BSc Architecture

Title:

Architecture and Design - An Introduction to Studio

Code:

AA1DS1

Convenor:

MS Amy Butt

Summary:

This is the first in a series of related design modules. It provides an introduction to architectural design and to working in a studio environment. There will be opportunities for the creative application of skills and knowledge gained across the undergraduate curriculum to a range of 3D design projects. It will introduce students to three dimensional thinking around space, form and architectural design. Students will develop skills including sketching, freehand drawing, technical drawing and model-making to explore and develop their design capabilities.

Assessment Method:

Portfolio 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Architecture and Design - An Introduction to Site

Code:

AA1DS2

Convenor:

DR Penelope Plaza

Summary:

This is the second in a series of related design modules. It provides an introduction to architecture and the idea of the site and placing architecture in context. It provides opportunities for the creative application of skills and knowledge gained across the undergraduate curriculum to simple design projects. Students will further develop skills including sketching, freehand drawing, technical drawing and model-making to explore and develop their design capabilities.

Assessment Method:

Portfolio 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

History and Theory of Architecture: an Introduction

Code:

AA1HTI

Convenor:

DR Stephen Gage

Summary:

This module provides an introduction to key concepts related to the history and theory of architecture. It is the first in a series of modules which relate to this subject area, to be provided over three years within the Architecture programme, and is closely related to other modules including the first year design modules. It may also be of relevance to other programmes.The module introduces ideas that inform architectural thinking around the theories and history of architecture. It will include a range of subjects from development of cities and civilisations, to understanding other aspects of culture and society that surround and inform contemporary architecture. There will be references to aspects of the architecture. These ideas and theories will inform the design studio work implicitly and explicitly. The scale of examples considered in this first year module include examples of the ‘building’, and the ‘body in space ‘to align within the scale of work developed by students in the design studio module.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Industry and Practice - the Business Context of Architecture

Code:

AA1IPI

Convenor:

MR Darren Bray

Summary:

This module is the first in a series of three modules, each covering different aspects of the industrial, policy and business contexts of architecture, to be provided over the three years of the architecture course. Elements of this module may be common to modules for other programmes. To be effective in the workplace, architects need to understand:

1. The industry context – including the importance of the construction and property industries to society and to the economy; the government policy dimension; how these industries function in practice; the architectural profession (role; concepts of professionalism; professional institutions, etc) (Year 1 – this module);

2. The business of projects – including the project-based nature of construction; current project management and procurement practices; the prevailing legal and contractual frameworks for construction and architecture (Year 2);

3. The business of architecture – including practice/office management (covering Business Development, HR, Finance and IT/knowledge management issues); design (process) management; terms of engagement (including liabilities, insurances, etc) (Year 3).

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Construction Technology: an Introduction

Code:

AA1STI

Convenor:

MR Mike Kane

Summary:

This module provides an introduction to key concepts related to materials, structures, construction technologies, environmental science and services relevant to the design of buildings. It is the first in a series of related science and technology modules, to be provided over three years within the Architecture programme, and is closely related to other modules including the studio-based part of the curriculum. It may also be of relevance to other programmes.

Assessment Method:

Report 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Visualisation and Communication in Architectural Design – An Introduction

Code:

AA1VCI

Convenor:

MS Amy Butt

Summary:

This module provides the basis for understanding and applying concepts related to seeing, perceiving, representing and communicating ideas. It also provides students with a grounding in practical and professional skills in the use of techniques and tools which enable visualisation, communication and evaluation of the nature of existing objects, buildings and places, and of architectural design proposals, at various stages of the design process, by means of two- and three-dimensional representations. The complex and collaborative nature of architectural design necessitates mastery of such skills to communicate and enable evaluation of design ideas throughout the design process.This is the first in a series of three related modules which relate to visualisation and communication in architectural design. These modules are closely related to other modules including the studio-based part of the curriculum. Starting with mastery of traditional graphic techniques, and progressing to acquisition of skills relating to use of advanced visualization and digital tools, students will acquire graphical, spatial, and communication skills, which will be applied in project-based course work in this and related modules.

Assessment Method:

Portfolio 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Architecture Design – Skills in Architectural Design 1

Code:

AA2DS3

Convenor:

DR Carolina Vasilikou

Summary:

This is the third in a series of related design modules. It provides opportunities to develop creativity and design skills within a studio environment and for students to apply skills and knowledge gained across the undergraduate curriculum to more complex design projects. Students will develop skills including sketching, freehand drawing, technical drawing and model-making as well as skills related to the use of digital technologies to explore and develop their design capabilities.

