module specification

Module code: AR7022
Module title: Applied Technology in Architecture
Description: The module asks students to develop and demonstrate key technical skills.
Semester: Autumn/Spring
Prerequisite: None
Assessment: 40% Final Report; 40% Design Report, 20% Diary.

None

The module will promote and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key aspects of the technical skills appropriate to Year 4. The module will enhance knowledge, understanding and abilities learnt at degree level in the use of materials, structures, sustainability, environment and services, cost control mechanisms and user requirements in the creation of architecture, based on current best practice. Progression through the module will lead to the integration of knowledge and understanding gained into the level five design project.

The module will generate an understanding of:
• The construction techniques and processes necessary to realize architectural designs.
• The provision and integration of services
• Impact on design of legislation, codes of practices, health and safety both during
   construction and occupation.
• The benefit of research in the delivery of an architectural design.
• Multi- disciplinary design practice.
The module will lead to an ability to demonstrate and integrated knowledge of:
• The visual, thermal and acoustic principles, which inform architectural designs.
• The relationship between climate, built form, construction, life styles, CO2 production and human well-being.
• Structural and constructional strategies for complex building or group of buildings.
• The role of technology, environmental design, construction, materials and components in the delivery of human well being, the welfare of future generations, continuity of the natural world and a sustainable environment.
• Financial factors and cost control mechanisms impact on the design process and architectural design

The programme of study comprises:
A series of lectures, including multi-disciplinary lectures by leading practitioners incorporating current best practice. Three workshops with related design or construction tasks and one link to Semester B studio design project, supported by seminars and tutorials, which includes in Semester B internal and external consultants.

The syllabus includes:
• The theoretical and philosophical context surrounding the built environment.
• The discussion of structures and material selection leading to an understanding of their impact on use and the perception of architectural form and space.
• The principles of material selection and specification including sustainability, recyclablity, and embodied CO2.
• A review of cladding systems/types for complex architectural projects.
• The development of a detailed knowledge of building systems and construction both ‘off the shelf’ and bespoke
• The discussion of the relationship of craft and industrial production to contemporary architecture;
• Provide an introduction to emergent materials.
• Study structural systems for long span and complex building types including the infrastructure of the built environment..
• Form finding in architecture, including rapid prototyping.
• Digital simulation of performance criteria: thermal, acoustic and structural in the design of architecture.
• A review of the evidence for global warming: the impact of buildings and infrastructure on climate change and the impact of climate change on the design of architecture; environmental foot-printing and other methods of environmental impact assessment; renewable energy sources.
• The study of sustainable constructional strategies through an understanding of:
- renewable energy in buildings;
- active and passive systems, for space heating and cooling;
- water collection, reuse and environmental responsible management of foil water;
- zero-carbon buildings;
- embodied energy and embodied CO2.
• The study of the role and impact of Sustainability, Environment and Services from; interior spatial strategies to regional infrastructural decision making including the scale between, for example, architecture, sitting and landscape.
• Comfort and health in buildings: the interactive nature of the relationship between buildings and their occupants; the role of building design in achieving comfort in diverse climates.
• Provides an appreciation of the techniques and design principles for energy responsible and socially appropriate buildings and infrastructure set in diverse climates and cultures, within in the context of the risk of global warming.
• The discussion of autonomy and interdependence in architecture and the built environment.
• Study of natural ventilation, utilisation of daylight, passive solar energy techniques and relevance of intensive services provision.
• Study the interaction of form, placement, skin, services and spatial strategies in the creation of architecture, including form-finding techniques in architecture.
• Study the role and impact of services in a wide range of building types from housing to complex architectural projects.
• Investigates the changing nature of services in twenty-first century.
• Specifications and procurement.

Lectures, seminars and  workshops
group tutorials including visits to sites and or workshops/factories
Consultancy support in Semester B.

By completing the module the student should be able to:
1.   Demonstrate precise understanding and integrated knowledge of the role of
materials, structure, environment and services in the delivery of architecture and the
built environment.
2.  Design and integrate key elements, components and assemblies within  Semester B
studio project - focused on the use of materials, structure, environment and services.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of construction, structure, services and
  materials in relationship to spatial and human conditions and building user’s
  requirements.
4.  Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of material selection including
  sustainability, recyclablity, and embodied CO2.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the interaction between the risk of global
  warming and the built environment.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of renewable energy sources and of active and passive
  solar design for buildings in diverse climates.
7. Make an environmental impact assessment for a building or infrastructure
  proposal.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of occupant comfort in buildings and the building-
occupant interaction.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the role and integration of services in the
  delivery of architecture.
10. Demonstrate the ability to make critical judgements regarding design strategies.
11. Demonstrate the ability to integrate constructional technologies into architectural
  propositions.
12. Demonstrate an understanding of  financial factors implied in constructional systems,  and mechanisms for cost control during the design development process
13. An understanding autonomy and interdependence in the built environment.
 

An emphasis is placed on the making of models both physical and digital, as learning tools and as a means of communicating ideas. This will include simulations of environmental and other performance criteria.

The module will be assessed in three ways:
• The design and or construction of three projects, one of which can be linked to a studio design project in Semester B.
• A3 Research Reports and CDs incorporating precedent studies, photographs, study models and digital out put recording and documenting the three projects outlined above. Physical models should not be submitted for assessment.
• A diary of a design and construction process reflecting on; the levels of skills and co-ordination to produce a construction in a short timeframe, and; how insights into working practice developed during this exercise might inform current design work

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