AAMSPR: Architectural Skills for Professional Resilience

Module code: AAMSPR

Module provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

ECTS credits: 10

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Cristina Cerulli, email: c.cerulli@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have an ARB Part-1 qualification. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE AAMAD1 AND TAKE AAMAD2 AND TAKE AAMAT (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 25 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Bridging in the transdisciplinary nature of the professional and academic worlds, the Architectural Skills for Professional Resilience module will offer an overview of research, professional, and pedagogical landscapes, exploring the role of the architect in a holistic manner, and providing students with a grounded and critical understanding of professionalism, ethics, and research literacy as central to architectural practice and education.

The module will provide, therefore, a foundation in research methods relevant to contemporary issues related to architectural practice and pedagogy, examining the value of research and its impact upon the practice of architecture and the built environment industry. Students will also develop a grounded understanding of processes, techniques, and mechanisms of practice organisation and management, including legal frameworks, financial management, construction procurement processes as well as current policies and legislation. Additionally, with a focus on innovation, critical thinking, and hands-on experience, the module will introduce students to the principles of design education and pedagogy.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

Contextual and Architectural Knowledge

1. How diverse global, cultural, social, technological, economic factors and building technology influence aspects of architecture and urban design.[Knowledge] CK1
2. The role of architects in society, the design team and the construction industry.[Knowledge] CK2
3. The principles and relevance of social sustainability, social value and inclusive design.[Knowledge] CK3
4. The principles of climate change and biodiversity as relevant to design and construction.[Knowledge] CK4
5. The principles required to ensure that buildings are safe to construct, inhabit, use and maintain, refurbish, re-use and deconstruct.[Knowledge] CK7

Design

6. Understand the consequences of design decision making on value to clients and communities over the life-cycle of built projects and the costs to the environment.[Understanding] D7
7. Understand the implications and benefits of regenerative design solutions and ethical sourcing and supply chains throughout the life cycle of architectural projects that meet or go beyond minimum standards.[Understanding] D9

Research and Evaluation

8. LO8 Use techniques of research, enquiry and experimentation to develop effective solutions to architectural problems and to broaden their knowledge base.[Ability] RE1
9. LO9 Work with clients and other stakeholders to gain a mutual understanding of constraints and opportunities, identify immediate and long-term interests, set project agendas, define desirable and feasible project outcomes, and develop appropriate briefs for projects.[Understanding] RE2
10. LO10 Locate, evaluate and apply relevant legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and policies related to the development of the built environment. [Understanding] RE4
11. LO11 Locate and evaluate evidence that may be incomplete or contradictory, critically evaluating the quality of knowledge sources, making judgements and drawing appropriate conclusions that can inform architectural practice.[Ability] RE5

Management, Practice and Leadership

12. Make use of the principles of sustainable, responsible and ethical practice, and recognise how they relate to running an architect’s practice.[Knowledge] M1                                                  
13. Manage and structure projects, administer construction contracts and resolve common construction-related challenges.[Understanding] M4                                 
14. Manage the inter-relationships of individuals, organisations, statutory bodies, and professions involved in procuring and delivering architectural projects, recognising how these are defined through contractual and organisational structures.[Understanding] M5                                
15. Select appropriate procurement routes and means of delivery, recognising their relative risks to contractual parties, their implications for sustainable design outcomes and how these influence the selection and management of construction contracts.[Understanding] M6      
16. Apply the principles of risk management, liabilities, and insurance to architectural projects.[Understanding] M7        
17. Apply the principles of cost management, control, and budgeting to architectural projects.[Understanding] M8
18. Plan, manage, monitor and communicate health and safety arrangements for construction projects as required by current legislation.[Understanding] M9
19. Resource, plan, implement and record project tasks to achieve stated goals, either individually or within a team.[Understanding] M10                                               
20. Communicate effectively with both specialists and non-specialist audiences through a range of media.[Understanding] M11           

Professionalism and Ethics

21. Recognise the significance of the Architects Code of Conduct, and the need for architects to act always in an ethical and professional manner.[Knowledge] PE1
22. Display a committed approach to equity, diversity and inclusion, including in their approach to designing environments and in their relationships with colleagues, employees, clients and communities. [Ability] PE2
23. Work constructively with and within a broader team, exercising leadership, effective communication and personal responsibility.[Ability] PE3
24. Uphold the architect’s obligation to the environment, society, and the wellbeing and quality of lives of current and future generations.[Understanding] PE5                                         
25. Recognise the responsibilities and duties of care that architects have towards their clients, users, the public and those with whom they work.[Knowledge] PE6                                      
26. Adopt a reflective approach to their work by identifying individual learning needs required for further development within the profession, ensuring they are up to date with current standards and best practice.[Ability] PE7                                         
27. Acknowledge and work within the limits of their competence, expertise, and experience.[Knowledge] PE8

Module content

During the teaching period there will be a series of lectures, seminars and workshops on research methodology, professional skills, and architectural pedagogy with research- and practice-active lecturers and experts, preparing students for the writing of their Professional Resilience Report in Semester 1 as well as for the writing of the Dissertation (AAM RM) in year 2.

The module will be structured into the following topic areas:

1. Community & Architect Relations; Law, Planning Policy, Building Regulations.
2. Client & Architect Relations: Appointments, Brief writing, Programming, Cost.
3. Design Team & Architect Relations: Procurement, Contracts, Collaboration.
4. Contractor & Architect Relations: Building Contracts, Contract Administration, Health and Safety.
5. End User & Architect Relations: Inclusive Design, Learning from Design.
6. Creative Practice: Practice Management, Entrepreneurship and Identity.
7. Value of research in Practice and the Built Environment Industry
8. Research Methodologies and Development of Research Projects
9. Design Education & Pedagogy: first, through research in the field of higher education and, second, through practical observational experience with studio/module teaching in the undergraduate BScArchitecture programme.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Through a series of lectures, seminars, and workshops delivered by academics, practising architects, and industry professionals who have first-hand experience of the issues under discussion, students will explore topics that are essential to architectural practice, research, and pedagogy.

Individual and group tutorials, workshops as well as studio-based observational studies will offer a range of opportunities for learning. This will be backed up by resources for independent study on Blackboard (VLE).

Students will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of topics and research approaches to tailor their work to their own individual interests and to inform practical application and integration of the gained skills and knowledge into design studio work.

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

This module includes formative assessments from both lecturer(s) and peers participating in seminars, tutorials, and group discussions. Drafts of report will be submitted for formative feedback at key stages of the semester. 

Reassessment

Additional costs