Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The purpose of this master’s thesis has been to explore and describe how and when the
landscape architect perceives its design process as finished. During the course, my friend and
I have developed a design proposal for the development of a harbour basin (Hamnbassängen)
in Helsingborg. The main focus in the design work has been to investigate the possibilities of
developing the site in order to prevent flooding’s due to the rising sea level. By examining my
design process, interviewing professional landscape architects and study theory on the
subject, I hope to find patterns of how and when the landscape architect feel satisfied with the
design process. The aim is also to get a better understanding of what happens mentally during
the design process and how to deal with the difficulties that this entails.
Initially, the work with the design of Hamnbassängen in Helsingborg is described. The reader
will be guided through what conditions the work was based on, how the design process was
perceived and finally what thoughts I had after the completed design work. A combination of
empirical studies, interviews with three professional landscape architects and literature studies
on the topic of design processes, has been the basis for answering the question:” What makes
a design process perceived as complete?” Furthermore, the studies have supported me in
reflecting upon my own design process in order to get an insight into the factors that made me
less satisfied with the design process during the work with Hamnbassängen in Helsingborg.
Conclusions that could be drawn about the design process are that the factors that generally
affect the perception of feeling complete with the process among others are; Personality,
Objectives, Time Frames, Relevant Boundaries, Teamwork, Feedback, and Overall Concept.
When these aspects function and interact constructively, the best conditions for perceiving a
design process as complete can be found. In general, it seems difficult to feel completely
finished with that result and the design process. The feeling of being finished with the work
seems to depend on the content of the design process and how you handle different events
during the design process.