module specification

The module asks students to develop and demonstrate their ability to integrate key fields of architectural knowledge in the context of their Level 5 design project.
 

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The module will promote and demonstrate the integration of key fields of professional architectural knowledge in the level 5 comprehensive design project.
The module provides a practical framework through which students can address the professional practice and academic discipline of architecture as outlined by the ARB/RIBA joint Criteria(GC1-GC11)
 

The student will be required to demonstrate that within their comprehensive design project they have a knowledge, understanding of and ability within the following four areas:

A. cultural context and communication,
B. professional context
C. environment and sustainability.
D. construction, materials and structures.

The module will require students to manage, coordinate and learn from a diverse range of sources and from consultants within the department and externally. The use of external consultants, the gathering of information and cross disciplinary collaboration simulate the dynamic, interdisciplinary and fast changing nature of contemporary architectural practice giving students an understanding of practice and an ability to work in teams.

Students will be expected to investigate, communicate and appraise each of the following as they have informed and are realised within the comprehensive design project.

Cultural Context and communication:
• The social political economic and professional context that guides and supports the design
• The histories and theories of architecture,urban design and the arts that have informed the design.
• The use of precedent and case studies in the development and resolution of the design.
• The use of visual, verbal, written, multimedia and participatory methods of communication in the development and communication of the design.
• The influence and relevance of the practices, technologies and creative
application of the arts on architectural design in terms of conceptualization and  representation
• The relationship between the forms of communication used and different stakeholders: lay, professional and academic involved in the design.

Professional Context:
• The relationship between the design and regulatory requirements including the needs of the disabled, health and safety legislation, building control and planning legislation.
• The way the design would be financed, procured and realised including a discussion of emerging trends in the construction industry such as partnering, integrated project processes, value engineering and risk management in as much as they relate to the design.
• The role of the architect implied by the design and the management, organisational and practice structures necessary to realise it.

Construction, Structures, materials, environment and sustainable design.

• The structural and constructional strategies and theories employed by the design.
• The construction techniques and processes necessary to realize the design
• The provision and integration of building services
• The physical properties and characteristics of the building materials and components used in the design
• The visual, thermal and acoustic principles which guide the design.
• The relationship between the design and the wider environment including the life styles promoted by the design and the energy it consumes.
• The way building technologies, environmental design construction methods, materials and components have been integrated into the design in relation to: human well-being, the welfare of future generations, the natural world, the sustainable environment.

This module will be run in parallel with the development and resolution of the level five comprehensive design project In each of the four key areas students will be required to attend seminars and make presentations to specialist teams within the department and initiate consultations with external specialists managed and retained by the department. The student will be expected to take responsibility for the scope and nature of these consultations and to effectively record and integrate the specialist advice received into the development and resolution of their comprehensive design project. The use and scope of external consultants will be managed by the department to best represent the dynamic forces of multidisciplinary team working that characterises contemporary practice.

1. An ability to gather, process and make use of the information, processes and strategies necessary to develop a complex design proposal within the four key areas of professional competence described in the module
2. An ability to manage, coordinate and learn from consultants across a wide range of disciplines.
3. An ability to integrate knowledge acquired from taught courses, consultancy, industry, testing, prototyping and participatory processes into a complex design proposal, including theories of urban design and the planning of communities and the influence of the design and development of cities, past and present on the contemporary built environment.
4. An ability to make and communicate clear strategic decisions in relation to the wider political, economic, professional, environmental, industrial and legal context informing their design, including the influence of history and theory on the spatial, social, and technological aspects of architecture.
5. An ability to communicate with lay, professional and technical audiences and allied professionals.
    

The module will be assessed two ways:

Process:
The student will develop a detailed diary recording all aspects of their design process in the areas outlined above. The diary should reflect on the design development in all four areas, it should be concise and personal. Students are also encouraged to keep research files, which should include records of all presentations, meetings, tutorials and of the use of internal and external consultants including how they were briefed, minutes of meeting and evidence of the integration of advice received into the development and resolution of the comprehensive design project. Only the diary and report are to be submitted, however course tutors may review the research files in necessary.

The students will also be asked to make an interim and final presentation to subject teams including external consultants in each of the four areas. The presentations will form part of the assessment.


Resolution:
Students will make an illustrated report of 6,000 words dealing with each of the four key areas. The report must make specific reference to the way the comprehensive design has addressed and resolved the integration of each of the key areas and each sub section of the syllabus.

In the areas of environment, sustainability, construction, structures and materials students must in addition submit sufficient detailed drawings, diagrams, models, simulations, material samples, performance specifications and components to fully illustrate the strategies and decisions described within the written report.

Assessment:
Process:
Interim Presentation 5%
Final Presentation 5%
Process Diary 40%

Resolution:
Report 50%

To be issued by course tutor.