AA2DS4-Architecture Design £ Skills in Architectural Design 2

Module Provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Mr Sayan Skandarajah
Email: s.skandarajah@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
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.

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 more complex design activities;


4. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of house, home, locality and neighbourhood;


5. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of building in context, characterisation, wayfinding and placemaking, and the importance of both buildings and spaces in architectural design.


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


7. 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


8. Demonstrate an understanding of constructional and structural systems, environmental strategies and regulatory requirements that apply to the design and construction of a comprehensive design project;GC 1.2


9. Develop a conceptual and critical approach to architectural design that 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


10. Prepare designs that will meet building users' requirements and comply with UK legislation, appropriate performance standards and health and safety requirements; GC 10.3


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


12. Demonstrate understanding of strategies for building construction, and ability to integrate knowledge of structural principles and construction techniques; GC 8.2


13. Demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties and characteristics of building materials, components and systems, and the environmental impact of specification choices. GC 8.3

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 small complex of buildings and/or building of medium complexity and size.

Opportunities will also be sought to engage students in live projects either in the UK or overseas and in competitions (such as that run by TRADA).

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 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		16.5	5.5
Tutorials		36	12
Supervised time in studio/workshop		37.5	12.5
Fieldwork		30	10
Guided independent study:		180	60
Total hours by term	0	300	100
Total hours for module	400

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 by 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: 22 September 2022