module specification

Design Thesis Project: Specialisation, Proposition and Resolution will give you the opportunity to define your specialisation within the discipline of architecture, find a context in which to work, establish and investigate a thesis to underpin and drive your design, and through these processes develop a comprehensive design proposal or proposals. You will come to a point of resolution in the design thesis project and both the process and the final product will be demonstrated in your design portfolio. A thesis in this sense is a position you will establish for yourself in relation to architectural design, and put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved through design project(s) involving extensive personal research. The module aims for you to emerge able to demonstrate a command of relevant knowledge as well as the conceptual, professional and technical skills that you have learnt to produce a highly resolved architectural design(s) that offer an integrated solution to a defined set of issues.

The 60-credit module aims to complete the final stage of your academic education in architectural design, with an emphasis on the critical assessment, strategy and structure of a researched design thesis project, as well as on its detailed resolution. The aims of the module are to teach skills pertaining to Health and Life Safety; Ethical and Professional Practice; Structure, Construction and Resources that consider the quality of lives and future generations; Design Processes and Communication and Business Skills (‘themes and values’ from RIBA: The Way Ahead 2022). The module is supported by the Integrated Project Study module, AR7018, which requires specific and highly detailed evidence demonstrating the integration of cultural, professional, technical and environmental understanding, climate change factors, and considerations of biodiversity into the design thesis project(s). Both modules demand that you are clear about the role of an architect in framing and realising a major design project and will refine your ability to deliver a coherent architectural design that integrates theory and practice with the aim of launching you on the last stage of professional training; to become architects capable of designing the structure of practice as well as the structure of buildings. Your performance is measured through your independence in managing the design process and your ability to relate this process to external and professional worlds.

The module is taught through design units, which aim to work in a similar way to individual architectural practices, and each has a specific and specialised set of interests in the built environment. You will be encouraged to establish your own thesis and take responsibility for the direction of the work in relation to the agenda of a unit and the broader context of the academic and professional field. The module aims to rehearse your ability to act as an independent learner, providing a laboratory for operating within the complex environment of contemporary architectural practice. Design skills at Architecture RIBA 2 - MArch level are inherently transferable and are best developed through highly focused work that demands a detailed understanding of complex problems, a premise that reflects the contemporary practice of architecture.

The module aims to provide a practical framework through which you can address the professional practice and academic discipline of architecture as outlined in the ARB/RIBA Joint Criteria ‘The Way Ahead, Education Themes and Values’ 2021 as well as ‘Guidance Notes to Institutions’ issued by the ARB in 2021 outlining the core competences expected at RIBA 2, and in recognition of ARB Competency Outcomes for Architects 2024.

AR7P48

You will study Design Thesis, Project Specialisation, Proposition and Resolution through one of a choice of design units, each led by one or more unit tutors. Each design unit will state an overall agenda, set of interests and context within the built environment and provide an outline of a project or related set of projects. These vary from year to year and the outline programme for each design unit is presented in turn at the beginning of the Autumn term (Semester 1) at which time you will have an opportunity to rank your choice of design unit and programme you wish to work with.

In this module you will study within a design unit but will be expected to work with some independence in developing your final architectural design(s). The detailed syllabus will therefore be generated between you and your tutors within the overall context and with the support of a design unit. You will take responsibility for developing a project brief, identifying and researching relevant issues, developing and testing design processes and securing the required knowledge.

The outcome of your design project will consist of a three-dimensional and spatial design proposal, which is equivalent in scope and complexity to a medium/large sized building. Through the proposal you will make explicit how the social, ethical, political and cultural context of your proposal has been considered; the needs and desires of your client, the community and society at large; how the environmental and economic context of your proposal has been considered; how the professional context that guides building construction has been considered.

Scheduled teaching on Design Thesis Project: Specialisation, Proposition and Resolution ensures that independent study is effective and addresses the learning outcomes and assessment tasks. You have the opportunity to study outside of scheduled classes – particularly in the working environment of the design studio. A range of learning strategies is deployed and individual learning styles accommodated. The module’s learning outcomes, its contents and delivery, are regularly reviewed to ensure an inclusive pedagogical approach.

The module and course utilise the University’s blended learning platform to support and reinforce learning. Peer-to-peer communication is fostered in group activities and tutorial support provided regularly. Reflective learning is promoted through assessment tasks and formative feedback, particularly in the traditional context of the design review. You are encouraged to reflect on your progress and engage in sequential decision making through staged submissions and to make recommendations for future development. The course team seeks to embed the University’s Education for Social Justice Framework in fostering learning that is enjoyable, accessible, relevant and that takes account of the social and cultural context and capital of its students.

The School’s programme of employability events and embedded work-related learning within the curriculum supports personal development planning. Through these initiatives, you are increasingly able – as you progress – to understand the professional environment of your discipline, the various opportunities available and how to shape your learning according to your ambitions and aspiration.

