An Exploration of Research Through Design Writing Framework of Landscape Architecture Dissertation

For a long time, in the training of postgraduates of design majors, teachers and students have been confused about the topic selection and writing style of dissertations. Based on the design research theory, this paper discusses how postgraduate and doctoral students in the landscape architecture discipline carry out researches through design and how to write the dissertations. By analyzing and comparing the dissertations in the Tsinghua University and Delft University of Technology, it discusses the research methods and writing frameworks suitable for landscape design. They are summarized as follows: 1) Research methods include defining design questions, proposing theoretical hypothesis, conducting design projects, verifying assumptions, conclusion and reflection; 2) The presentation of the dissertation should show all aspects of “Research through Design”, that is, introduction, design question, theory and case study, research hypothesis, design proposal, conclusion and reflection. This research provides a writing framework reference for landscape design dissertations.