AA1VCA: Visualisation and Communication in Architectural Design: an Introduction

Module code: AA1VCA

Module provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Angeliki Sakellariou, email: a.sakellariou@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Laura Maftei, email: l.maftei@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE AA1HTI AND TAKE AA1DS1N AND TAKE AA1STI AND TAKE AA1DS2N (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 module provides the basis for understanding and applying concepts related to seeing, perceiving, representing, and communicating ideas.

It provides students with a grounding in practical and professional skills in the use of techniques and tools which enable visualisation, communication, and evaluation 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. It introduces students to a variety of manual making and computer-based tools which are used to develop, explore, animate, and simulate architectural designs. It enables students to assess the qualities and applications of different modes of representation, to select appropriate methods for different stages or aspects of design projects. 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 module is 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 principles of visualisation and communication in architectural design.
• Students will also acquire skills in the use of techniques including sketching, freehand drawing, technical drawing and model making. Students will become familiar with a range of computer-based tools, gaining familiarity with different data formats for designing, visualizing, and sharing information.
• Students will develop a sketchbook and record of their design thinking and skills development.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that 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.
3. Understand a range of manual-making and computer-based tools and their roles within the design process.
4. Use appropriate manual and computer-based tools to produce 2D- and 3D- project information.

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.

Module 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 modelling etc). 
5. Introduction to digital tools for design and representation (modelling, rendering, graphic design). 
6. Critical reflection on application and use of different representation methods. 

Structure

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, workshops and tutorials. Students will be encouraged to draw from observation. 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. 

Study hours

At least 50 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 tutorial sessions and formative submission. 

Reassessment

Additional costs