AAMPS1-Professional Skills 1

Module Provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: AAMAD1 Architectural Design 1 and AAMRM1 Research Methods 1 and AAMAT Architectural Technologies
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Lorraine Farrelly
Email: l.farrelly@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The Professional Skills 1 module offers an overview of professional  landscapes, examining roles of the architect and built environment professionals as well as the nature of professionalism. The module will enable students to 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. The module will also examine the value of research and its impact upon the practice of architecture and the built environment industry.

Aims:

The aim of this module is to provide an overview of legal, professional and statutory responsibilities of the architect and their role in delivery of projects.

In addition, the module aims to develop career awareness and professional skills as well as a greater awareness of the value of research relevant to architectural practice and built environment industry.

Intended learning outcomes:

At the end of this module, students will have:

1. The skills necessary to undertake effective communication and presentation, organisation, self-management, reflection and autonomous working; GA2.7.


2. The necessary skills to demonstrate professionalism and competence. Behaving with integrity, in the ethical and professional manner appropriate to the role of architect;  GA2.6.


3. A knowledge of Practice management and entrepreneurship to equip them for a career in Architecture.


4. An understanding of the legal context within which an architect must operate, and the processes undertaken to ensure compliance with legal requirements or standards.


5. An understanding of project delivery from procurement to completion and handover.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of this module, students will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of professionalism and the duties and responsibilities of architects to clients, building users, constructors, co-professionals and the wider society; GC6.1


2. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the architect within the design team and construction industry, recognising the importance of current methods and trends in the construction of the built environment; GC 6.2


3. Demonstrate an understanding of the contributions of architects and co-professionals to the formulation of the brief, and the methods of investigation used in its preparation GC7.3


4. Demonstrate the skills to critically examine the financial factors implied in varying building types, constructional systems, and specification choices, and the impact of these on architectural design; GC 10.1


5. Demonstrate the skills to understand the cost control mechanisms which operate during the development of a project; GC 10.2


6. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental legal, professional and statutory responsibilities of the architect, and the organisations, regulations and procedures involved in the negotiation and approval of architectural designs, including land law, development control, building regulations and health and safety legislation; GC 11.1


7. Demonstrate knowledge of the professional inter-relationships of individuals and organisations involved in procuring and delivering architectural projects, and how these are defined through contractual and organisational structures; GC 11.2


8. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic management theories and business principles related to running both an architect’s practice; GC11.3


9. Understanding of the context of the architect and the construction industry, including the architect’s role in the processes of procurement and building production, and under legislation; GA 2.5

Additional outcomes:

At the end of this module, students will have:

1. The necessary skills to undertake effective communication and presentation, organisation, self-management, reflection and autonomous working; GA2.7


2. The necessary skills to demonstrate professionalism and competence, behaving with integrity, in the ethical and professional manner appropriate to the role of architect;  GA2.6


3. Knowledge of practice management and entrepreneurship to equip them for a career in Architecture; GC11.3


4. An understanding of the needs and aspirations of building users; GC 5.1


5. An understanding of the need to appraise and prepare building briefs of diverse scales and types, to define client and user requirements and their appropriateness to site and context; GC7.2


6. Problem solving skills, professional judgment, and ability to take the initiative and make appropriate decisions in complex and unpredictable circumstances; GA 2.6

Outline content:

Students will explore topics such as:

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.

Global context:

The skills and knowledge which the student will acquire from this module have universal application, however the legislative and policy based information will be based in the UK. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Through a series of lectures and workshops students will work on topics that are essential to the practice of architecture. This module will be  taught by practising architects and industry professionals who have first-hand experience of the issues under discussion. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	6	6
Tutorials	1	1
Supervised time in studio/workshop	6	6
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		5	5
Wider reading (directed)	5	5
Preparation for seminars	3	3
Completion of formative assessment tasks	16	16
Essay preparation			10
Reflection	3	3
Total hours by term	40	45	15
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A 

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Report of approximately 2.500-3.000 words

Formative assessment methods:

This module includes formative assessments from both lecturer(s) and peers participating in seminars, tutorials and group discussions. 

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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 50 % overall 

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by coursework to be completed 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