Interdisciplinary intersections: new roles for digital technologies and landscape architecture in the design of large scale infrastructures

Abstract

The introduction of BIM is assumed to introduce higher degrees of collaboration and efficiencies within design and construction practices. The potentials of this collaboration tend to focus on architecture, engineering and construction (AEC). Landscape architecture is rarely discussed within this model, technically nor conceptual. This paper explores the potentials of landscape architecture‘s contribution to this new model of digitally driven collaboration. Drawing on interviews with the architects, landscape architects and engineers we explore the role of landscape architecture in the conceptualization, design and construction of the Victorian Desalination Plant, a highly political project located on an ecological sensitive coastal site. This paper highlights the centrality of the landscape digital model in mediating the critical intersection between the design parameters, physical attributes of the site, performative qualities of the design and the disciplines of architecture, landscape and engineering. This model also formed the dominant method for communicating the complex project to stake holders and clients. Significantly, this model was not developed into a BIM model, with content instead integrated into the architectural and engineering models. This research highlights one of the major difficulties in conceptualizing the positioning of landscape architecture within a BIM driven collaborative process. To operate effectively, landscape architecture must engage across the multiple scales and disciplinary intersections. Consequently, landscape architects must understand the digital and spatial languages of architecture and engineering, and conceptualise where their contribution lies within 'paperless‘ design and construction processes. This outcome differs significantly from current debates within landscape architecture which instead focus on the identification of 'the' specialist BIM software most appropriate to the discipline, as distinct from understanding BIM as a collaborative process