How does the law constrain and inform architectural practice? You will learn about the sources and fundamental principles of the law (concentrating on England and Wales) and look in greater detail at laws and regulations which have the greatest impact on professional practice, referencing your own practical experience and specific scenarios applied to contract, employment law, land law, planning and development management, and dispute resolution.
Lectures: 16 hours
Seminars: 16 hours
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.
The assessment methods align with the approved course specification’s Assessment and Feedback strategy. Students are provided with regular formative feedback (much of which is written) in all tutorials and seminars on draft coursework. Assessment is based on two written components, on which written feedback is also provided. The first tests a broad range of communication and management skills in relation to a specific technical issue. The second (more substantial) component uses a set essay question, reflecting current challenges facing the profession, requiring students to articulate mature and well-researched position.
Practical
Courtroom Debate - Presentation supported by ten PowerPoint slides (10 minutes). Worth 20%.
Written
Essay (Approx 2,500 words with illustrations). Worth 80%.
Reassessment methods
Like-for-like
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. Relate the legal context within which an architect must operate, and the processes undertaken to ensure compliance with legal requirements or standards, to specific scenarios, interacting with statutory and private bodies or individuals, to competently deliver projects within diverse legislative frameworks.
2. Apply the relevant law, legislation, guidance and controls relevant to architectural design and construction to specific scenarios.
3. Appraise business priorities, required management processes and risks of running an architectural practice, and the relationship between the practice of architecture and the UK construction industry, with an ability to resource, plan, implement and record project tasks to achieve stated goals, either individually or within a team.
4. Discriminate between different legal business entities, office systems, administration procedures and the relevant legislation.
5. Comply with UK construction and contract law, construction procurement processes and the roles of built environment professionals.
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