AA1DS2N: Design Studio Two

Module code: AA1DS2N

Module provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment

Credits: 40

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Mr Vsevolod Giorgi Kondratiev-Popov, email: v.s.kondratiev-popov@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE AA1VCA AND TAKE AA1HTI AND TAKE AA1DS1N AND TAKE AA1STI (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 12 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

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. 

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 year modules.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. 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. 
2. Describe through drawing and models the way in which buildings fit into their local context. 
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties and characteristics of building materials, components and systems and the environmental impact of specification choices. 
4. Communicate effectively by means of visual representations, and in oral and written. communication, well-considered and imaginative design proposals for design projects at a range of scales such as artefacts, rooms/spaces and simple buildings. 
5. Demonstrate capability in the effective application of traditional graphic and model-making techniques. 
6. Demonstrate ability to apply a range of communication methods and media to design proposals clearly and effectively. 

Students will also gain an awareness of the value of visualisation to support design development, evaluation and decision making, and an appreciation of the value of design studio in relation to teaching and learning activities. 

Module content

Students will undertake the design of small-scale building design projects, related to a range of scales and complexity. 
 
In addition, there will be an emphasis on understanding user needs; anthropometrics, comfort, access and scale. 

Structure

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 knowledge - sharing and collaboration, providing extensive opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. 

Study hours

At least 90 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

This module will include formative assessment related to tutorial/crit sessions. 

Reassessment

Additional costs