Aims and Fit of Module

This design studio aims to further strengthen and consolidate studio design skills, with a view towards students acquiring a well-rounded set of technical and representational abilities. The studio addresses a design brief within the scope of one semester. The outcome is a self-contained studio project presentation. Design proposals should be well-developed, ambitious and resolved and take into account the complex and unpredictable conditions of a particular context. Students are required to demonstrate their ability to devise ambitious architectural strategies and to develop an understanding of technical requirements for architecture, such as the principles of visual, thermal and acoustic environments, climatic design, building technologies, regulatory frameworks and professional practice codes of the building industry in relation to the wellbeing of current and future generations and the requirements of sustainable development. Each student is expected to demonstrate bespoke research in these areas as the project develops in close co-ordination with design development

Learning outcomes

A.	Generate design proposals of medium complexity in response to a design brief, reflecting originality in the application of subject knowledge, and an awareness of the role of hypothesis and speculation in the design process development.

B.	Evaluate and present materials, processes and techniques that apply to architectural design and building construction, and integrate these into practicable design proposals.

C.	Integrate knowledge of structural, constructional and material systems, and of physical properties and characteristics of building materials and components, considering also the environmental impact of specification choices.

D.	Present an understanding of systems for environmental comfort realized within relevant precepts of energy systems, fabric and integrated design.

E.	Manage a comprehensive range of visual, oral and written media to test, analyse, critically appraise and explain design proposals.

Method of teaching and learning

Individual and group design tutorials, lectures, seminars, workshops, design critiques, individual and group work, self-study, field trips, site visits if applicable.