Assessment Method:

Portfolio 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Architecture Design – Skills in Architectural Design 2

Code:

AA2DS4

Convenor:

MR Sayan Skandarajah

Summary:

This is the forth in a series of related design modules. It provides opportunities to develop creativity and design skills within a studio environment and for students to apply skills and knowledge gained across the undergraduate curriculum to more complex design projects. Students will utilise skills including sketching, freehand drawing, technical drawing and model-making as well as skills related to the use of digital technologies to explore and develop their design capabilities.

Assessment Method:

Portfolio 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

History and Theory of Architecture: Buildings and Places

Code:

AA2HTC

Convenor:

DR Stephen Gage

Summary:

This module is the second in a series of modules which relate to the history and theory of architecture, to be provided over three years within the Architecture programme. It is closely related to other modules including second year design modules. Modules will explore how different civilisations/societies responded to a changing physical, socio-political, legal, cultural, technological, industrial and economic context. The scale of examples considered in this second year module will generally be at a local level – at the scale of buildings, groups of buildings, neighborhoods and communities, to align within the scale of projects undertaken by students in the second year design studio module.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Industry and Practice - the Business of Projects

Code:

AA2IPC

Convenor:

MRS Louise Humphreys

Summary:

This module is the second in a series of three modules, each covering different aspects of the industrial, policy and business contexts of architecture, to be provided over the three years of the architecture course. To be effective in the workplace, architects need to understand:

1. The industry context – including the importance of the construction and property industries to society and to the economy; the government policy dimension; how these industries function in practice; the architectural profession (role; concepts of professionalism; professional institutions, etc) (Year 1);
2. The business of projects – including the project-based nature of construction; current project management and procurement practices; the prevailing legal and contractual frameworks for construction and architecture (Year 2 – this module);
3. The business of architecture – including practice/office management (covering Business Development, HR, Finance and IT/knowledge management issues); design (process) management; terms of engagement (including liabilities, insurances, etc) (Year 3). Elements of this module may be common to modules for other programmes.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Project 50%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Construction Technology: Core Studies

Code:

AA2STC

Convenor:

DR Carolina Vasilikou

Summary:

This module builds on concepts introduced in first year relating to materials, structures, construction technologies, environmental science and services relevant to the design of buildings and groups of buildings. It is the second in a series of related science and technology modules, provided over three years within the Architecture programme, and is closely related to other modules including the studio- based part of the curriculum. It may also be of relevance to other programmes: elements of the module or the module as a whole may be common to other programmes.

Assessment Method:

Report 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Visualisation and Communication in Architectural Design – Digital Media

Code:

AA2VCC

Convenor:

DR Laura Maftei

Summary:

This is the second in a series of three related modules which relate to visualisation and communication in architectural design. These modules are closely related to other modules including the studio-based part of the curriculum. Over three years, starting with mastery of traditional graphic techniques, and progressing to acquisition of skills relating to use of advanced visualisation and digital tools, students will acquire graphical, spatial, and communication skills, which will be applied in project-based course work in this and related modules.This module introduces students to more advanced visual and collaborative technologies, developing essential practical and professional skills in the use of techniques and tools which enable visualisation, communication and evaluation of design proposals at various stages of the design process.Architectural design must meet an array of functional, and aesthetic requirements: this module introduces students to a variety of computer-based tools which are used to develop, explore, animate, and simulate the appearance and /or performance of architectural designs. The concept of architectural design as a collaborative activity is placed in the context of building information modelling (BIM).

Assessment Method:

Project 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Architecture Design –Complexity

Code:

AA3DS5

Convenor:

MR Oliver Froome-Lewis

Summary:

This is the fifth in a series of related design modules. It provides opportunities to develop creativity and design skills within a studio environment and for students to apply skills and knowledge gained across the undergraduate curriculum to design projects of increasing complexity. Students will utilise traditional skills as well as skills related to the use of digital technologies to explore and develop their design capabilities.

Assessment Method:

Portfolio 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Architecture Design –Integration

Code:

AA3DS6

Convenor:

MR Oliver Froome-Lewis

Summary:

This is the sixth in a series of related design modules. It provides opportunities to develop creativity and design skills within a studio environment and for students to apply skills and knowledge gained across the undergraduate curriculum to design projects of increasing complexity. Students will utilise traditional skills as well as skills related to the use of digital technologies to explore and develop their design capabilities.

