AAMAD3: Architectural Design 3- Thesis Design

Module code: AAMAD3

Module provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment

Credits: 60

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Mr Oliver Froome-Lewis, email: o.froome-lewis@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 AAMRM AND TAKE AAMPS (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: 12 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This is the third and the last in a series of related postgraduate design modules that explores research-based architectural design processes. It provides students with the opportunity to define an individual design position in relation to a current architectural issue, supported by a relevant research theme and methodological framework defined by the ‘Design Research Unit’ (DRU). Students will develop a comprehensive individual design project grounded in the student’s own research and supported through tutorials as well as specialist consultations. The project may be linked to research conducted in Research Methods: Dissertation (AAM RM) and will be accompanied by a technical report to evidence an understanding of relevant technical issues. 

This module aims to provide students with key skills to develop an independent design project, a design thesis proposition, informed by relevant research, incorporating theoretical, methodological, and technical aspects as well as applying advanced skills in visual, written, and oral communication. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Evidence development of a conceptual, reflective and critical approach to architectural design by explaining and describing effectively the rationale behind larger and more complex architectural design proposals. (GA2.1)
2. 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
3. Demonstrate an ability to 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
4. 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 user; GC1.3
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the cultural, social and intellectual histories, theories and technologies that influence the design of buildings; GC2.1
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the influence of history and theory on the spatial, social, and technological aspects of architecture; GC2.2
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the application of appropriate theoretical concepts to studio design projects, demonstrating a reflective and critical approach. GC2.3
8. Demonstrate knowledge of current planning policy and development control legislation, including social, environmental, and economic aspects, and the relevance of these to design development. GC4.3
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the needs and aspirations of building users; GC 5.1
10. Demonstrate an understanding of the way in which buildings fit in to their local context; GC5.3
11. Demonstrate an understanding of the potential impact of building projects on existing and proposed communities; GC6.3

* Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to deliver accessible and inclusive buildings, places and spaces.

12. Demonstrate an understanding of the investigation, critical appraisal and selection of alternative structural, constructional and material systems relevant to architectural design; GC8.1
13. Demonstrate an understanding of strategies for building construction, and ability to integrate knowledge of structural principles and construction techniques; GC8.2
14. Demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties and characteristics of building materials, components and systems, and the environmental impact of specification choices; GC8.3
15. Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for building services, and ability to integrate these in a design project. GC9.3
16. Demonstrate the skills to prepare designs that will meet building users’ requirements and comply with UK legislation, appropriate performance standards and health and safety requirements. GC10.3
17. 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
18. 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
19. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate materials, processes and techniques that apply to complex architectural designs and building construction, and to integrate these into practicable design proposals; GA2.3
20. 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 apply appropriate strategies and methods for the development of a complex architectural design research proposal– the master’s Design Thesis. Students will identify an individual learning interest around a current architectural issue which will contribute to, or build on, the research themes identified by the School of Architecture. The proposal will be developed through the application of individually determined methodologies or approaches towards design research and will result in outcomes at various scales as appropriate to test individual hypotheses and speculations.  

The design research project will include an individually determined critical analysis and response to histories and theories of architecture, as applicable to the project. It will also include an individually defined critical analysis and response to the issues of architecture and technology, as applicable to the project. There will be a comprehensive contextual analysis of the brief, the context or site to justify the design proposition. 

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 their 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 120 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