AA2DS4N: Design Studio Four

Module code: AA2DS4N

Module provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment

Credits: 40

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Mr Sayan Skandarajah, email: s.skandarajah@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE AA2IPR AND TAKE AA2STC AND TAKE AA2DS3N AND TAKE AA2HTC (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: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This is the fourth 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.

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.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that 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 community, 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

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.

Module 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. Public and private space; 
2. Wider societal concerns; 
3. Building in context;
4. Characterisation;
5. Wayfinding;
6. Placemaking.

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

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.

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’.

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