The design of complex buildings is at the heart of the role of the professional architect in practice and RIBA and ARB consider knowledge of the design, technical and professional aspects of this process as essential to the competency of architects in practice. MArch/ Part 2 ARB Criteria 2024 identifies this directly and it is understood as a core aspect of professional competency, and an essential aspect of commercial practice and employability. In this module you develop building design proposals which develop previous module’s learning and asks you to deliver a complex building programme at scale, that addresses a critical need in your chosen context, which meets identified social, urban, developmental and economic objectives, as they intersect with local, regional and national policy and regulatory frameworks. Orientated towards large-scale design outputs, this module engages with theories, historical and contemporary precedent and building design precedent and practices. The module asks you to reflect on these current practices through your studio design projects, producing holistic, detailed, technically resolved proposals that addresses needs identified in your urban design and engagement modules. Within specialist design units, you will be guided through weekly lectures and tutorials to develop holistic design proposals, which address identified social, programmatic and building needs. Working in response to real-world scenarios, you will be required to develop speculative and evidenced design proposals which advance current practices in response to thoughtful analysis of social needs and policy objectives in relation to contemporary design practices, planning policies, professional standards and regulatory frameworks.
Lectures: 8 hours
Tutorials: 48 hours
Reviews: 12 hours
Workshops: 12 hours
Late Summer, Autumn, Spring - Canterbury.
This module is taught In person or online (hybrid).
These assessments have been designed to be accessible in-line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
In this module student work undergoes two forms of assessments: oral presentation and portfolio review. The oral presentation consists of a timed in-person review in studio (the ‘crit’) and is assessed in terms of visual and spoken coherence according to clearly identified material outputs (development work, finished presentation drawings, models). The second assessment is an illustrated portfolio, which will be formally assessed by design tutors. In addition to drawings of their final urban design proposal, the portfolio incorporates a reflective journal. Students utilise this to document the design process, but it also offers them to critical reflection on their experience of the application of evidence-based methodologies in design.
Practical
Presentation - Oral review of proposal and pinup (20 minutes). Worth 20%
Practical
Design portfolio - An illustrated portfolio and design journal. Worth 80%. This module is pass compulsory.
Reassessment methods
Single Instrument 100% Practical (Design Portfolio)
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices. The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages:
https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Demonstrate advanced understanding of architectural design, including considerations of formal, aesthetic, urban, detailed and material principles as they pertain to building function, programme, appearance and performance.
2) Present comprehensive and clear building construction proposals through detailed design proposals, with specific reference to structural approaches, material selection, technical resolution and construction detailing, and including considerations of environmental performance.
3) Demonstrate knowledge of the context of contemporary architectural design practice, including precedent and relevant case studies, in both terms of formal considerations and the procurement and delivery of buildings within contemporary legislation, policy and regulations.
4) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of architects in social/ client engagement, and their professional role in coordinating positive and effective participation for diverse actors.
5) Present complex building designs using diverse representation and modelling techniques, using a comprehensive range of visual, oral and written media including through established professional conventions, to test, analyse, critically appraise and explain design proposals.
6) Independently identify and develop proposals, from conception to design delivery, demonstrating the ability to identify individual learning needs and the personal responsibility required to prepare for qualification as an architect.
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