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The Design Thesis (dissertation) gives you the opportunity to identify a site and a design issue to suit your portfolio and personal preference. You will identify your own design brief and explore design solutions to resolve the aims and objectives of that brief. The choice and size of site will need to be approved by your tutor.  You will research, collate, synthesise, analyse and present data required to facilitate investigation of key site planning and design concepts. You will demonstrate initiative, organisation and time management skills. You will demonstrate effective communication of findings and design intention through a variety of media and modes of delivery, including written, spoken and graphic presentation skills.

After site selection is approved, the Design Thesis will involve the production of a set of drawings and accompanying documents that demonstrate you are capable of scoping a project from survey through analysis to design resolution. You will also demonstrate that you are capable of managing all stages of a self-led design project including: feasibility, concept and strategic design development, master-planning and detailed design for an agreed area; to include resolution of planting and construction issues as appropriate to the site.

i. Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of the module students should be able to demonstrate that, in relation to their selected site they can:
a) identify an appropriate site for design investigation;
b) devise a design brief including design aims and objectives;
c) critically evaluate and review precedent and underpinning design theory and approaches;
d) clearly articulate their design rationale and intentions;
e) identify and resolve conflicts and opportunities inherent in a landscape architecture brief.
f ) develop a response to the site that offers a coherence of physical form, cultural content, user needs and natural processes;
g) place their own study in the context of other work from the same genre.

ii. Skills
On completion of the module students should be able to demonstrate that they can:
a) Develop a self-led piece of work from initiation to completion, accepting accountability for determining its outcome;
b) work independently and exercise informed judgments about the demands of the project at this level;
c) manage their time, meet deadlines and produce work demonstrating high standards of presentation and creativity;
d) identify and collect appropriate information, analyse and draw conclusions from it;
e) produce work that resolves the aims and objectives from the design brief;
f) communicate context, rationale and proposals in graphic, written and oral terms with clarity and conviction and demonstrate high standards of presentation.

7 hours of supervisory tutorial meetings with an allocated tutor and 293 hours of independent study to produce the design outcome. With a further 1 hour of Academic Review Tutoring from their thesis tutor; a total of 8.0 hours across the study period.

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.