Sites will be redesigned in teams based on site analysis and lessons learned during the study tour. The sites are part of a historic and evolving network of public open spaces in Stavanger. The improvement of these sites will be important as part of the designation of Stavanger as a European Culture City in 2008.

Redesign Program

Past and current plans for public spaces in Stavanger will be presented to provide an overview of competition entries and city plans for improving the public environment of central Stavanger. Your redesign program differs by location. However several principles or goals are to be considered in all spaces 1) how to better connect spaces into a continuous "necklace" of open spaces; 2) how to enlarge public spaces to provide for more use and programmed activities; and 3) the value of dispersing versus concentrating public life and outdoor activities throughout spaces in downtown Stavanger.

There are two parts to the project - public space analysis and design. The analysis should consider the site and site context including existing uses, buildings, visual quality, character, etc. The design should emphasize how to create usable and lively public space using examples and principles from our study tour. Both will be done in teams. Site and context maps will be provided on AutoCAD. Analysis and design work will be presented in graphic format suitable for your portfolio.

Project Requirements (scale to be specified)

• Site/Urban Design Analysis
• A concept statement
• A colored Public Space Plan showing all proposed redesign elements
• At least one section
• Two sketches that present elements of the design (one axonometric can be substituted for the two sketches)
• Images/Photos that support your design

Required Texts

• Gehl, Jan. Life Between Buildings. Danish Architectural Press. 2003 English edition. ISBN: 8774072838
• * Topos European Landscape Magazine. "Landscape Architecture in Scandinavia: Projects from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland." 2003 Paper. ISBN: 3764367326

Accommodations

Stavanger: University Dorms
At the beginning and the end of your stay you will be housed at the SIS dorms at the University of Stavanger. Each dorm room has a single bed, with shared living quarters, including a bathroom, kitchen, and living room. You will have computer access and telephones in your room.

10 Day Scandinavian Trip
The hotels and inns where you will be staying during the 10 day trip range from 2-3 stars. Most rooms will be shared with two twin beds with en-suite bathrooms at all locations.

Meals

Stavanger
Meals are not included.

10 Day Scandinavian Trip
Breakfasts, ranging from continental to traditional Scandinavian, will be served at the hotels.

Fees

Fees for Summer Abroad include the Summer Abroad Program Fee, Course Unit Fee, and Accommodation and Miscellaneous Fee. The Accommodation and Miscellaneous Fee covers lodging, selected meals (if included), selected field trips, group accidental death & dismemberment and emergency health insurance, select publications, and additional program specific costs. Air fare is not included. All fees are subject to change.