AAMAD2: Architectural Design 2

Module code: AAMAD2

Module provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment

Credits: 40

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Penelope Plaza, email: p.plaza@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have an ARB Part-1 qualification. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE AAMAD1 AND TAKE AAMAT AND TAKE AAMSPR (Compulsory)

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 28 October 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The second in a series of related postgraduate design modules will be undertaken within a series of ‘Design Research Units’ (DRU) which build thematically on existing research and expertise within active research groups at UoR, providing an environment of applied research and debate. The module provides a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create, develop, evaluate, and communicate design proposals. Throughout this module, students will be able to apply and further develop skills and knowledge gained in the module Architectural Design 1 (AAM AD1). In addition, students will acquire skills to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, demonstrating an understanding of integrated approach to architectural design. 

The module aims to introduce specific approaches to project-based research, developing skills in analysing design problems, site issues, design precedents, and applying this knowledge to a design project in studio, enabling students to peruse their interest, express their positions, and consolidate their skills and knowledge. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an ability to 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 GC1.1 
2. Understand the constructional and structural systems, the environmental strategies and the regulatory requirements that apply to the design and construction of a comprehensive design project; GC1.2 
3. Demonstrate 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 use. GC1.3 
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the application of appropriate theoretical concepts to studio design projects, demonstrating a reflective and critical approach. GC2.3 
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the way in which buildings fit in to their local context; GC5.3 
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the need to critically review precedents relevant to the function, organisation and technological strategy of design proposals, GC7.1 
7. Demonstrate an ability to generate complex design proposals showing understanding of current architectural issues, originality in the application of subject knowledge and, where appropriate, to test new hypotheses and speculations, GA2.1 
8. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate and apply a comprehensive range of visual, oral and written media to test, analyse, critically appraise and explain design proposals; GA2.2 

Students will also develop a personal learning programme and be able to identify individual learning needs (GA2.7), gaining an understanding of the personal responsibility required for further professional education. 

Module content

Students will determine and explore appropriate strategies and methods for the development of an architectural design research project, building on, or contributing to, the active research themes at the School of Architecture. These projects will demonstrate a critical understanding of how knowledge is advanced through design research. 

The proposals will be at various scales, ranging from masterplans to building details, as appropriate to test students’ individual hypotheses and speculations, exploring the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural implications of design. The design project will evidence an understanding of the application of appropriate technical knowledge to propose a building project that demonstrates an understanding of strategies for building construction and ability to integrate knowledge of structural principles and construction technologies as well as relevant building services. 

Students will use a range of visual, oral, and written media as well as physical and computer modelling to test, analyse, critically appraise, and explain design proposals. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will predominantly be taught within a dynamic research-driven and project-based learning environment, by tutors working with small groups of students over the duration of a project. Students will generate integrated design proposals in studio, making use of workshop facilities and technical support. These activities will be supported by lectures, seminars, teamwork, and tutorials, which will incorporate review sessions, providing extensive opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. Students will be encouraged to explore and develop specific and individual methodologies of architectural representation and communication. 

Fieldwork/ trips within the UK and/or overseas will provide opportunities to explore the context of the design project and to develop skills in characterisation, site analysis and ‘design in situ.’ 

Study hours

At least 80 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 50% 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.

The development of your portfolio will be supported by formative (non-graded) assessment, including individual and group tutorials as well as project reviews, which will provide you with regular opportunities for feedback and reflection. A series of environmental design and structural design tutorials will run alongside the design studio sessions to support the development of your projects. 

Peer-to-peer feedback during workshops, group projects, and reviews will be encouraged. You will also be expected to engage in self-assessment through internalising learning outcomes by mapping your portfolio outputs against the RIBA/ARB learning criteria. 

Reassessment

Additional costs