Architectural Studies

This module introduces architectural design, communication and study skills. Through small-scale design projects that explore the relationship between people, buildings, climate and context you'll engage with project briefs that introduce you to sense of place, materiality, structure and respond to the local climate. Projects will be set within contrasting regional locations and will introduce, address and explore a range of contrasting social, environmental and economic factors.

This module develops and fosters your understanding architectural design, communication and study skills. Through more complex small-scale design projects exploring the relationship between people, buildings, climate and context you'll develop proposals responding to project briefs that communicate a sense of place, materiality, structure and respond to the local climate. Projects will be set within contrasting regional locations and will introduce, address and explore a range of contrasting social, spatial, environmental and cultural factors.

This module will introduce you to the fundamental principles of structures, construction, environmental science and materials.

The module will introduce you to the principles of architectural theory towards an analysis of architectural history. Not from the typical historian perspective that relies upon allegories and arguments that are concerned with how one thing follows another but from a unique architectural point of view that deals with the present as a starting point where the past functions more as a precedent.

This module aims to build work produced in the first year, whilst increasing the breadth and depth of your thinking and indeed the quality of work produced. The themes for the module include local identity, community and urban design, contrasted with specific speculative and international themes. You'll work as a team member and as an individual to develop and explore their critical thinking, problem solving and other key skills, such as verbal communication and drawing techniques context, conservation, scale and redevelopment issues.

This module will increase the core content whilst also seeking to in still a philosophy of the added value of design to that undertaken in the AO2100 design module. You'll address the various stages of the design development process taking into account wider issues such as health and safety, sustainability, technical and construction constraints that might apply as well as professional and associated professional considerations. 

This module will advance the concepts and theories introduced at level 4 to equip you with transferable skills to investigate and critically appraise alternative structural, constructional, material systems and environmental strategies relevant to architectural design. You'll explore the inter-relationship between aesthetic aspects of architectural design, technical requirements of construction and the needs of the user. 

This module will provide more specific emphasis to the principles of architectural theory via this an analysis of architectural history; this is not presented in the form of a historical survey. The module reinforces the position of the architect in the present and thus intends to introduce you to the various ways by which history affects architects and theory, whilst not covering a vast range of architectural history the module covers the Renaissance, Baroque and Rocco periods in Britain and its origins in Italy by means of building visits and an optional foreign field trip and related lectures and seminars.

The module will seek to offer opportunities for both architectural exploration prior to the final thesis design to follow and consolidation in relation to the projects undertaken in Year 2. The emphasis will be on similar scheme sizes than previously encountered located in urban centres. The focus will relate detail, construction and structure, materiality, engaging with tectonics and aesthetic aspects of architectural design in an urban environment. Together with the consideration inherent contextual issues and planning constraints.

The module provides a vehicle to illustrate the design thesis AO3200 as a culmination of the knowledge skill and ability of the course. This rigorous and comprehensive design embodies all aspects of architectural design producing an appropriate and enriching environment, which instils a Genius Loci and also contributes to the discourse of contemporary architecture.

This module will encourage you to develop your skills in project management as well as procedures for managing a practice. You will develop an understanding of your role as an architect in the context of the dynamic construction industry and to consider concepts of quality, value and excellence in project delivery.

In this module, you'll learn detailed construction design in line with architectural principles and precedents. You'll enhance your learning by building case studies and reviewing construction exercises.