AA2DS4-Architecture Design ô€€– Skills in Architectural Design 2

Module Provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Mr Sayan Skandarajah
Email: s.skandarajah@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This is the forth in a series of related design modules. It provides opportunities to develop creativity and design skills within a studio environment and for students to apply skills and knowledge gained across the undergraduate curriculum to more complex design projects. Students will utilise skills including sketching, freehand drawing, technical drawing and model-making as well as skills related to the use of digital technologies to explore and develop their design capabilities.

Aims:
The module aims to develop studentsô€€’ design skills and creativity and to provide opportunities to apply knowledge and skills developed from teaching and learning activities within other first and second year modules, notably the Visualisation and Communication modules.

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of this module, students will be able to:

1. Communicate effectively by means of visual representations, and oral and written communication, well-considered and imaginative design proposals for projects such as small/medium buildings and groups of buildings;

2. Demonstrate capability in the effective application of traditional and digital graphic and model-making techniques to more complex projects;

3. Understand and explain the importance of def ining and meeting the requirements of individual users and other stakeholders in more complex design activities;

4. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of house, home, locality and neighbourhood;

5. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of building in context, characterisation, wayfinding and placemaking, and the importance of both buildings and spaces in architectural design.

6. Demonstrate an understanding of and an ability to use variou s analytical tools and techniques related to building in a particular location.

7. Prepare and present building design projects of diverse scale, complexity, and type in a variety of contexts, using a range of media, and in response to a brief; GC 1.1

8. Demonstrate an understanding of constructional and structural systems, environmental strategies and regulatory requirements that apply to the design and construction of a comprehensive design project; GC 1.2

9. Develop a conceptual and critical approach to architectural design that integrates and satisfies the aesthetic aspects of a building and the technical requirements of its construction and the needs of the user; GC 1.3

10. Prepare designs that will meet building users' requirements and comply with UK legislation, appropriate performance standards and health and safety requirements; GC 10.3

11. Demonstrate ability to apply a range of communication methods and media t o design proposals clearly and effectively. GA 1.2

Additional outcomes:
1. Students will also increase their awareness of the value of visualisation to support design development, evaluation and decision making, and their appreciation of the value of design studio in relation to teaching and learning activities;

2. Demonstrate understanding of strategies for building construction, and ability to integrate knowledge of structural principles and construction techniques; GC 8.2

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties and characteristics of building materials, components and systems, and the environmental impact of specification choices. GC 8.3

Outline content:
Students will undertake the design of projects, typically related to a small complex of buildings and/or building of medium complexity and size.

Opportunities will also be sought to engage students in live projects either in the UK or overseas and in competitions (such as that run by TRADA).

Students will also explore topics such as:

1. House and home;
2. The house in the city;
3. Building in context;
4. Characterisation;
5. Wayf inding;
6. Placemaking.

They will also explore analyt