In this paper, we present the flipped classroom model in the context of a computer-aided landscape design curriculum. Our specific instructional problem for this course was “How can the instructor engage students more in the classroom, provide opportunities for them to get a real world sense of the tools they will be working with, and still cover the instructional content necessary to supply the foundational information needed to design better, more cost effective tools”? We re-considered the course design to incorporate strategies that would support an instructor shift from a traditional lecture-based format to include more active, student-centered activities. Balancing the advantages and disadvantage of both lecture and active learning, we utilized a technique called the “classroom flip” or “inverted classroom.” The application of this technique retains the best qualities of the “lecture” or teacher-centered learning model and the best qualities of the “active learning” or student-centered teaching model. After an initial discussion, the instructor was motivated to move low cognitive level lecture material out of the classroom so that students could engage in higher level work and active learning in the classroom.