AA2DS3-Architecture Design £ Skills in Architectural Design 1

Module Provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Penelope Plaza
Email: p.plaza@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
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.

Aims:
The module aims to develop students£ design skills and creativity and to provide opportunities to apply knowledge and skills developed from teaching and learning activities within other first and second year modules, notably the Visualisation and Communication modules.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

1. Communicate effectively by means of visual representations, and oral and written communication, well-considered and imaginative design proposals for projects such as small/medium buildings and groups of buildings;

2. Demonstrate capability in the effective application of traditional and digital graphic and model-making techniques to more complex projects;

3. Understand and explain the importance of defining and meeting the requirements of individual users and other stakeholders in complex design activities;

4.Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of building in context, characterisation and placemaking, and of the importance of both building and spaces in architectural design;

5. Demonstrate an understanding of and an ability to use various analytical tools and techniques related to building in a particular location;

6. Prepare and present building design projects of diverse scale, complexity, and type in a variety of contexts, using a range of media, and in response to a brief; GC 1.1

7. Understand the constructional and structural systems,. the environmental strategies and the regulatory requirements that apply to the design and construction of a comprehensive design project; GC 1.2

8. Develop a conceptual and critical approach to architectural designthat integrates and satisfies the aesthetic aspects of a building and the technical requirements of its construction and the needs of the user; GC 1.3

9. Demonstrate an understanding of the way in which buildings fit into their local context; GC 5.3

10. Demonstrate ability to apply a range of communication methods and media to design proposals clearly and effectively. GA 1.2

Additional outcomes:
Students will also increase their awareness of the value of visualisation to support design development, evaluation and decision making, and their appreciation of the value of design studio in relation to teaching and learning activities.

Outline content:
Students will undertake the design of projects, typically related to a living space in an urban context;

Students will also explore topics such as;
1. House and home;
2. The house in the city;
3. Building in context;
4. Characterisation;
5. Wayfinding;
6. Placemaking.

They will also explore a range of analytical tools and other techniques relevant to designing in context.

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 be taught within the studio environment by tutors working with small groups of students over the duration of a project. Students will generate design proposals in studio, making use of workshop facilities and technical support. Such activities are supported by lectures, and tutorials which will incorporate £crit£ sessions . The module will involve experimentation and the development of design proposals and visual representations both by individual exploration and kn owledge- sharing and collaboration, providing extensive opportunities for peer to peer learning.

Analytical tools and other techniques will be used to develop problem-solving and design skills.

Fieldwork/ trips within the UK and/or overseas will provide opportunities to explore the context of a design project and to develop skills in characterisation, site analysis and £designing in situ.£

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	12
Tutorials	12
Supervised time in studio/workshop	48
Fieldwork	21
Guided independent study:	107
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

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/crit 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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:
Reassessment will be coursework to be completed by August/September.

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: 19 December 2022