Architecture BArch (Hons) degree

Aims of this module are to: 

• Develop core studio skills and good habits as a culture of critical collaboration; e.g. time management, organisation, teamwork, independent working.
• Explore spatial and architectural language through making, enabling an enhanced perspective of physical and meta-physical worlds.
• Investigate architectural qualities such as light, scale and proportion.
• Foster an appreciation of conceptual approaches to design.
• Consider the fundamental architectural relationships between space, human, activity and place.
• Examine the design brief through a series of design investigations.
• Apply a range of graphical and modelling techniques to represent their design intent.

The aims of this module are for students to:

• Enhance skills of observation, documentation and communication of characteristics of the material world that surrounds us.
• Demonstrate the use of a range of 2D and 3D manual and digital architectural representational techniques as a foundation to selecting appropriate forms of representation to communicate design intent in design studio.
• Engage in a series of design tasks to familiarise students with developing clear design concepts and narratives.
• Produce simple technical architectural drawings conforming to industry drawing conventions.
• Utilise a variety of visual and graphic methods of design analysis and synthesis to engender critical thinking and self-reflection.

A part aim for this module is to enable students to become aware of and develop their academic, professional and personal skills through Personal Best. Personal Best is a development programme available to all students at 含羞草视频. Support and guidance are provided to all Part A students to engage with skills and personal development through lectures and a dedicated app.

The aims of this module are for students to:

• Develop knowledge and understanding of the materials commonly used in construction projects; including an appreciation of their fundamental properties, their historic evolution, architectural importance and the conditions they are expected to accommodate.
• Appreciate basic principles of structural design and how these relate to architectural form and construction materials.
• Become familiar with fundamental types of building elements, building technologies and basic construction methods.
• Work independently and in a group on design problems and research-based activities.

The aims of this module are for students to:

• Acquire a broad knowledge of Building Science and in particular the fundamental skills needed to consider the environmental design of buildings.
• Discuss the influence of external climate on buildings and the role materials, form and construction can play on the environmental performance of buildings as a 'climatic modifier'.
• Examine environmental factors that influence human comfort (thermal, visual, acoustic and air quality) and how buildings can passively and actively be designed to modify these conditions - from vernacular precedents to modern technologies.
• Explore low energy and zero carbon design as integral design strategies.

This knowledge will prepare the student for contemporaneous design studies in Part A and for increasingly sophisticated design projects in Part B and thereafter.

The aims of this module are for students to:

• Acquire a broad knowledge of the history of architecture from prehistory through to the present as a reflection of stylistic, technological, social and theoretical influences and developments.
• Gain an understanding of architecture in different areas of the world in comparison to the European canon.
• Appreciate the creative interrelation of fine art, literature, philosophy, design and architecture.
• Explore research methods and techniques of observational and spatial analysis to critically review buildings and establish their histories.

This knowledge will prepare the student for Part B module Critical Theory (CVB078) where a critical approach to architectural theory will be taught.

The aims of this module are for students to:

• Build upon the knowledge and skills gained in Part A with projects of increasing scope and complexity that offer a variety of programmes and contexts for student learning.
• Improve their ability of translating ideas into spatial forms by working on projects of small to medium scale in context, with particular attention to issues of experiential and tectonic qualities.
• Integrate design ideas with architectural craftsmanship by emphasising the importance of design details, construction sequences and the relational dependencies between building elements.
• Apply building science principles and analysis to a set of design projects in regards to critical spatial inquiry on the relations of energy and space to understand, critique, and ultimately influence choices regarding energy options.
• Acquire an understanding and appreciation for the unique social and physical context for which they are designing.
• Explore qualities of public and private space.
• Develop a self-reflective approach to practice and document this as part of their personal learning experience.
• Employ collaborative practices and professional perspectives in cross disciplinary teams to plan and deliver a project.

This module builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in the Design Skills module (CVA056) taken in first year.

The aims of this module are for students to:

• Apply fundamental concepts and techniques in computational design.
• Fabricate component-based design using digital techniques.
• Develop basic BIM skills.
• Practice advanced forms of digital representation including virtual and augmented reality.

This module builds on the knowledge and principles acquired in the architectural technology module (A3) taken in first year.
The aims of this module are for students to:

• Reinforce previously learned structural principles and construction knowledge through exploratory design applications.
• Explore technology as a principal driver of form through practical and innovative applications of structural forms, envelope design and environmental technologies utilising hand-made and digital models.
• Use digital tools to conduct analysis to investigate (simulate) structural design proposals and the environmental performance of proposed building designs.

The aims of this module are for students to:

• Build upon the knowledge of the history of architecture learnt in module CVA059 through critical engagement with architectural theory and philosophy, as well as to be introduced to key aspects of urban theory.
• Explore and interrogate the theories of important architects and commentators in the modern through to contemporary period.
• Consider the general relevance and uses of theory and the interface between theory and practice.
• Understand the applicability of theories at different scales, including the fundamentals of urban theory and the discourse of city morphology.
• Understood the tropes and agendas of different types of theory, from philosophical disquisition through to pithy manifesto.
• Develop the ability and confidence to explain, appraise and critique theory and to formulate, present and defend their own theoretical approaches.

The aims of this module are for students to:

• Explore the context of Architecture as a discipline within the wider industries of property and construction.
• Introduce the role of the architect within the design team and the critical aspects of leadership, motivation, teamwork and ethical practice.
• Gain an understanding of the benefits of working with others and the importance of leading the engineering and other disciplines through the process of architectural design.
• Examine construction procurement methods and project organisational structures.
• Develop an understanding of continuous professional development and meet contemporary demands of sustainable outcomes and professional practice.

The aims of this module are for students to:

• Apply the knowledge and skills gained in Parts A, B and I to projects of increasing scope and complexity and offer a variety of programmes and contexts for student learning.
• Enhance their technical skills to produce a complete set of architectural drawings that illustrate all aspects of a building and communicate a sound understanding of the building's technical performance.
• Explain their awareness of the complex relationship between external form and interior space by proposing a group of buildings and their surrounding external spaces to engage issues of scale and landscape detailing.
• Articulate a personal approach to architecture, establishing ownership of their own design process through a comprehensive exploration of a design problem and ability to organize a personal programme of work to meet deadlines.
• Evaluate the impact of their proposed design on existing and proposed communities.
• Integrate their design aspiration with conflicting social, economic and environmental demands in a global and local context in relationship to the client, user and public.

The aims of this module are for students to:

• Familiarise themselves with specification writing.
• Be introduced to the added complexities of working with existing buildings.
• Experience presenting to a real client and working in a community environment.
• Apply technical and environmental solutions to improve the performance/conditions of an existing building.

The aims of this module are for students to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of research to overcome knowledge gaps and to interrogate interpretative assumptions.
• Synthesize data/information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of a research problem.
• Undertake the process of research by assuming individual responsibility to define and study a topic in a specialized area relating to architecture, including selection of an appropriate research method.
• Present rational arguments and draw independent conclusions based on a rigorous approach to collecting, analyzing and interpreting a proportionate amount of quantitative and/or qualitative data/information, whether numerical, discursive, theoretical, visual or spatial.

The aim of this module is to develop students' knowledge and understanding of the professional practice of architecture and how architectural business fits in to the wider society. The module covers a broad range of professional responsibilities for architects, including legal framework and processes, building procurement, business administration, and delivery of architectural services.