On successful completion of Design Thesis Project: Specialisation, Proposition and Resolution you will be able to:

1. devise and manage a self-directed program of appropriate research (CLO  11(a) 2 and 3; 11(b) 4);
2. develop a well-grounded thesis, detailed project brief and outline design proposition for a coherent architectural design(s) which integrates knowledge of the social, political, economic, cultural; and the arts, environmental, climate change factors and considerations of biodiversity  and the professional context which guides building construction (CLO 11(a) 1, 3, 4; 11(b) 2,; 11(c) 1, 2);
3. construct a well-judged and rigorous design process (CLO 11(a) 1-4);
4. work effectively with the skills and knowledge involved in an area of specialisation (CLO 11(b) 3; 11(c) 1, 4, 5; 11(d) 2, 4);
5. collate and document the critical design development process to a professional standard of presentation (CLO 11(b) 2; 11(c) 2; 11(d) 1);
6. advocate a coherent architectural design thesis that responds convincingly to complex conditions (CLO 11(a) 1, 3; 11(d) 1, 2);
7. construct a coherent architectural design that is explicit about how it may be realised technically, environmentally, politically and economically (CLO 11(a) 4; 11(b) 3, 4; 11(c) 1, 3);
8. integrate an advanced knowledge, understanding and ability of design, environment and sustainability, construction, materials and structures, cultural context and management, practice and law into a well resolved coherent architectural design (CLO 11(a) 3; 11(b) 1, 3, 4; 11(c) 4; 11(d) 2, 4);
9. propose coherent architectural design(s) that navigate a route through ethical issues: environmental, cultural and/or economic that considers the quality of lives and future generations (CLO 11(a) 1, 2, 3; 11(b) 4; 11(c) 4; 11(d) 2);
10. present and communicate a complex architectural design efficiently and effectively (CLO 11(a) 2; 11(b) 1, 2; 11(d) 1).

Assessment items will be based on:
• a portfolio (Component 1, 80%) showing the process and final outcome of the design thesis project(s), which should be approximately 40-75 A1 sheets or equivalent, addressing the module’s learning outcomes through the tasks and criteria as set out in the assessment brief. The emphasis is on a well-edited, carefully crafted portfolio of high-quality design. Modes of documentation may include but are not limited to: drawings, diagrams, photographic material, multi-media material, representations of quantitative and/or qualitative data, 3D models or prototypes, web-based material. All 3D and multi-media work should be recorded in two-dimensional graphic form in the portfolio and explained to a standard suitable for assessment purposes;
• a design research diary (Component 2, 15%) demonstrating the breadth of design research and investigations, addressing the module’s learning outcomes through the tasks and criteria as set out in the assessment brief. The design research diary should be no more than 4,000 words or graphic equivalent. Diagrams, sketches, drawings and photographs should be used to demonstrate your understanding of the relationship between research and production in design and decision making;
• a presentation (Component 3, 5%) of the design portfolio contents to a panel, at the end of the year when the portfolio has been completed. The presentation of the design thesis project(s) will consist of a 15-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of strategic, design, thesis and technical discussion with the review panel.

The rationale for the development and use of these assessment items is as follows:
• Component 1: the portfolio enables you to show a well-constructed design thesis project brief, for coherent architectural and built environment design(s) founded on relevant research, to demonstrate a well-managed, thoughtful and productive design process, to produce a focused body of work that identifies and integrates specialist issues and skills, and to show your understanding and knowledge of the context of professional architectural practice within the design proposal. In the portfolio you can evidence professional awareness and care in the way your design thesis project responds to environmental, political, economic, social and professional issues; the skills of portfolio preparation will be transferable to architectural practice in your future careers;
• Component 2: the design diary offers you the opportunity to evidence self-determination and self-management. You can show in the diary how their well-devised and coherently resolved design thesis project integrates an advanced knowledge and understanding of design, environment and sustainability, construction, materials and structures, cultural context and management, practice and law. The diary will demonstrate a relationship between the design and the proposed role of the architect in procuring the design proposal as well as evidence of response to ethical considerations raised by the design proposal and allows you to show judgement and exercise transferable skills likely to be relevant to their professional careers;
• Component 3: the presentation exercises your communication skills in presenting and representing work to professional standards and tests your ability to make a coherent presentation of the design in portfolio through oral presentation, rehearsing the transferable skill of oral presentation to an audience of peers. The presentation of the design portfolio will consist of a 15-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of discussion with the review panel.

The pass mark for the module is to be calculated as an aggregate of the components weighted accordingly, with the proviso that the candidate must pass the portfolio component.

AR7P49 Design Thesis Project: Specialisation, Proposition and Resolution – Core Reading List