AA1VCI-Visualisation and Communication in Architectural Design £ An Introduction

Module Provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: AA1HTI History and Theory of Architecture: an Introduction AA1STI Construction Technology: an Introduction and AA1IPI Industry and Practice - the Business Context of Architecture
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Ms Amy Butt
Email: a.v.b.butt@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
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.

Aims:
Students will gain a working knowledge of basic principles of visualisation and communication in architectural design.

Students will also acquire skills in the use of techniques including sketching, freehand drawing and technical drawing, and will begin to explore computer modelling, and rendering. Students will over this course develop a sketchbook and develop a record of their design thinking and development associated with design studio.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of this module, students will be able to: 1. Apply graphic conventions and principles in effective visual representations of existing objects, buildings and places and of architectural design proposals; 2. Evaluate and select efficient and appropriate methods to represent information of varying complexity and format.

Additional outcomes:
Students will also gain an awareness of:

1. How theory, practice and technologies in visual communication shape and affect architectural design;

2. The creative application of visualisation and digital techniques to support design development, evaluation and decision making.

Outline content:
The module is structured into several topic areas:

1. Graphic and model-based representation of objects, building and places;
2. Introduction to 2D-representation and composition;
3. Introduction to 3D- representation;
4. Introduction to graphic techniques (including technical drawing, orthographic projection, diagramming, sketching another freehand drawing, digital modeling etc);
5. Introduction to digital tools for design and representation (modelling, rendering, graphic design).

Global context:
The skills and knowledge which the student will acquire from this module have universal application.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will predominantly involve the production of 2D- and 3D- representations by the students. Such activity is supported by lectures and tutorials. Students will be encouraged to draw from observation. Where appropriate, case studies and examples from practice will be used to focus and crystalise key concepts. The module will involve experimenting, evaluating, and choosing appropriate graphical techniques through both individual exploration and knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	15	5
Tutorials	15	5
Guided independent study:	50	10
Total hours by term	80	20
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Portfolio	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:
N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Submission of a portfolio of materials for assessment as described in detail in the module handbook at the commencement of the module.

Formative assessment methods:
This module will include formative assessment related to tutorial sessions.

Penalties for late submission:

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

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/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.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Students are required to contact the School to confirm reassessment arrangements.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:

2) Specialist equipment or materials:

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:

4) Printing and binding:

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 13 September 2021