Year one
Design 1A
Year: 1
Design 1A introduces students to the practice of architecture, through core media, communication, research and design skills. Students are introduced to a new way of thinking, learning and working as part of the studio culture. Through the Design IA module, students are introduced to the 'unit system' of study, working with students across all year groups and with unit leaders.
Architectural Technology & Environment 1
Year: 1
Architectural Technology and Environment 1 introduces students to the technical side of architecture and the relationship between the built and natural environments. Sustainable design principles, climate response and the health of the environment and society are key themes driving the direction of this module.
Design Theory + Communication 1 (Elements).
Year: 1
The student entering an Architecture course might assume that there are immutable, basic rules about buildings and building design, even 'meaning' in Architecture. This module will help to lay out some of the basic rules/ concepts and critically engage and question them, enabling the student to give proper consideration to which basic concepts/ meanings/ rules/ skills etc. are most engaging and relevant for their own design practice.
Visual Culture
Year: 1
Through exploration of lectures, reading, building visits students develop awareness of the importance of testing, reflecting, questioning--trial and error-- to develop understanding of the layers associated with the current condition of visual culture. Exploring, discussing and debating history and theory, moving forward the frontiers, prepares students for engagement in architectural discursive practice.
Year two
Professional Context 1
Year: 2
The module will inform students about their role as an architect in the built environment and wider society. It will develop the students' professional skills, their ability act in a professional capacity and so enable them to play an effective role in a variety of processes within the construction industry.
Architectural Technology & Environment 2
Year: 2
This module enhances and extends the knowledge and understanding developed from the first year Architectural Technology and Environment module. More focus is provided on critical aspects of the building envelope and regulatory requirements and in particular building physics and environmental design. Sustainable design principles and climate response feature to a greater extent and are discussed in connection with the requirements of working in practice.
Design Theory and Communication 2 (Building)
Year: 2
An ethnography of architecture and urbanism is a critical methodology to be embraced in the making of places. This is because architecture and place should be more than a simulation of identity or the destruction of existing neighbourhoods in order to make way for new ones with a real 'sense of place'. If place offers a realm of conflicting simultaneity between ideal forms and performative tactics, then an anthropological approach offers the ability to understand how people enact places to reveal the cultural context, both to instil and destabilize beliefs and values, and to perpetuate and rebel against tradition (Wortham-Galvin, 2008). Using such an approach as a core design methodology allows places that appear permanent also to embrace the ephemeral nature of dwelling and being. It allows people to become equal partners with form and space in the making of place, instead of being subservient or non-existent to them.
Design 2
Year: 2
This project will explore the relationship between landscape and tectonic detail in the design of public space(s) and building(s), which combine a number of different uses and activities. Students will be required to strategically organize architectural elements and programs within the scope of a wider environment while being fully aware of the social, spatial and experiential consequences. The ability to move between scales in concept and artefact will be emphasised to allow students to develop an understanding of the construction, assembly, and materiality of detailed elements and how this integrates into an existing context.
Year three
International Academic Studies
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module provides an opportunity to undertake an extended period of study outside the UK and Republic of Ireland. Students will develop an enhanced understanding of the academic discipline whilst generating educational and cultural networks. Students will develop their subject area knowledge in urbanism, architecture, engineering and design.
Year four
Professional Context 2
Year: 4
The module building on Professional Context 1 and will further inform their knowledge of the wider construction sector and related processes to enhance the students' professional skills, develop their ability to act in a professional capacity to enable them play an effective role within the construction industry.
Design 3
Year: 4
Design III brings together all of the discrete elements learned in Yrs. 1 + 2, utilising the knowledge and skills gained to produce a sophisticated, well resolved architectural proposal, responding to site and the wider context, occupation, technical and environmental imperatives and the more esoteric issues of how we enjoy, appreciate and value the built artefact and how it can make a positive contribution to our environment.
Architectural Technology & Environment 3
Year: 4
This module aims to help the student deepen their appreciation and understanding of low-carbon, sustainable design strategies (environmental, structural and material) and informs each students emergent, personal design approach.
Design Theory and Communication 3 (Context)
Year: 4
This module develops and builds on the earlier related Design Theory and Communication modules by widening the awareness into the differing practices, positions and processes related the urban context principally what we call 'the city' but also the wider landscape, as the focus of ideas and societal and cultural values with which in turn to inform reflective design abilities and skills that shape and make buildings which contribute to the urban and landscape realm.
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