Aims: The unit builds on knowledge acquired during the first degree in architecture, with an emphasis on architectural design and planning in an urban, European context. The aim is to encourage an understanding of the historical and cultural evolution of the city being studied and provide an overview - through text and drawings - of its present condition. The aim is also to encourage the further exploration of that analysis through architectural design.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who have completed this unit should be able to demonstrate through drawings, models and written reports an understanding of the relationship between individual buildings and the development of a particular city. They should be able to demonstrate a competence in the integrated design of a range of building types while producing architecturally elegant designs. Specifically, students should demonstrate in their portfolios 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 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 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:
Ability to work as part of a group; the critical assessment of information, and its clear communication. Ability to synthesise in elegant designs, complex demands of context, environment, materials, user needs and function.
Content:
The exploration, through analysis and design, of the many meanings and purposes of architecture within a European urban context. The unit involves a short fieldtrip to study a European town or city. Collection by groups of visual, historical, social and cultural information relating to its urban development. Presentation by groups of drawings photographs and models of the past and present character and future potential of the area. Written documentation as necessary supportive of visual and verbal presentations. Specialist expertise will be provided by visiting Architectural, Landscape, Environmental and Structural Engineering consultants, and visiting design critics will be invited at appropriate times during the project. Using this information, the formulation of group and subsequent individual design briefs for different building types (public and residential) in different locations within the established urban context. The design to be presented at a drawing scale not less than 1:100 throughh plans and sections of key examples of these types, and supplemented by models (physical and/or computer models). Designs will be developed with due regard to aesthetic and technical requirements prevailing nationally and especially within the urban context 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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