1. Develop appropriate questions to realise creative and imaginative architectural solutions
of differing scales, complexity and typologies, and use decision-making in complex and
unpredictable contexts in response to a brief.
Problem Solving

2. Deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry to initiate and carry out
projects in architecture and effectively use critical evaluation and reflection about
practical and related contextual issues, including the ethical use of information in
architectural projects.
Enquiry.

3. Describe and comment upon current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship and
critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be
incomplete), to make judgements with specific with reference to current thinking around
sustainability, reuse and related environmental issues in the critical analysis of the
relationship between people, buildings, environment and context.
Analysis

4. Demonstrate an understanding of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge in
the selection and use of appropriate research methods for the exploration and
development of an individually defined response to a design brief.
Learning

5. Demonstrate and apply a systematic understanding of key aspects of theoretical and
practical learning, enquiry and analysis, including the acquisition of coherent and detailed
knowledge, at least some of which is at or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects
of the discipline, in the design, development and resolution of a compliant architectural
solution.
Knowledge & Understanding

6. Communicate and analyse information, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialist
and non-specialist audiences using a range of visual, written and verbal techniques to
conceptualise, represent and communicate your ideas and completed work.
Communication

Students will be formatively assessed throughout the module, with periodic reviews of work considering progress on Design Process, and Design Resolution and 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 of the 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 your project.

The summative 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.

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

This module represents the summation of the course and affords students an opportunity to deploy the understanding, knowledge, and skills they have developed throughout their studies in the realisation of an ambitious and well resolved architectural design. Students will be asked to explore and investigate in detail, the theoretical, contextual, environmental, and tectonic design issues, arising from an overarching thematic proposition set by the module tutor and drawn from the context of the city they have studied over the preceding years of the course.

In the first instance students will undertake a series of short design exercises to test ideas and tenants framed by the initial proposition. Going forward they use this to develop a brief for the final part of the module, where they will expand on this initial work to create a detailed architectural proposal consolidating an emerging design philosophy with the needs and aspirations of building users and stakeholders. The project will be of sufficiently complexity to demonstrate their ability to analyse and collate information from a variety of sources, and to create an integrated architectural solution in response to the environmental, sustainable, technical, philosophical, ethical, and aesthetic requirements of the project brief. Throughout the module students will have access to the school smart zone and dedicated external building area to realise concepts and prototypes and to testbed ideas relating to construction and technology.

During this module you will be expected to engage in the following
- The critical analysis, interrogation, and development of a project brief.
- The observation, investigation, and documentation of a site and its wider urban context.
- The preparation and evaluation of design concepts through model making, sketching, and drawing.
- The development of an architectural proposal with regard to function, brief, and context as well as specific spatial and user requirements.
- The application and evaluation of the basic principles of landscape design in relation to the design of a public open space.
- The application of the principles of construction, assembly, detail design, sustainability, environment, and regulatory control to the design proposal.
- The application of the principles of financial factors and cost control mechanisms which inform design decisions.

This module will invite questions about context, scale, private and public space, social behaviours, materials, landscape, density, and comfort and security.

Outputs for this module will include, physical models and large scale / full scale prototypes, digital models, collages, sketches, photographs, and hand drawings

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

In addition, Scheduled Teaching and 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.

Stonorov, Tolya (ed.) (2017) The Design-Build Studio: Crafting Meaningful Work in Architecture Education London, Routledge
Buxton, Pamela (ed.) (2018) Metric Handbook: Planning and Design Data [6th edition] London, Routledge

The nature of this module means that further recommended reading will vary depending on the individual project and will be subject to discussion and agreement with Module Tutors.

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 computerswith 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.