Aims

The module aims to develop advanced design skills through undertaking a single, complex design project. The project is termed the Design Thesis. The module acts as the opening stage of this project, with ARC8000 Advanced Architectural Design 3 the resolution stage of the Design Thesis. This longer duration is intended to allow students to explore design ideas in relation to contemporary architectural issues, situations and research.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module takes a critical approach to design that develops material practices alongside sophisticated and cutting-edge techniques. Project briefs are urban in nature and in general ask students to locate their own sites, key research ideas, and representational strategies and use these to develop a Design Thesis. As the 'opening' stage of a design project that spans two modules (ARC8110 and ARC8000), the emphasis of the semester is on establishing these core research and representational strategies in response to the design brief.

The module is made up of two components, as follows:

1.Thesis Document: A collation of research and design ideas, site strategies, and reflective writing.

2.A Design Studio organised into separate design projects each with a particular emphasis and challenge. These aim to develop a critical awareness of a range of contemporary issues in architecture, sustainable design, urban design, and encourage students to research, develop, test and articulate their own particular standpoint. Design projects seek to develop graphic skills and encourage an imaginative approach to design and its representation. Projects will generally be individual work (although self-selected collaborations are possible and encouraged) and will engage students in a creative dialogue with staff and their peers.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The design studio is the integrative environment where students synthesize knowledge from other modules and develop their understanding and skills in the context of a design problem set by tutors. Students are supported in their learning through briefings, lectures, group tutorials and critical reviews. Tutorials and reviews are also the principle means through which students receive feedback on their progress.

If the public health situation makes present in person teaching impossible, design tutorials, reviews, and the module introduction will all be taught online.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Thesis Document collates the work undertaken this semester, including extensive research not able to be fully demonstrated in the traditional design review. It demonstrates engagement with research, alongside developing representational skills.

The development of design skills is assessed through the traditional method of critical review, where students give a visual and oral presentation of their work to an audience of tutors and peers. The work is discussed and the tutors assess the work against the criteria set out in the project brief. These marks are moderated by another tutor or tutors. Feedback is given orally during the review and as a set of written comments later.