Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to identify, anticipate and prioritise a range of issues, to explore alternative possibilities and to realise creative and imaginative architectural solutions of differing scales, complexity and typologies, in response to a brief.
Problem Solving

2. Develop lines of argument and make sound judgements in accordance with basic theories
and concepts for the exploration and development of an individually defined response to a design brief.
Learning

3. Communicate the results of study/work accurately, reliably, and with structured and coherent arguments to conceptualise, represent and communicate your ideas using a range of visual, written and verbal techniques.
Communication

Students will be formatively assessed throughout the module, with periodic reviews of work considering progress on Design Process, and Design Resolution & Design Communication, respectively. The areas assessed in this module can be summarised as follows:

Design Process considers the appropriateness of research carried out in terms of precedents studies, (including historical and technical precedents), the creative interpretation of the client’s requirements, a detailed understanding of the site through analysis and contextual study and the extent to which alternative proposals have been considered and explored as part of the students reflection on their own work. The use of hand drawn sketches, workbooks and models is encouraged at this stage.

Design Resolution considers the extent to which the final proposal responds to the context of the site, the needs and aspirations of the client and their brief and reflects the students developing architectural identity and their interpretation of the project in the context ofthe module.

Design Communication considers the clarity and completeness with which the design is documented and illustrated. It assesses how a student has articulated their design ideas graphically, physically, and verbally.
A final formative assessment will consider the project against these three criteria as a whole and comprise of a pin-up and verbal presentation / critique of the project.

The summative (marked) assessment for this module will comprise of the submission of a curated portfolio of work for the project, including finished drawings, photographs of models and prototypes, sketch books (workbooks) and evidence of independent research and study.

This assessment is worth 100% of the module mark and will assess the following Learning Outcomes:

LO1 – Problem Solving.
LO2 – Learning; LO3 Communication.

All learning outcomes have to be met in order to pass the module

In this first exploratory design module, you will be asked to reconsider your engagement and perception of the physical world. Short, dynamic design exercises will introduce you to the wide variety of techniques, both practical and theoretical, used to formulate architectural design, and will draw on the rich tradition of craft, making and manufacture in the Potteries and within the School. A series of small-scale, but interlinked, design projects will challenge you to investigate your individual relationship to a given object, activity, and
environment and begin to equip you with the skills necessary to evaluate, test and communicate your design ideas using a range of techniques, materials and scales.

With support from teaching in Design Representation and Design Cultures, this module will consider the history & theory of craft, making and production in architecture and the importance of scale, materiality, and environment in the realisation of successful architectural proposals.

During this module you will be introduced to the School workshops, the SmartZone, and the dedicated external building space, allowing you to experiment with concepts, techniques and materials at different scales and to engage in the following:

-The preparation and evaluation of design concepts, through model making, prototyping, sketching and drawings.
- Development and testing of a design concept with regard to its purpose, function, and context.
- The application and analysis of basic principles of construction, structure, and assembly.
- The application and evaluation of the basic principles of construction, structure, and assembly.
- The verbal and graphical presentation of your ideas.

Outputs will include, physical models and large scale / full scale prototypes, collages, sketches, and hand drawings.

This module will be supported by input in the following Level 4 Modules:
Design Representation 1; Design Cultures 1.

Guided Independent Study will include a full day each week in studio for individual & group tutorials; site or building visits and project reviews (crits).

In addition, Scheduled Teaching & Learning Activities on this module will include presentations by module staff and outside specialists; specialist lectures; workshops and charette sessions. Each session in studio will commence an introduction by the module tutor.

Further support materials and information will be made available on Blackboard.

Ching, Francis D.K, (2015). Architecture – Form, Space, and Order [4th Edition]. Hoboken NJ., John Wiley & Sons.
Spiller, Neil (2020) How to Thrive at Architecture School: A Student Guide London, RIBA Publishing.

Access to architecture studio, wood metal and plastics workshops and the SmartZone with drawing and model making equipment – details will be identified at the beginning of the module. Access to outside build space. Access to computers with 3D modelling, image editing and Microsoft 365 software. Access to Blackboard VLE, Microsoft Teams, and physical and remote access to Staffordshire University library resources including LinkedIn Learning