AA1IPI-Industry and Practice - the Business Context of Architecture

Module Provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: AA1HTI History and Theory of Architecture: an Introduction AA1VCI Visualisation and Communication in Architectural Design ô€€– An Introduction AA1DS1 Architecture and Design - An Introduction to Studio AA1STI Construction Technology: an Introduction and AA1DS2 Architecture and Design - An Introduction to Site
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Mr Arjun Rajah
Email: a.d.rajah@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is the first in a series of three modules, each covering different aspects of the industrial, policy and business contexts of architecture, to be provided over the three years of the architecture course. Elements of this module may be common to modules for other programmes. To be effective in the workplace, architects need to understand:

1. The industry context – including the importance of the construction and property industries to society and to the economy; the government policy dimension; how these industries function in practice; the architectural profession (role; concepts of professionalism; professional institutions, etc) (Year 1 – this module);

2. The business of projects – including the project-based nature of construction; current project management and procurement practices; the prevailing legal and contractual frameworks for construction and architecture (Year 2);

3. The business of architecture – including practice/office management (covering Business Development, HR, Finance and IT/knowledge management issues); design (process) management; terms of engagement (including liabilities, insurances, etc) (Year 3).

Aims:

This module aims to equip students with a good understanding of the social, economic and environmental significance of the property and construction industries, in both descriptive and analytical terms. Further, it helps students to understand the role of construction and property in government policy, and also how the construction and property industries function in terms of the nature and role of the key participants in the process.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of this module, students will be able to demonstrate via written assignments and in examination:

1. An understanding of the significance of the construction and property sectors in social, economic and environmental terms through the use of a range of descriptive and analytical frameworks;

2. An understanding of property development, and of construction and building maintenance processes in terms of the purpose and nature of demand for constr uction, and the identities and roles of the key participants.

3. A basic knowledge of current planning policy and development control legislation including social, environmental and economic aspects, and the relevance of these to design development

4. An understanding of the importance of construction and architecture in policy terms, and an awareness of some of the potential implications of current and recent policy initiatives (e.g. in 2013/14 the Constr uction to 2025 industrial strategy, and the Farrell Review of Architecture and the Built Environment);

5. An understanding of the role of the architect within the design team and construction industry, recognising the importance of current methods and trends in the construction of the built environment , and of the duties of architects to clients, users, constructors, co-professionals and wider society, including concepts of professionalism and their relevance in contemporary society and the business world.

6. An awareness of the role and status of relevant professional institutions and organisations.

Additional outcomes:

Students will also be expected to have developed:

1. An awareness of the collaborative nature of building design and construction, and the need for different disciplines to work together and to share information and knowledge

2. Written communication skills.

Outline content:

The module is structured around topic areas, as follows:</