Co-designing landscape visual representations as a pedagogical process

Landscape represents the complex interplay between physical and biological systems that sustain life. Recognising this, there is a growing call for a socio-ecological transition. Yet, urban and architectural design education often lacks the operational depth to foster lasting, meaningful relationships of care with the landscape and the planet.To bridge this gap, the Architecture of Landscape course at the Lisbon School of Architecture uses visual landscape representations as tools for co-design. These representations—objects of both artistic interpretations and scientific explorations—help integrate landscape processes into architectural thinking, viewing architecture not as separate from, but as an extension of, the landscape. This shifts the design focus beyond form and function to include systemic contributions to ecological care.The course adopts a pedagogical strategy grounded in thick mapping , using layered exercises that build deep, relational visualizations of the landscape. The value lies not in the final output, but in the cumulative knowledge generated through co-creation—mirroring the landscape’s own capacity to integrate multiple perspectives over time.This approach fosters innovative teaching practices, enabling students to engage in respectful, ecologically attuned interventions and view territory as a living ecology, habitat, and resource.

Landscape architecture · Landscape design · Landscape and Cultural Studies · Urban Green Space and Health · Urban Planning and Landscape Design · Architecture

• Designed Ecologies

  William S Saunders, William Saunders•Designed Ecologies•2012

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