School of Landscape Architecture

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

PHILOSOPHY: Landscape Architecture is a highly imaginative process that engages with nature and the creative expressions of humankind. The explorations partake in ecological sustainability and urban design patterns and sensibilities, and on the spatial order and beauty of our collective spaces. As such, the profession of Landscape Architecture shapes these innate and creative forces into core principles and transforms physical and cultural values into new modes of urban living.

BAC LA PROGRAMS: The BAC's School of Landscape Architecture Bachelor and Master's degree programs are distinguished by an urban, global appoach to contemporary design, and by a highly interdisciplinary curriculum. With foundation courses crossing between the various design programs, students are exposed to multiple design dimensions within an interactive and dynamic atelier environment. The curricular mixture provides both the BLA and MLA level programs with a solid framework for exploring the interrelated components of a meaningful design language, while also mastering the intrinsic conditions specific to the study and professional practice of Landscape Architecture.

LA STUDIOS AND DISCIPLINE COURSES: With studios in systems and urban ecology, site planning and housing projects, urban parks and riverfront public realms, and museum and civic plazas, students are exposed to a progressive complexity of urban landscape architecture subjects and physical sites. Theoretical courses on social aspects, history and diversity, public art and criticism, as well as scientific and technical principles, including urban ecology, hydrology and earthwork, planting design, and structural and construction means and methods, allow students to manifest their thinking into powerful studies and cutting-edge design solutions for present and future global urban spaces. Thesis Degree Studios within both the Bachelor and Master's programs also guide individual student research and design studies within this universal spectrum.

PRACTICE: Concurrent with the academic Landscape Architecture programs, students participate in experiential learning derived from working within professional firms. In these settings students test their academic discoveries by responding to real clients, tangible sites, and factual programs and construction budgets. These practice experiences equip students with hands-on knowledge and allow them to move into their professional track early in their careers.

LOCATION: The School of Landscape Architecture takes full advantage of its prime location in the heart of Boston, where students have the ability to observe and consider real aspects of the City, in situ. History, socio-cultural trends and movements, aesthetic gestures, civic order and urban arts, and the natural processes of systems and urban ecology containing them, are all within reach. The City, in this sense, is the true setting and BAC classroom for students to explore the living and constructed dynamics of public open space and the potential solutions and community offerings that lie ahead.