GOING AFIELD: EXPERIMENTING WITH NOVEL TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES AT THE PERIPHERY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

Landscape architects are facing unprecedented challenges and complexities associated with design projects of today. To better adapt and evolve in light of these issues, the toolbox for the profession is currently expanding beyond traditional implements and devices to include emerging tools that have originated in other industries. The barriers to entry for these tools are continuously being lowered due to more user-friendly hardware, more intuitive software, and increased affordability, allowing them to get into the hands of more people. Yet, many of these emerging tools now available to professionals originated elsewhere and cannot be simply transferred over to the design world. This article argues that there is a need to critically evaluate and assess new technologies for use in landscape architectural practice. It unpacks how the XL Research and Innovation Lab at SWA Group has experimented with and tested the limitations of three new tools — unmanned aerial vehicles, immersive environment technologies, and machine learning algorithms — to better understand their potential for design. For each tool, the article provides an overview of its technology, a case study testing the technology for use in landscape architectural practice, a list of observed strengths and limitations, and a projected roadmap for future applications.

Keywords

Tools / Technologies / Devices / Unmanned Aerial Vehicles / Virtual Reality / Mixed Reality / Machine Learning

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2019 Higher Education Press