Architecture BA

Core modules:

Architectural Design 1

A course of studio based practical architectural design work which aims to: introduce the perception of architecture; introduce issues of cultural and technological significance; generate the interpretation and solution of a series of wide ranging design problems. The technical aspects of the work aims to: develop an understanding of the way building structure, construction and services inform, interpret and contribute to the architectural design process; and provide the opportunity for the demonstration of that understanding as an essential component of practical architectural design.

30 credits

Architectural Design 2

A course of studio based practical architectural design work which aims to: widen perception of architecture; introduce issues of cultural and technological significance; generate the interpretation and solution of a series of wide ranging design problems. The technical aspects of the work aims to: develop an understanding of the way building structure, construction and services inform, interpret and contribute to the architectural design process; and provide the opportunity for the demonstration of that understanding as an essential component of practical architectural design

30 credits

Communication 1

This module introduces students to the main communication skills used in architecture, including spoken presentation, listening, various graphical techniques, model-making and information technology.

10 credits

Communication 2

This module introduces students to the main communication skills used in architecture, including spoken presentation, primary research, various graphical techniques and information technology.

10 credits

Environment and Technology 1

The overall aim of the Environment and Technology modules is to provide the knowledge and ability in building technology, environmental design and construction methods that are necessary to undertake design projects in the Design Studio. This module presents principles of planet and place including:

-  climate literacy and climate justice, building in the era of the climate emergency

-  principles of regenerative design and ecology

-  historical overview of solar architecture

10 credits

Environment and Technology 2

The overall aim of the Environment and Technology modules is to provide the knowledge and ability in building technology, environmental design and construction methods that are necessary to undertake design projects in the Design Studio.

This module (ALA104) and the preceding module (ALA103) are paired thematically and present principles of planet and place, including in this module:

- designing with site and context

- designing with climate and microclimate

- designing with passive solar principles

- designing with air and water

- designing with materials and layers

10 credits

Humanities 1

ALA105 explores the reciprocal relationship between architecture, the built environment and society, introducing a broad range of inhabitations and domestic settings across the world and across time. Through a multidisciplinary and cross-cultural approach lectures will examine how humans have approached their needs for shelter and inhabitation, and the relationship between domestic types and public life, both in the past and in the present. The course seeks to establish that architecture is socially contextualised through style, symbolic references, typologies, use, materiality, meaning, structure, layout, and form, and also through the framing of human activities and rituals. By adopting a global approach the course engages with broader questions of locality, exchange, and architecture's adaptability.

10 credits

Humanities 2

ALA106 examines how the field of architecture is positioned in relation to its wider contexts - in particular, climate breakdown. Neither architecture nor climate are simply technical phenomena: both are social, political, and cultural; both raise questions about resources, land, economics, labour, policy, infrastructure, and more. We will explore these entanglements starting from a series of building case studies, and moving outwards to explore the wider material and immaterial networks that constitute architecture and climate. You will begin to position yourself in relation to these and other networks, and reflect on how you might encounter them in your future. Lectures will relate the physical making of the modern world to political, social, and other constructions.

The module will introduce histories and theories of architecture yet emphasise an interdisciplinary approach that mobilises knowledge and methods from across the humanities. It aims to contribute to your development as a critical thinker and researcher and help you both define your own personal agendas and tools and evolve informed and rigorous arguments in both words and images.

10 credits

Core modules:

Architectural Design 3

A course of studio based practical architectural design work which builds on the experience of the first year design studio. The scale of projects addressed increases from those encountered in the first year, with more complex briefs. Consideration is given to the issues of sustainability, the relation of buildings to their urban context and the design of outside spaces. The technical aspects of the work aim to further develop an understanding of building structure, construction, materials and services in relation to the overall design concept.

30 credits

Architectural Design 4

ALA224 follows on directly from ALA223.  Together they form an integrated sequence of projects for the second year design studio course.  ALA224 continues the practical architectural design work of ALA223, but concentrates on the design of a medium-sized public building, including the integration of technical and environmental elements.

30 credits

Communication 4

ALA201 is a module which introduces analytical and formal architectural drawing, drawing literacy skills and architectural representation at Year 2 level. It aims to consolidate and expand upon the culture of representation introduced in Year 1, to develop technical drawing skills and to broaden knowledge of and ability in graphic presentation. It includes measured and architectural drawing, portfolio presentation and graphical techniques. It is comprised of lectures, workshops and tutorials aimed at groups and individual students.

10 credits

Computer Aided Architectural Design

An introduction to Computer Aided Architectural Design, including the basic CAD concepts of modelling, drafting, analysis and visualisation/presentation. The module aims to give students familiarity with a range of modelling, rendering and image processing software and also build a critical attitude towards them.

