This is a full year module which is taught in design studio units. The module gives students the opportunity to deploy understanding, knowledge and abilities that they have developed throughout the course, in developing an ambitious and resolved architectural design in response to the unit brief. It allows the student to demonstrate their ability as a designer, their capacity to synthesise complex issues to define an architectural problem, carry out research and develop briefs, integrate knowledge derived from different fields and sources and produce relevant architectural responses that are technically competent. 

A choice of units are offered each year, reflecting the interests of the unit leader through a variety of programmes and sites.  

In general, the studio unit involves three main parts, research, primer project and a comprehensive design proposal within the context of the studio unit brief. 

• Demonstrate ownership of the process of research, design development and proposition that generate the design brief and its resolution (GC1, GC4, GC7) 

• Test working methods, clarify intentions, frame project proposals and develop design positions within an evaluative and critical context, including external and professional reference points (GC1,GC5, GC6, GC7) 

• Creatively integrate rigorous thinking and problem solving into the design process (GC1) 

• Integrate appropriate building structure, construction, environment and services into sustainable and ethical  holistic design solutions (GC4, GC5, GC8, GC9, GC10) 

• Synthesize a vocabulary of precedent and architectural ideas demonstrating reflective practice (GC2) 

• Produce advanced architectural drawing and digital design approaches (GC3) 

• Produce high quality visual and oral presentations (GC3) 

The teaching and learning strategy is to offer a supportive, creative and critical environment for guiding creative pursuits.  Students are given a choice of unit, each of which offers a specific project framework. 

There are two fundamental teaching strategies that are employed to deliver the key learning outcomes in this studio module: 1) ‘learning-by-doing’. 2) ‘learning from places’. Design, following specific project briefs, is taught through iterative individual and group tutorials and supported by lectures when needed, concluding in key stage reviews with written feedback. Study trips and site visits as part of the module to allow students an opportunity to visit buildings and sites and to personally engage with them, to form their own critical and personal positions. The activity of design involves the development of skills and understanding through an integration of the learning outcomes. 

Students at this level are expected to be independent learners and take responsibility to formulate their design decisions and the work they produce. Peer to peer learning is an important aspect of the unit system where by students are expected to share knowledge and information and work in teams.  

In the Autumn term of third year, students will engage in the unit through extensive research in theoretical, physical, social, cultural, or other relevant context of the studio unit’s theme. This will be followed by a primer project which can vary from master planning, to in-depth exploration of an architectural intervention, theoretical explorations or conceptual developments. This will be followed by each student developing their own project brief for a comprehensive project in the spring term. In the comprehensive project students will bring together all the knowledge and understanding from the exploration and research in the autumn term, as well as knowledge gained from other modules such as technology, to develop an integrated architectural proposal that has both theoretical and technical finesse.   

The module will be delivered through a blend of online learning, critical reading of literature, self-learning from prepared materials, exercises, analysis of precedent and application to design learning. 

*Module will be delivered face to face with some online elements

• Research skills to engage with literature, archives, reading, analysing, representing buildings and public space. 

• Team working and communication skills 

• Skills to synthesise and creatively apply various approach and technics to resolve design challenges

• Critical thinking to develop unique positions and approaches to creative problem solving 

• Time management 

• Architectural representation skills 

Submission at the end of Semester One.This component is not a qualifying mark. 

Submission at the end of Semester Two. This component is a qualifying mark. 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

The Architectural Design AR3301 Module is a core module with 70 credits out of 120 in the academic year. Failing this module at the end of the year will usually result in repeating the module in the next academic year 

To record, analyse, interpret and represent complex physical, cultural and/or philosophical context of unit brief through a visual and artistic expression (GC4.1, GC 4.3, GA 1.2, GA1.4).  

To formulate design brief in response to the user need, the challenges and issues identified through research (GC 5.1, GC 6.3 GC7.1, ). 

To make a personal evaluation of a complex context, focussing on relevant aspects, which are able to later support a successful design. (GC1.3, GC 5.3, GA 1.1) 

To develop appropriate or unique design approach and an architectural position that justify their design decision (GC1.3, GA1.3) 

To integrate knowledge and skills from other module into a design to formulate and develop an architectural idea in response to the unit brief as well as the technical and, regulatory requirements (GC1.2, GC1.3, GC8.2);  

To synthesise and apply vocabulary of precedent (GC2.1, GC 2.2, GC 2.3). 

To produce precise and appropriate architectural representations as well verbal presentations that communicate their design ideas (GC1.1, GA1.2 ).