Architecture is a profession. Working within a social and ethical context, architects bring together different factors related to the brief, programme, environment, available resources, codes of professional conduct and legislation. They develop projects towards their resolved conclusions through an iterative process of testing and refining ideas. This module introduces students to the profession of architecture and the professional context within which architecture is made. It offers them the opportunity to begin to understand themselves as professionals, through the introduction of key skills and practices. Students are asked to explore and demonstrate methods for developing propositional work. They are encouraged to manage and appraise their work and become independent and reflective learners.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical and social responsibilities of a professional architect;
2. Articulate the principal ways in which the profession of architecture is subject to regulations and procedures;
3. Demonstrate a developing awareness of the skills required to operate as a professional, including teamwork, interpersonal skills, critical self-reflection, presentation, effective time management and an ability to organise, strategise and prioritise.
4. Demonstrate some ability to reflect upon, evaluate and iterate within a design process;
5. Record and represent the key stages and decision-making processes which have informed a design project;
6. Demonstrate some awareness of the ways in which professional, regulatory, social, environmental or ethical issues might inform an architectural design project.
The module has two supportive/contextual based elements (Coursework) and one design based element (Design Portfolio). The Coursework and the Design Portfolio parts of the course are taught in relation to each other through a combination of studio based projects, lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and study visits.
The School employs various learning technologies to support the teaching and learning strategies. Canvas is used to support teaching and learning in all modules, and other aspects of the courses and School as a whole. It is used at a modular level as a repository for all module documentation, such as the module guide, briefs, lecture handouts, support material, and links to web-resources. It is also used for tutorial and workshop sign-up lists and discussion forums where appropriate. Students should check this site on a daily basis.
All courses based in the Kingston School of Art offer students free access to the online video tutorial platform Lynda.com. This provides a wide range of subjects to choose from, many with downloadable exercise files, including software tutorials covering photography, graphics, web design, audio and music, CAD and Microsoft Office software, as well as courses on Business and Management skills. Some of these are embedded in the curriculum and offer additional self-paced learning, others may be taken at will by students wishing to broaden their employability skills in other areas.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Studio-based projects, lectures, workshops, study visits, tutorials, seminars. | 75 |
| Guided independent study | 225 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Assessment for this module has three elements of assessment. The Coursework consists of two assessed elements and these are 'Coursework Assessment 1' and 'Coursework Assessment 2'. The Design Portfolio is a separate element and is synoptically assessed across all 4 modules.
Within the Coursework elements feedback/feed forward is given in different forms depending on the nature of the work. However all will offer the opportunity for at least one group or individual tutorial and formal written feedback following submission, within the prescribed timescale.
Within the Design Portfolio element ie. in Studio the following strategies for feedback/feed forward apply:
Coursework Assessments (50% in total):
The Coursework consists of two elements and these are 'Coursework Assessment 1' and 'Coursework Assessment 2' which are reflected in Learning Outcomes 1-3. The 'Coursework Assessment 1' element on this module is a group Practice Study which consists of research and submission of a PowerPoint on an architectural practice which is presented within a 10 minute presentation (25%). This assignment is carried out and is assessed as a group. The 'Coursework Assessment 2' element on this module is a personal/professional development plan (PDP) presented diagrammatically as two A3 sheets (25%). This assignment is carried out and is assessed individually.
Design Portfolio (50%):
The assessment for the Design Portfolio element of this module is assessed through a portfolio of work which will include the Workbook. A typical example of work may entail sketches and photographs of physical models documenting the iterative process of the project. The Design Portfolio and Workbook relates to the iterative development of the design project and its integration into wider professional and regulatory issues. This is reflected in Learning Outcomes 4-6.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical and social responsibilities of a professional architect; | Coursework Assessments (Practice Study and presentation). |
| 2) Articulate the principal ways in which the profession of architecture is subject to regulations and procedures; | Coursework Assessments (Practice Study and presentation). |
| 3) Demonstrate a developing awareness of the skills required to operate as a professional, including teamwork, interpersonal skills, critical self-reflection, presentation, effective time management and an ability to organise, strategise and prioritise. | Coursework Assessments (PDP). |
| 4) Demonstrate some ability to reflect upon, evaluate and iterate within a design process; | Design Portfolio (Portfolio of work which will include the Workbook). |
| 5) Record and represent the key stages and decision-making processes which have informed a design project; | Design Portfolio (Portfolio of work which will include the Workbook). |
| 6) Demonstrate some awareness of the ways in which professional, regulatory, social, environmental or ethical issues might inform an architectural design project. | Design Portfolio (Portfolio of work which will include the Workbook). |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework Assessment 1 Practice Study and presentation) | Practical examination | 25% |
| Coursework Assessment 2 (personal/professional development plan - PDP) | Coursework | 25% |
| Design portfolio (Portfolio of work including the Workbook) | Coursework | 50% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It is a requirement that the elements of assessment for Coursework are passed on aggregate and it is a requirement that the element of assessment for the Design Portfolio is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Farrelly, L., 2012. The Fundamentals of Architecture. 2nd ed. Worthing: Ava Publishing. Available through: Kingston University LRC as an e-book.
Chappell, D. and Willis, A., 2013. The Architect in Practice. 10th ed. London: Blackwell Publishing
Rosie, P. and Sara, R., 2007. The Crit; An architectural students handbook. 2nd ed. Architectural Press. Available through: Kingston University LRC as an e-book.
Porter, T., 2004. Archispeak: An illustrated guide to architectural terms. London: Spon Press. Available through Kingston University LRC as an e-book.
Mann, T., 2004. Time Management for Architects and Designers. London: Norton & Company
McCandless, D., 2009. Information is Beautiful. London: Collins
Cottrell, S., 2008. The Study Skills Handbook. 3rd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan
Jacobus, F., 2015. Archi-graphic: an infographic look at architecture. London: Laurence King Publishing.
Information on Referencing:
Referencing page, which includes the link to the Harvard referencing guide for students within Kingston School of Art.
Peers, R., and Shields, G. 2016. Cite them Right: The Essential Referencing Guide. 10th ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan
Recommended Websites: