Module manager: Mr Justin Lunn
Email: j.s.lunn@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
CIVE5845M
This module is not approved as a discovery module
In this module, students develop the concept scheme of a community resource building in an urban setting into a fully resolved design, improving their technical and creative mastery. The design process includes creating the concept scheme, its structural design, thermal modelling, and construction details. The module therefore integrates architecture, services, and structural engineering with environmental and construction aspects. Students learn to communicate their work using graphical elements, physical models and reports.
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. These appraisals of technologies are developed into specific proposals.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject (AHEP outcomes referenced between brackets, 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 critically 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 and engineering problems from sometimes uncertain sources (M2) 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), adopting a committed approach to equity, diversity and inclusion in designing environments [PE2 part] (M11)
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 and solutions for structure, construction technology, materials, services, ventilation, thermal environment and lighting and acoustics that are appropriate to the project’s brief and context and at the forefront of current knowledge [D5] (M1, M2, M6)
4. Propose a design solution that achieves or exceeds relevant performance standards and requirements [D8], locating, evaluating and applying relevant legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and policies related to the development of the built environment [RE4] including the principles of building construction, services, structure, materials use, assembly and manufacture [CK5]; of building physics and environmental design [CK6]
5. Show understanding of the architect’s obligations to the health and safety of the public and building users and building constructors [PE4] through an understanding of building safety and risk management principles to construct, inhabit, use and maintain, refurbish, re-use and deconstruct [CK7] (M9, M10) and demonstrate appropriate consideration of fire safety, life safety and wellbeing and inclusivity of users, the public and building constructors [D11] in the context of current legislation [M9 part]
6. 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] (M11), critically evaluating a diverse range of architectural precedents in order to inform design thinking [RE3]
7. Use appropriate digital systems for creating, modelling, processing, presenting, and sharing design, building and project information [D12], discussing the limitations of techniques (M3) communicating effectively with both specialists and non-specialist audiences through a range of media [M11 part] (M17) including physical modelmaking to investigate complex problems (M12)
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
a. Team working and collaboration in a creative context
b. individual graphic presentation skills
c. hand drawing
d. CAD modelling
e. building information modelling (BIM)
- Site analysis, considering historical, social, economic, architectural, urban design, planning, policy, and physical conditions like ground stability and flood risk.
- Precedent studies to inform detailed project brief and a concept scheme that integrates creative spatial, aesthetic, and technical aspects.
- Design elements: spatial and aesthetic organisation, structural considerations, building physics, health & safety, construction processes, and detailing.
- Detailed structural scheme and material specifications (incl. pre- or post-tensioned concrete, cable-supported roofing, curtain walling, structural glass, timber, masonry), stability strategies, foundation design and foundation types.
- Dynamic thermal models: heating and cooling loads, ventilation strategies, air supply, and overall energy performance.
- Integration of architectural aspects with construction process, environmental services, and structural engineering principles, including construction method statements and risk assessment.
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Seminar | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Tutorial | 22 | 2 | 44 |
| Private study hours | 390 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 60 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 450 | ||
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.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 09/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team