Module manager: Mr Justin Lunn ARB
Email: J.S.Lunn@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
The standard qualifications (or equivalent) set by the School of Civil Engineering for entry to any of its JBM accredited UG programmes.
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module will demonstrate the students' ability to create architectural designs that satisfy both aesthetic and technical requirements.
Knowledge developed in this module includes appreciation and understanding of advanced theoretical design concepts as applied to practical design consideration; further development of an understanding relating cultural and technological context to the built environment; a wider understanding of building types and precedent. There is also knowledge gained relating to statutory regulations including the processes of planning policy and building control, as well as a critical appraisal of structural, building physics and construction approaches.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject (contributing to the AHEP4 learning outcomes indicated between brackets and ARB competencies between square brackets):
1. Prepare and present a complex architectural design project, responding critically to a defined context and to a given outline brief, using a range of media [D1]. The project will consider ways in which diverse global, cultural, social, technological, economic factors and building technology influence aspects of architecture and urban design [CK1] (M7)
2. Show an understanding of the consequences of design decision making on value to clients and communities over the life-cycle of built projects and the costs to the environment [D7] using techniques of research, enquiry and experimentation to develop effective solutions to architectural problems and to broaden their knowledge base [RE1] (M4), showing an understanding of the needs of stakeholders in the development of appropriate briefs for projects [RE2 part] alongside the principles of sustainable, responsible and ethical practice [M1 part] (M5, M8)
3. Demonstrate a critical and creative approach to architectural design [D3] and prepare, appraise, refine and engage with a building brief, accounting for client, user, site, environmental and contextual requirements [D2], producing designs that integrate the artistic, spatial, environmental, social and experiential aspects of a building with the technical requirements of its construction [D4] including strategies for structure, construction technology, materials, services, ventilation, thermal environment and lighting and acoustics that are appropriate to the project’s brief and context [D5] (M6)
4. Produce a design that considers the relationship between people and built environment, between buildings and their context, and the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them to human needs, inclusivity, user experience and scale [D6], critically evaluating a diverse range of architectural precedents in order to inform design thinking [RE3] and considering the implications and benefits of working with existing buildings [D10]
5. Communicate effectively with both specialists and non-specialist audiences through a range of media. [M11 part]
6. Work constructively as an individual and within a broader team, exercising leadership, effective communication and personal responsibility, reflecting on own and the team’s performance [PE3] (M16)
Team working and collaboration in a creative context, individual graphic presentation skills, hand drawing, CAD modelling, building information modelling (BIM) and physical modelling skills. Site appraisal and precedent research skills.
Students undertake a short series of building design studies, in a given site context. Students undertake a context study to include an extended site analysis of a given urban area, including physical characteristics, social and policy setting and urban design analysis. A precedent study is carried out to investigate the characteristics and background to two different building types, typically a small scale public function such as a library, art gallery or community resource building.
Working individually, students investigate two building designs in sequence, for different building types on different given sites. Each design explores design proposals and presents interpretations of the given brief as outline building designs, so that form, layout, materiality and relation to context are shown, as well as explaining the theoretical concepts used to underpin the design schemes. Students produce drawings, models and illustrated reports to describe and explain their proposals.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group learning | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Lecture | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Tutorial | 10 | 3 | 30 |
| Private study hours | 258 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 42 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
Individual and group research for background studies, including: informal site surveys, precedent gathering from online, journal or book sources. Group and individual collation, analysis and critical evalulation of information. Group and individual development of creative design ideas, presentation materials.
Through regular small group and individual (1-to-1) tutorial sessions. Also through an interim review of the student's work carried out by the supervisory team of staff and students.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Site and precedent study, individual presentation boards and sketchbook | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Resit: 100% report.
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 09/05/2025
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