Architectural Design and Technology with Foundation Year

This module is designed to equip you with a set of skills, knowledge and personal attributes that ensure the student is likely to be successful in their chosen route of academic study on a course within the School of the Built Environment. You will develop the ability to understand what and how they are learning, and to review, plan and take responsibility for your own learning.

This module will introduce you to the range of sectors and professions involved in the built environment sector. You will also gain an understanding of the role of the different professions, and begin to explore the concept of health and safety in industry.

The aim of this module is to provide you with an appreciation and understanding of architectural design and the factors that influence it. You will gain an understanding of architectural design in the context of the overall building procurement process, and be introduced to the role of ICT as an essential tool in built environment professional practice. Through this module you will begin to develop your expertise in commonly used built environment design representation software applications.

This module introduces the process of client/architect/engineer design briefs, and particular specifications in relation to a building’s internal environment, with particular attention paid to the specification of thermal, visual, acoustic and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) design variables. Building on the theory learned in the Introduction to Building Science module, this module moves on to the design and practical application of environmental design criteria based on the previously developed understanding of environmental comfort.

You will research into, and select, various design variables during the creation of project Room Data Sheets (RDS), used by engineering consultants to design passive and active approaches to the creation of an optimum internal environment for occupant comfort and wellbeing. The module then moves on to the determination of actual environmental conditions in numerous rooms and spaces in a variety of building types via the physical use of measuring equipment. By comparing theoretical and actual design values, you will then undertake observations and Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) surveys to determine real occupant opinions and perceptions as to their working environment, with the goal of assessing those areas of design with poor feedback and the proposal of corrective measures.

You will be introduced to English Law and relevant statutory requirements for studying for vocational qualifications in the construction and property professions. You will e-learn about the workings of the English legal system, to the law relating to contracts and to the regulatory framework affecting the use, management and development of land, in particular, planning, building control and the CDM regulations.

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the interactions between a building and its internal and external environments. You will learn about the principles involved in building heat transfer, occupant thermal comfort, illumination and acoustics. You will explore the need for mechanical and electrical engineering services in the building envelope and develop an understanding of typical building services systems technology.

You will explore BIM for Passive Analysis, and gain an understanding of fabric, modern methods of construction and an understanding of 3-D conceptions.

You will learn to identify and use appropriate learning-how-to-learn strategies that are applicable for your course. You will learn to recognise and apply discipline specific knowledge and practice to solve discipline related project tasks on an individual and team basis. The module will enable you to experience relevant applicable ICT technologies.

This module aims at providing a fundamental understanding of the design principles and behaviours of structural forms, elements and systems in buildings. You will be introduced to nature as a generator of structure. You'll explore the relationship between shape, material, structural performance, loads, assembly methods and construction technology through modelling, analysis, and case studies. You will be able to understand the mutual dependencies between architectural design, structural performance and manufacturing technologies in the past and present through the knowledge of historical and contemporary structural forms and materials. The module also enables you to investigate the implications of nature, people and technology in the design of architectural structures.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of basic economic concepts and principles of the economic environment in which the construction and property industry operates and knowledge of management theories in the construction context. You will be able to discuss the key role of the construction industry in the economy, current economic issues and management challenges in the construction and property context.

This module enables you to explore and differentiate the principal types of procurement systems and associated contracts used in the UK, you will also explore the fundamental procedures related to contract administration.

You will gain the skills to prepare prescriptive and performance specifications as well as BIM information. You will also develop your knowledge and understanding to implement technical design solutions through the selection and specification of materials, health and Safety regulations, methods of production, client and user requirements, and performance in use.

This module will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills necessary to explain building construction techniques and materials used. You will also develop an understanding of various contemporary and historic construction techniques related to both project delivery and environmental considerations.

This module will provide you with a critical awareness and detailed appreciation of architectural design and its influences. You will gain an understanding of the design process and an ability to develop design solutions in new-build situations.

This discipline based project will provide an opportunity to study on a range of built environment scenarios. It will develop your detailed knowledge of discipline specific subject matter by applying relevant concepts and techniques to solve problems in project environments. You will also develop your project appraisal, collaborative team working, management, critical analysis and problem solving skills. The module will allow you to develop and apply high level communication and information technology skills to solve problems and present solutions to a competent standard appropriate for a built environment professional. You will also develop an understanding of the place of advanced ICT technologies within the sphere of the construction industry professional.

This project will provide you with an opportunity to work in multi-disciplinary teams and to enable them to perform in a role/discipline in the context of a team based project. It will promote reflection on individual and team working and the multi-disciplinary nature of built environment projects. You will practice and further develop both discipline based and generic key skills required by a built environment professional. It encourages self-reflection and enable you to further your personal development plan, that aligns the learning needs and career aspirations and the requirements of the business sector and the professional institutions. You will also further develop written/oral communication, team working and inter-personal skills.

The aims of this module is to introduce you to understanding urban contexts, construction, structural analysis using digital tools (BIM), environment impact and digital presentation.

You will develop the capability to evaluate Virtual Reality (VR) technologies and apply appropriate approaches for the presentation of complex 3D data sets. You will learn to critically evaluate current applications of VR and develop solutions for use in the built environment. You will also develop competencies in the management and manipulation of multi-media data sets.

On this module you will create an awareness of key professional roles with the built environment sector and the responsibilities associated with the differing roles. It will provide you with an opportunity for investigative work to be undertaken via a case study or series of case studies to explore the nature of the built environment professions. You will develop an awareness of the key professional skills required by the differing identified discipline areas. It will also promote the on-going development of oral/written communication, team working and inter-personal skills.

You will develop an holistic understanding of tectonics for local and global environmental challenges. You will assess the impacts of building performance on the built environment. You'll apply the principles of technological engineering systems in sustainable design and construction processes to a design solution. You will also apply technical regulatory factors that impact build, sustainability and environmental performance within broad societal concerns.

You will further develop your understanding of, and ability to apply, the principles of architectural design, with specific reference to the re-use and redevelopment of existing buildings

You will learn to write and deliver an extended and coherent study on a design related topic. On completion, you will demonstrate competency in research skills in support of future learning development. This module will help you to develop the skills of reflective practice through engagement with contemporary architecture and urbanism.