LAD302 Advanced 3D Tools for Design and Planning

This course is for students who have mastered intermediate skills in digital tools and wish to explore new potentials and complications associated with 3D visualizations in interaction with landscape, urban planning, architecture, construction and cultural heritage. The course will offer possibilities to work with various types of technology for design and planning which might include: 3D modelling, 3D visualizations, animation, immersive Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, Reality Capture, digital storytelling. The emphasis is put on investigation of the added values of using digital tools in design and planning scenarios for enhancing understanding, collaboration and communication. The Virtual Reality Lab (VR-Lab) will offer an arena for testing and experimenting of new ways of knowledge-sharing, increasing collaboration, motivation and engaged learning.

The course is based on a combination of lectures, lab exercises, excursions and group work, with individual or group guidance. The course can be offered according to one of the following models: first approach: Introduction to a specific digitization tool and visualization technique to investigate their potential for design and planning. Examples are BIM for landscape architecture, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Artificial Intelligence. Second approach: Students will have the opportunity to try a 3D visualization method or other digital tool in a case to explore different aspects and problems with it. Examples of cases are specific task locations in the city and country; there may be reconstructions of historic gardens or landscapes; or it could be to explore future development potential in a location. After being introduced to various weights, the students must explore their topic individually or in groups and identify which approach they choose for the task. Third approach: Collaboration with other courses on a specific topic. Following this approach means that students have to follow two courses at the same time. For 2024, the course will be offered based on the third approach. The course will be then offered in collaboration with LAA321 course. Students will have access to the VR lab to test theories and aspects related to the use of 3D digitization tools in design and planning. There will be student presentations along the way to follow up the learning in the subject and for feedback to the students.

Knowledge: Ability to study, understand and investigate the complications associated with digital tools and 3D visualizations when used in design and planning process through a case study.

Skills: Ability to use and utilize digital visualizations technologies as an interdisciplinary platform for communication, collaboration, and interaction with stakeholders and wide audience.

General competence: The ability to think critically about the use of digital tools for presentation and communication of planning and design scenarios.