Aims: Students are to demonstrate a high level of competence in the integrated design of one building type in a major European urban setting, while producing an architecturally elegant design. The course builds on knowledge acquired during unit Design Studio 5 (AR 40300) and AR40107.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who have completed this unit should be able to demonstrate coherent architectural designs that integrate the ability to work as part of a team, and to develop individual urban design work related to the team design.
Specifically, students should demonstrate in their portfolios urban designs which integrate knowledge of: The social, political, economic and professional context that guides building construction; The principles and theories associated with visual, thermal and acoustic environments; climatic design and the relationship between climate, built form and construction; life style, energy consumption and human well-being.
In addition students should demonstrate in their portfolios urban designs which integrate an understanding of: briefs and how to critically appraise them; building technologies, environmental design and construction methods related to human well being and the consideration of a sustainable environment; the social qualities of a design; The influence on the contemporary built environment of individual buildings, the design of cities, societies and wider global issues; The histories and theories of architecture and urbanism; the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them to human needs and scale; The contribution of other professionals in the design process showing an appropriate use of team working skills, recognising the importance of current methods in the construction industry.
The students should demonstrate in their portfolios urban designs which integrate an ability to: generate and systematically test, analyse and appraise design options, and draw conclusions which display methodological and theoretical rigour, work as a team; devise structural and constructional strategies for complex buildings or group of buildings; critically appraise and form considered judgements about the special, aesthetic, technical and social qualities of a design within the scope and scale of the wider environment; use visual and written communication methods and appropriate media to represent the testing, analysis and critical appraisal of complex design proposals.
Skills:
An ability to synthesise in elegant designs complex demands of context, environment, materials, user needs and function. Developed communication skills.
Content:
The formulation of group and subsequent individual design briefs using material accumulated in Urban Design Studio 1 for one building type (public or residential) in one location within the established urban context. The design is to be presented through plans and sections, and supplemented by models (physical and/or computer models). The design will be developed with due regard to the technical requirements prevailing in the UK and aesthetically in accordance with the urban context being studied; and with due regard to the perceived long-term social and physical needs of the local community. Specialist expertise will be provided by visiting Architectural, Landscape, Environmental and Structural Engineering consultants.
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