Module manager: Justin Lunn
Email:
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
An individual creative building design project, where students select their own site and brief for investigation and development into a comprehensive proposal.
This project allows students to explore and develop a focused and personal vision of architectural design, demonstrating a critical and evaluative approach to the formation of a brief in response to site conditions and the needs of users, and a sophisticated understanding of spatial, aesthetic and technological solutions. A theoretical as well as practical response is required which are demonstrated through detailed investigations and proposals.
1. Prepare and present a complex architectural design project, responding critically to a context and brief defined and developed by the individual, using a range of media (D1), planning, implementing and recording project tasks to achieve stated goals (M10). 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], the principles and relevance of social sustainability, social value and inclusive design (CK3) and the principles of climate change and biodiversity as relevant to design and construction (CK4)
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 clients and stakeholders in the analysis of constraints and opportunities, immediate and long-term interests, desirable and feasible project outcomes, developing appropriate briefs for projects (RE2) 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). The design should discuss life cycle issues including regenerative design solutions, ethical sourcing and supply chains. (D9)
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) Individuals should acknowledge and work within the limits of their competence, expertise, and experience (PE8)
6. Provide critical analysis of appropriate procurement routes and means of delivery, recognising their relative risks to contractual parties and their implications for sustainable design outcomes (M6) in the context of the principles of risk management, liabilities, and insurance to architectural projects (M7) as well as the principles of cost management to architectural projects (M8).
Students will develop an individual design proposal from inception to a resolved comprehensive and integrated scheme.
Working individually students will investigate and select a virtual client and idea for a design to meet user needs; investigate and evaluate site options; develop a feasibility study to allow selection of a site; develop detailed proposals for the project brief and then design proposals for the virtual client.
From an interim concept stage, detailed scheme proposals will be developed, including considerations for structure, building services, construction and lifespan. Evaluations of cost/benefit as well as impacts on the environment will be part of the design process and final submissions.
The developed scheme will include reflective appraisals of these and other factors, communicated using digital and other media to be understandable to expert and non-expert audiences.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 30 | 1 | 30 |
| Lecture | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Seminar | 4 | 5 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 544 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 56 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 600 | ||
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.
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team