At both a strategic and a detailed level, the ways in which a building is made are fundamental in defining its architectural character. This module provides the foundations for the knowledge, techniques and skills that a student will need to master in order to construct and structure a holistic architectural proposition. The module will cover an introduction to engineering, building components, building systems and building skins. This knowledge will be mainly taught through lectures. Students will apply the acquired knowledge to both an existing building and their own design proposal.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Audit an existing building and determine its primary construction methods and details;
2. Understand the appropriate application of materials in relation to construction and structure and how this impacts upon the architectural character of a building;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of environmental concerns at a micro and macro scale, human comfort and the appropriate use of technology, and how these impact on design decisions;
4. Apply the principles of construction methods and detailing to a part of a design project;
5. Understand how the elements of construction and structure come together to form a holistic and sustainable building proposition;
6. Propose a coherent structural strategy for a design proposal.
The module includes a design component and a supportive/ contextual component and the two 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.
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 Eg.studio-based projects, lecturers, workshops, study visits, tutorials, seminars | 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 two equally weighted components which students must pass separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module. The design portfolio is synoptically assessed across all 4 modules.
Within the Supporting Studies, 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 Project studio, the following strategies for feedback/feed forward apply:
Component 1 - Coursework assessment (50%):
This relates to elements of teaching and delivery, such as lecture and seminar programmes, which support studio design work or address specific skills that relate to it. This is referred to as Supporting Study and is reflected in Learning Outcomes 1-3. A typical example of assessment for the Coursework assessment of this module would be an analysis of a domestic case study project (15%); an analysis of a non-domestic case study project (15%); and a study of semester 2 studio design project (20%).
Component 2 - Design Portfolio (50%):
This relates to the aspects of assessment tested through design studio projects. This is referred to as Design Project and is reflected in Learning Outcomes 4-5. A typical example of assessment for the Design Project component of this module would be a portfolio of work related to the strategy and detail for material resolution and construction of two Design Projects.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Audit an existing building and determine its primary construction methods and details; | Coursework. |
| 2) Understand the appropriate application of materials in relation to construction and structure and how this impacts upon the architectural character of a building; | Coursework. |
| 3) Demonstrate an understanding of environmental concerns at a micro and macro scale, human comfort and the appropriate use of technology, and how these impact on design decisions; | Coursework. |
| 4) Apply the principles of construction methods and detailing to a part of a design project; | Design Portfolio. |
| 5) Understand how the elements of construction and structure come together to form a holistic and sustainable building proposition; | Design Portfolio. |
| 6) Propose a coherent structural strategy for a design proposal | Design Portfolio. |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework assessments | Coursework | 50% |
| Design portfolio | Coursework | 50% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It is a requirement that the elements of assessment are passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Foster, J. S., and Harington, R., 2007. Structure and Fabric Part 1. 7th ed. Harlow: Pearson
Foster, J. S., and Harington, R., 2007. Structure and Fabric Part 2. 5th ed. Harlow: Pearson
Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980. Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture. New York: Rizzoli
Rasmussen, S.E., 2000. Experiencing Architecture. 28th ed. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press
Von Meiss, P., 1998. Elements of Architecture, From form to place. London: Spon Press
Deplazes, A., 2008. Constructing Architecture: Material Processes Structures, Basel: Birkhäuser
Ching, F.D.K., 2008. Building Construction Illustrated, 4th ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons
Delaney, M., and Gorman, A., ed. Lappin, S.A., 2011. Studio Craft & Technique: The Architecture Student's Handbook. Dublin: UCD
Littlefield, D., 2007. New Metric Handbook: Planning and Design Data. 3rd ed. Oxford: Architectural Press
To be developed in line with discussions about course content.
Tanizaki, J., 2001. In Praise of Shadows, London: Vintage Classics
Pallasmaa, J. (2009) The Thinking Hand, John Wiley & Sons
Pallasmaa, J, 2009. The Thinking Hand. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons
Gordon, J.E., 1990. Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down, London: Norton