Architecture
The course is primarily based upon project work, some of it analytical, that engages with innovative problem solving and which grows in complexity as the course develops. Project work is supported by lectures in Environmental Science, Structures and Construction and Humanities. At first-year level, students’ initially undertake small scale design projects, advancing by stages to the design of a small building. At second-year level, students concentrate on the design of human settlements and their wider context. At third-year level, the urban context generates complex design projects that similarly develop problem-solving skills in aesthetics, planning, building construction and building performance.
Studio in years 3 & 4 are organised vertically, facilitating peer learning and efficient progression. The course accommodates and promotes live building projects. Learning is supported by field study trip opportunities and student exchange schemes.
The course aims to equip students for the contemporary challenges of design for the built environment, by encouraging a creative response to fast changing social, economic and environmental conditions. This course benefits from innovative knowledge inspired by areas of research in the School including sustainability, building technology, urban design and architectural history and theory.
Programme Objectives
- Produce highly qualified graduates with the sufficient knowledge and understanding of essential Architecture sciences and able to apply these essentials to solve any Architectural problems.
- Produce highly qualified graduates with the sufficient knowledge of the Architecture essential and the ability to apply these essentials and techniques to solve any planning and design problems.
- Produce highly qualified graduates with ability to solve Architectural problems including the ability to identify the work environment, safety, cost and possible hazards. In addition to the required skills to manage inspection process that guarantee the maximum positive outcomes.
- Produce highly qualified graduates with knowledge to understand the economical, social and environmental context to practice Architecture in a way that guarantees the evaluation of the sustainability and the consideration of legal and ethics issues.
Requirement and Business Practice
- There should be the required understanding of skills to practice Architecture including studio skills, use of scientific literature, awareness of intellectual property and the awareness of the quality and the technical work.
- Being responsible of academic and career development
Course Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
- Knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and methodology necessary to underpin their education in their Architectural discipline, to enable appreciation of its scientific and Architectural context, and to support their understanding of historical, current and future developments and technologies.
- Knowledge and understanding of mathematical principles necessary to underpin their education in Architectural discipline and to enable them to apply mathematical methods, tools and notations proficiently in the analysis and solution of Architectural problems.
- Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understand of other engineering disciplines to support study of their own engineering discipline.
Intellectual Skills
- Understanding of Architectural principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key Architectural processes.
- Ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of Architecture components through the use of analytical methods and modeling techniques.
- Ability to apply quantitative methods and computer software relevant to the Architecture discipline, in order to solve Architectural problems.
- Understanding of and ability to apply a systematic approach to Architectural problems and to work with uncertainty.
- Investigate and define a problem and identify constraints including environmental and sustainability limitation, health and safety and risk assessment issues.
- Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics.
- Identify and manage cost drivers.
- Use creativity to establish innovative solutions.
- Ensure fitness for purpose for all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal.
- Manage the design process and evaluate outcomes.
Professional and practical skills
- Knowledge and understanding of commercial and economic context of Architectural processes.
- Knowledge of management techniques which may be used to achieve Architectural objectives within that context.
- Understanding of the requirement for Architecture activities to promote sustainable development.
- Awareness of the framework of relevant legal requirements governing Architecture activities, including personnel, health, safety, and risk (including environmental risk).
- Understanding of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in Architecture.
Transferable / key skills
- Knowledge of characteristics of particular materials, equipment, processes, or products.
- Workshop and studio skills.
- Understanding of contexts in which Architecture knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology development, etc).
- Understanding use of technical literature and other information sources.
- Awareness of nature of intellectual property and contractual issues.
- Awareness of appropriate codes of practice and industry standards.
- Awareness of quality issues.
- Ability to work with technical uncertainty.
- Effective communication