BSc (Hons) Architectural Studies

Modules

Design 2: Experimentation
This design studio module aims to further develop the student’s ability to respond to a complex brief of mid-scale projects. The studio encourages experimental design approaches and focuses on developing the student’s understanding of the role of tectonics and climate in driving architectural design. The student will explore briefs that challenge/criticise some existing building typologies. The student will address the various stages of the design development process; considering wider issues such as health and safety, sustainability, technical and construction constraints as well as professional and associated professional considerations.

Sustainability 2: Transitions
This module is part of the undergraduate Sustainability strand intended to equip the student to understand local, regional and global environmental requirements and the architect’s responsibilities towards creating sustainable places.
This module aims to enhance the student’s appreciation of climatic challenges, as well as further develop their skills to critically address, analyse and engage environmental, social, and economic aspects integral to transitioning to a sustainable built environment.
This module underpins themes of equity, inclusivity, efficiency, accessibility, regeneration, and future-proofing.

Construction, Technology and Life Safety 2: Application
This module is part of the undergraduate Architectural Technology strand; intended to equip the student to understand contemporary applications of building technologies. The module advances the concepts and theories introduced in your prior study; particularly via deep analysis of a set of precedent case studies. This module aims to:

• Critically appraise alternative structural, constructional, and material systems relevant to architectural design.
• Explore the inter-relationship between aesthetic aspects of architectural design, technical requirements of construction and the needs of buildings users.
• Explore the interdependences of Structures, Materials and Construction in relation to the sustainable integration of technology into architectural design.
• Professionally communicate information and arguments in a variety of forms.

Humanities 2: Discourse
This module is part of the undergraduate Architectural Humanities strand; intended to equip the student to understand and engage in contemporary discourses of architecture. The student will be encouraged to develop an understanding of what architectural theory is and its relationship to the practice of architecture. The module will provide a specific emphasis on the principles of architectural theory by exposing and discussing various architectural debates, both historical and contemporary. This module reinforces theposition of the architect in the present and thus intends to introduce the students to the various ways by which contexts, ideologies, politics and environment affect architectural theories and thus practice.

Design 3: Autonomy
The module aims to provide a vehicle for students to illustrate the culmination of knowledge, skills and abilities that they developed throughout the course of the Degree. The students will develop their abilities towards completing a rigorous and comprehensive design that embodies all aspects of architectural design producing an appropriate and enriching environment. Through this module, the students will develop a level of autonomy to form their own paths into the architectural profession.

This module aims to investigate the relationship between people/community, town/city, and buildings. The focus will relate detail, construction and structure, materiality, engaging with tectonics, sustainability, life safety and aesthetic aspects of architectural design in an urban environment, together with the consideration of inherent contextual issues and planning constraints.

Advanced and Future Strategies
This module aims to emphasise the application of knowledge gained in the sustainability and technology strands (developed throughout the course) within architectural and urban design projects and to project beyond common/standard contemporary architectural applications. 

Engaging with experts from varying domains, the module aims to introduce the students to multi/interdisciplinary thinking and practices integral to the construction industry; so that they have an understanding of the wider contributors to the building/construction industry. The module aims to explore emerging and future trends in the sustainable built environment as well as actors beyond the field of architecture.

Professional Practice
This module aims to introduce professionalism, practice management, job running, working within the legal and regulatory framework, understanding clients and the importance of cost. The students will reflect on their own aspirations (via developing their individual and group manifestos) for their career and the industry to which they are about to become affiliated, and develop their thinking and communication skills that are needed to respond and adapt to the changes within the construction industry.

Humanities 3: Critical Context
This module is part of the undergraduate Architectural Humanities strand; intended to equip the student to understand and engage in contemporary discourses of architecture. This module examines The Context as a Public Project to develop a critical knowledge of the forces at play in the built environment; specifically, an understanding of the place as a public composition that is influenced by multiple power structures and economic and cultural forces.