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Architectural design

Study of architectural design could include:

• briefmaking, briefing and methodologies
• alternative design methodologies
• critical appraisal of other architects’ work
• constructional detailing techniques
• structural systems
• building services systems
• design appraisals/crits in the practice
• clients approval processes and recording approvals and changes
• assessing the value of design.

Sustainable architecture

Sustainable architecture can be defined as the inter-relation between the social, environmental and economic aspectsof the built environment. You might consider:

• climactic design and the relationship between climate, built form, construction, lifestyle, energy consumption and human well-being
• building technologies
• environmental design and construction methods in relation to human well-being, the welfare of future generations, the natural world and the consideration of a sustainable environment
• pertinent legislation, statutory requirements and building regulations.

Design for accessibility

The legal and statutory requirements and best practice for building design as they are relevant for universal design for access, inclusion, and the needs of all members of society but especially the elderly and disabled people. The DDA and Part M of the Building Regulations in the UK or local equivalent.

RIBA and ARB codes of conduct

The professional duties and responsibilities of architects, as defined in the Codes and Standards relating to their professional practice. Acting in accordance with these requirements and the concept of professionalism.

Best practice in the construction industry

Current and emerging trends in the construction industry such as partnering, integrated project processes, value engineering, lean construction, risk management, key performance indicators, design quality indicators and integrated supply chain management.

Cultural context

• The influences on the contemporary built environment of individual buildings, the design of cities, past and present societies and wider global issues.
• The histories and theories of architecture and urban design, the history of ideas, and the related disciplines of art, cultural studies and landscape studies and its application in critical debate.
• The inter relationship between people, buildings and the environment and an understanding of the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them to human needs and scale.
• Critical appraisal and formation of considered judgements about the spatial, aesthetic, technical and social qualities of a design within the scope and scale of a wider environment.

Context of the brief

 

• Procurement routes: factors influencing procurement routes and decisions, planning, financing models and methods, types of contracts (see also section for procurement and building contracts under the managing projects section of the curriculum).
• Legislative and government guidance affecting client requirements and building standards.
• Design standards of non-government clients e.g. funding institutions, insurance providers.