AAMAT: Architectural Technologies

Module code: AAMAT

Module provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr John Harding, email: j.e.harding@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 AAMAD2 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: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is a first-year compulsory postgraduate module to be provided within the Part 2 architectural programme. The module aims to provide the core principles of architectural technology and their application in practice, exploring the environmental and socio-cultural implications of design and specification. With a particular emphasis on environmental, social, economic, and cultural resilience, the module aims to equip students with necessary skills, tools, and knowledge to address climate change. 

Set over several key themes, students will develop a wide knowledge and understanding of architectural technology and its implications via individually driven research projects, tutor-led workshops, and evidencing direct integration into studio work in Architectural Design 2 (AAMAD2). The skills gained in this module will be applied and evidenced in an integrated project developed in Architectural Design 3: Design Thesis (AAMAD3) in year 2. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Understand and be able to describe, using appropriate vocabulary, aspects of the subject areas outlined below, and will be able to demonstrate the application of this knowledge and understanding in experimental work and assignments. GC9.1; GC9.2; GC10.1; GC10.2.
2. Demonstrate in assignments skills that show an understanding of the wider implications of architectural technology. Such skills underpin a conceptual and critical approach to architectural design that integrate and satisfies the aesthetic aspects of a design and the technical requirements of its construction and the needs of the user within the precepts of sustainability and ethical practice. GC5.2; GC9.1; GC9.2; GC9.3; GC10.1; GC10.2.
3. Demonstrate in assignments the development of their understanding of novel materials, processes and techniques that apply to architectural design and building construction using modern developments in digital technology. GC9.1; GC9.2; GC9.3; GC10.1; GC10.2.
4. Demonstrate in assignments an ability to undertake investigative work, and critically evaluate suitable precedents using modelling and a range of evaluation techniques. GC9.1; GC9.2; GC9.3.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the investigation, critical appraisal, and selection of alternative structural, constructional, environmental, and material systems relevant to architectural design. GC 8.2, GC 8.3.
6. Develop their awareness of the needs and aspirations of building users in relation to the science and technology of architecture. And this understanding will be applied to their own individual research projects. GA2.3.
7. Evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions in order to make and present sound judgments within a structured discourse relating to architectural culture, theory and design. GA2.4.

Additionally, students will be expected to have developed an understanding of relationships between science and technology and the history, theory, and practice of architectural design; and relationships between people, buildings, and the environment. GC9.1; GC9.2; GC9.3.  They will also have developed an understanding of the wider implications of architectural technologies, and the duties of architects and designers to clients, users and wider society. GC10.1; GC10.2.

Module content

The module is structured around several topic areas: 

• Making responsible design and specification choices: the environmental and socio-political implications of design decisions. 
• Integrating multiple architectural technologies in individual projects, including environmental, structural and material concerns. 
• Advances in digital and computational design techniques. 
• Designing with the user for human comfort and well-being in outdoor/indoor environments 
• Individual research projects, workshops and integration of learning into studio design projects. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will be delivered by means of lectures (including guest lectures from relevant specialists), group discussion seminars, workshops (some of which computer based) and individual tutorials. These timetabled sessions will be complemented by guided independent study and studio-based project work within related modules. 

Study hours

At least 40 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.

Individual tutorials on studio integration will be provided throughout the module. In addition, group discussion sessions during workshops and research tasks will provide formative feedback to help guide you in meeting the module learning outcomes. 

At the end of the Semester 1, you will be expected to formally submit outputs related to content of the module covered in Semester 1 for formative feedback.

Reassessment

Additional costs