10 credits

Environment and Technology 3

The overall aim of the Environment and Technology modules is to provide the knowledge and ability in building technology, environmental design and construction methods that are necessary to undertake design projects in the Design Studio. 

This module (ALA203) and the following module (ALA204) are paired thematically and present principles of building and resources, including in this module:

-  principles of building structures and foundations, materials for structure

-  embodied energy (embodied carbon) in structures, structural design using low-carbon, low-environmental-impact, recycled and renewable materials

-  barrier free design (accessibility) and design for fire safety

10 credits

Environment and Technology 4

The overall aim of the Environment and Technology modules is to provide the knowledge and ability in building technology, environmental design and construction methods that are necessary to undertake design projects in the Design Studio. 

This module (ALA204) and the preceding module (ALA203) are paired thematically and present principles of building and resources, including in this module:

-  principles of building envelope design, building materials, exterior and interior finishes

-  embodied energy (embodied carbon) in envelope design and building finishes, options for low-carbon, low-environmental-impact, recycled and renewable materials

10 credits

Humanities 3

This module consolidates the production of architecture through buildings and designs with the production of disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge, with a particular overall focus on the contemporary condition.

10 credits

Humanities 4

This module covers a wide-ranging cultural and political history of architecture and its relationship between changing states of society, the development of urban culture and institutions, and the growth of knowledge and ideas. The module pivots between scientific knowledge and artistic and cultural development, and is intended to help students from both scientific, social sciences and arts and humanities backgrounds to begin to make connections and understand the broader context within which architecture is set.

10 credits

Core modules:

Architectural Design 5

A course of studio based practical architectural design work which builds on the lessons learnt in the first and second year design studio. The studio based design projects involve schemes of greater complexity than previously, with emphasis placed on the integration of knowledge gained during the three year course. Projects focus on the importance of physical context, introduce a wider range of building types, and require analytical studies relating to urban design, precedents and philosophical approaches. The associated technical studies closely relate to the design projects and are seen as an integral part of the design process.

30 credits

Architectural Design 6

A course of studio based practical architectural design work which builds on the lessons learnt in the first and second year design studio. The studio based design projects involve schemes of greater complexity than previously, with emphasis placed on the integration of knowledge gained during the three year course. Projects focus on the importance of physical context, introduce a wider range of building types, and require analytical studies relating to urban design, precedents and philosophical approaches. The associated technical studies closely relate to the design projects and are seen as an integral part of the design process.

30 credits

Special Study

An in-depth study of one of the following subject areas: architectural theory, architectural history, science and technology, structures, management, CAD, landscape architecture, town planning. The special study is an individual piece of work, allowing students to explore a particular aspect of architecture in some depth. Precise topics will be discussed and agreed with the relevant tutor. In the majority of cases the work takes the form of a dissertation, but it may take other approved forms depending on the nature of the specialist work being undertaken.

20 credits

Environment and Technology 5

The overall aim of the Environment and Technology modules is to provide the knowledge and ability in building technology, environmental design and construction methods that are necessary to undertake design projects in the Design Studio.

This module (ALA348) and the following module (ALA311) are paired thematically and present principles of people and comfort, including in this module:

Human comfort, human experience and architectural spatial qualities regarding lighting, daylighting and thermal perceptionAn understanding of passive heating, cooling and ventilation of buildings considering operational energy (operational carbon)

Note that ALA348 is accompanied by sister-modules ALA304 (for ALA students) and ALA303 (for MAC students), which share content and assessment at the point of delivery. ALA311 is similarly accompanied by the sister-module ALA305 (for MAC students).

10 credits

Environment and Technology 6

The overall aim of the Environment and Technology modules is to provide the knowledge and ability in building technology, environmental design and construction methods that are necessary to undertake design projects in the Design Studio. 

This module (ALA311) and the preceding module (ALA348) are paired thematically and present principles of people and comfort, including in this module:

-  building services, passive and active building systems

-  integrated design of structure and services with building envelope

-  fire safety 

-  acoustic comfort

-  embodied energy and retrofit

This module is also the culmination of the series of undergraduate modules in Environment and Technology and presents principles of how the various considerations are brought together within a holistic environmental and technical strategy.

10 credits

Humanities 5

ALA306 is the final module in a sequence of humanities courses over the three years of the architecture degree. ALA306 specifically focuses on urban history and theory and integrates architecture and related issues with a wider urban context. ALA306 presents key factors and principles of urban development, historical and contemporary urban design and planning theories and exemplifies these through a series of urban case studies.

10 credits

Management Practice Law

The module aims to explore and develop a greater understanding of practice in relation to the legal, economic and contractual scenarios. In particular there will be a focus on understanding the political and social and financial factors that affect the practice of architecture.

10 credits