Assessment Method:

Portfolio 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

History and Theory of Architecture: Critical writing

Code:

AA3HTA

Convenor:

DR Penelope Plaza

Summary:

This module is a third year optional module within a series of modules which relate to the history and theory of architecture, to be provided over three years within the Architecture programme. It is closely related to other modules including the third year design module. All architecture and design whether at the scale of a room, a building or a city plan, needs to be informed by a rigorous research and understanding of precedent both historical and cultural and of a current societal issues related to architecture and the built environment. This module will engage students in a discourse connected to architecture, so that a piece of structured critical writing is developed that will inform subsequent design work in the studio.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Industry and Practice – the Business and Practice of Architecture

Code:

AA3IPA

Convenor:

DR Izabela Wieczorek

Summary:

This module is the third in a series of three modules, each covering different aspects of the industrial, policy and business contexts of architecture, to be provided over the three years of the architecture course. To be effective in the workplace, architects need to understand:

1. The industry context – including the importance of the construction and property industries to society and to the economy; the government policy dimension; how these industries function in practice; the architectural profession (role; concepts of professionalism; professional institutions, etc) (Year 1);
2. The business of projects – including the project-based nature of construction; current project management and procurement practices; the prevailing legal and contractual frameworks for construction and architecture (Year 2);
3. The business and practice of architecture – including practice/office management (covering Business Development, HR, Finance and IT/knowledge management issues); design (process) management; terms of engagement (including liabilities, insurances, etc) (Year 3 – this module). Elements of this module may be common to modules of other programmes.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Project 50%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Construction Technology: Integration

Code:

AA3SCA

Convenor:

DR John Harding

Summary:

This module is a third year compulsory module within a series of related science and technology modules, to be provided over three years within the Architecture programme, and is closely related to other modules including the studio-based part of the curriculum.  It may also be of relevance to other programmes: elements of the module or the module as a whole may be common to other programmes.
Building on first and second-year modules, it explores the environmental and socio- political implications of design and specification choices, as well as the financial implications of such choices. It also explores issues relating to buildability; and to the evaluation of buildings in use.

Assessment Method:

Project 50%, Report 50%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Industry and Practice – Career Development

Code:

AA3IPP

Convenor:

MRS Louise Humphreys

Summary:

This module compliments notions of practice in schools of architecture gained from core first and second year modules, augmenting notions of practice, alternative practice and of potential future directions in practice.

Assessment Method:

Oral 20%, Portfolio 80%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Reflective and Explorative Making in Architecture

Code:

AA3RXM

Convenor:

MR Sayan Skandarajah

Summary:

This module encourages students to develop their own critical stance towards the design process in architecture, allowing the act of making to inform and develop ideas rather than simply convey them. We will explore how a creative attitude towards the use of media, techniques and narratives drive an architectural process that contains iterative rigour. The module will build on and extend ways of physical model making through applied skills and ask the student to respond imaginatively through their own unique sustained outcome. Students will be asked to situate their approach within the broader context of theoretical and architectural design practice.

Assessment Method:

Portfolio 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Human Resource Management in Construction

Code:

CE3HRM

Convenor:

DR Florence Phua

Summary:

Effective human resource management (HRM) contributes significantly to overall organizational performance. It is no different in the construction industry People are a key source of a firm’s competitive advantage and so, the processes, practices, and implications of HRM must be considered seriously. However, due to a range of practical pressures and factors that are either associated with or embedded within the industry, the vital role of HRM in construction is often overlooked.  The module will cover the essential elements of HRM and their implementation in the UK construction industry. It draws substantially on HRM concepts, theories and practices from different industries to facilitate understanding of the issues and concerns that are applicable to both construction and non-construction firms. It will explain and clarify how an informed, well-structured and participative approach to HRM can deliver substantial benefits to all stakeholders: employers and employees as well as their shareholders and clients.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Management of Construction Projects

Code:

CE3CME

Convenor:

DR Graeme Larsen

Summary:

This module aims to provide the knowledge and skills to understand the different approaches to managing construction projects. Using the systems approach as a touchstone, the module covers the key ingredients of project management such as the principle roles, briefing, managing the client and the team, understanding the structural choices and the contextual setting, whilst emphasising the softer skills required. The module therefore provides an over-arching understanding of the processes of project management and the competencies of a project manager.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Oral 20%

Disclaimer:

Title:

Sustainability

Code:

CE3CS1

Convenor:

DR Katherine Hyde

Summary:

The Sustainability Module challenges students studying Construction Management and Engineering to develop their understanding of the meaning of sustainability in the context of interdependent built and natural environments. The Module prepares students for the day-to-day challenges of implementing innovative and sustainable infrastructure, buildings, technologies and mitigation, and exploring solutions towards improving urban resource efficiency. Case studies are included in the Module that are developed during individual and/or group work.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Oral 30%

Disclaimer: