Advanced Architecture MA

The module provides an introduction to key architectural concepts, themes and theories that have been influential in the field of architecture globally from 1900 onwards. It also introduces a framework for the understanding of the ongoing discourses in the field. It engages with a wide range of written texts on architectural theory – whether these originate from within architecture or from other disciplines – as well as architectural designs that have been informed by those ideas.

The module aims to provide students with a critical and systematic understanding of the theoretical, practical and technological aspects of Building Information Modelling as a tool, as a process, and as a managerial method. Through a combination of formal lectures, presentations and seminars managed by academic staff and leading practitioners from the AEC industry, students will be able to scrutinise the multi-faceted impact of BIM on the whole project life-cycle based on a thorough understanding of the limitations of traditional project delivery and the several challenges that may restrict full BIM adoption in practice. The module will introduce students to the various concepts and technologies that underpin BIM practice such as nD modelling and maturity levels, common data environment and clouds, data exchange and design coordination, clash detection and model checking, and interoperability and Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs). Students will also get familiar with the national and international BIM standards and will be able to observe the growth of BIM adoption in the UK and worldwide. Furthermore, the module will present BIM as enabling tool/method to support building sustainability and will introduce students to different concepts that are shaping the wider context of BIM and its future potentials. The module will be complemented with case studies to show examples of successful BIM implementation within real building projects. The module will introduce students to the case study research, allowing students to investigate the applications of BIM within a real-life project while enhancing their academic writing and research skills.

This module introduces the key principles of climate sensitive design for different climates around the world. Students will learn how to use relevant software to help in climate design and will apply this knowledge to an assignment involving the conversion of shipping containers to climate-sensitive passive dwellings. The module is taught through a series of lectures, tutorials and workshops.

In parallel to the rapid evolution of digital technologies, architectural practice is similarly undergoing unprecedented, rapid transitional changes. New design tools, techniques and methodologies are being developed that are shifting the design processes from individual to collaborative, from disciplinary to interdisciplinary, and from implicit to explicit. The tools are becoming more adaptable, the processes are becoming more iterative and flexible, and the traditional form-based models are being abandoned in favour of data-rich and performative models.

This module will introduce students to the different computational design methods, such as performative design, generative and algorithmic design, as well as parametric design. Students will also be introduced to digital fabrication and will touch on some applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in architectural design. The students will therefore be able to scrutinise the real impact of the computational design methods on the architectural design process based on critical understanding of the nature, structure and methods of conventional design.

Students will also be able to critically and profoundly investigate the true potential of computational design in real practice through conducting case study research for an existing architectural project.

This module covers the scientific study of dynamic building simulation, how building designers can model a building and simulate its environmental and energy performances using software packages, and how the simulated data can be interpreted and assessed according to regulations and green building rating systems.

This module addresses the need for managing heritage and assessing the international and local factors that affect cultural heritage and its sustainable care and management. This module complements and develops further concepts and approaches outlined in the introductory module and instils methodological approaches and skills to apply heritage management within the context of conservation, architecture and urban design practice. The module equips the students to apply heritage management methods in following modules in semester two.
This module is based on active learning through interactive lectures and workshops. The students will be given the opportunity to apply their learning practically under the same or similar conditions as practitioners outside academia. Students will not only acquire research skills but they will also obtain analytical and interpretative skills of situations and facts towards making appropriate choices and developing effective solutions in relation to heritage management approaches. They will be assessed against both coursework and oral presentation, which give them an opportunity to develop both written and oral literacies.

This module introduces heritage as a complex phenomenon with significant values that play a vital role in all cycles of its life, including our current and future eras across the world. It provides the students with a comprehensive understanding of heritage and conservation policies and practice, and what heritage means; besides understanding how different stakeholders, including, policy makers, architects, planners, local governments, practitioners, international and local/ indigenous communities value it. The students will also be able to demonstrate international perspectives as professionals/citizens by being able to locate, discuss, analyse, and evaluate information from both local and international sources; besides considering issues from a variety of cultural standpoints. The students will be given ownership of their research activities and will have the opportunity to discuss their work in lectures and workshops, some of which will be directed by leading heritage professionals. The module also aims to link rigorous academic practices and methodologies to real world and employment-related scenarios. Additionally, the module aims to provide opportunities for the development of presentation, academic writing, and time management skills via variable and flexible activities throughout the semester.

Assessment is based on a coursework assignment and an oral presentation of the research background and methods, analysis findings and discussions.

Architectural Design 1: the design schemes set in this module are deliberately wide ranging in content to reflect a variety of scales (from urban to small scale) to reflect current issues and debates in the profession and the varying needs of the student cohort.

Net zero carbon design is a key response to how buildings will reduce their environmental impact and help combat climate change. This module considers developments in the environmental design of buildings, from the vernacular architecture of the past to the 21st Century target of net zero carbon. The module covers key carbon issues, such as embodied carbon, life cycle analysis and the retrofitting of existing buildings. The health of building users is an important factor in sustainable design, and the module reviews indoor conditions and their effects on physical and mental wellbeing. The module will be delivered as lectures (from tutors who are active researchers in net zero carbon design), as workshops, as site visits and as guest talks from practitioners. Assessment will be a detailed case study report (70%) and presentation (30%) of net zero carbon buildings located in two different climate regions.

This module aims to help students develop in-depth knowledge on urban design and enhance their design skills to address the complex urban challenges of our age. It intends to prepare students to become creative and problem-solving professionals. To do so, this module will introduce students to a wide range of urban design theories, design principles and processes which underpin the discipline of urban design. Students will have the opportunity to study and debate key issues in urban design, the disciplinary foundations of urban design, various topics about public spaces, the application of urban analytical techniques and methods for practice, as well as urban design governance in relation to the planning system. The module will draw examples or case studies from both the local and international contexts and encourage students to think critically about possible design interventions in different urban environments towards sustainable development and place-making. ​

Since this module is taught together with ARCH406 Urban Design which is a compulsory module for the accredited MArch programme in Architecture, ideally students who select this module need to have some design skills from previous training in Architecture, Planning or Landscape Architecture.

With the rapid development of Virtual Reality (VR) and Virtual Environments (VE), costs have now fallen to the point where it is feasible and practical for architects to consider integrating VR/VE in their design workflow. This module aims to give a theoretical and practical grounding in VR and VE to equip students with the tools to use this technology.

Students will be introduced to the historical context of virtual environments and virtual reality, and different related concepts such as augmented reality and mixed reality. They will experience different ways of interacting with the virtual environments through modelling, editing, visualising, immersing and walkthroughs.

Students will be able to explore profoundly different VR systems through a comparative study. They will be introduced to various software specialised in advanced 3D modelling and visualisation, and will be able to practice using this software through developing a detailed model for an existing space.

Research methods training for MA/MSc thesis

Research methods training for MA/MSc thesis

This module is an innovative alternative to the traditional teaching methodology of architectural theory.
“Outside-in” is an in-depth analysis of theoretical discourse viewed from outside the prevailing discipline of architectural thought.

Contemporary intellectual and academic writings in philosophy, sociology, semiotics, linguistics, and other art forms are proposed as a unified analytic tool. These are to be reviewed in group seminars on a weekly basis where the student is encouraged to debate the architectural implications of each set text. Based on one of the week’s themes students will provide a presentation which will be marked. An essay title is then proposed by the student together with appropriate subject matter to be written about.

The module is designed to develop the necessary understanding of the design and management of effective workflows in BIM-enabled collaborative settings. The focus of the module will be to introduce new ways of working, strategies and implementation plans necessary for the successful adoption of BIM on project and organisational levels. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) will be introduced and its contribution to early collaboration and effective decision making will be discussed and exemplified with real projects on both local and global scales. Students will be introduced to the concepts of data sharing in file-based and model server environments, basics of different models and data formats and interoperability. An important focus will be understanding the necessary information and data flows in different stages of the project and building life cycle. The module will also aim to develop a comprehensive awareness of the BIM requirements by the UK Government and the current global use of BIM as an integrated platform.
Students will have the opportunity to undertake tasks and activities similar to those BIM specialists undertake in real practice, such as presenting the opportunities, obstacles, tasks and activities associated with BIM implementation within collaborative project delivery, and working within groups to provide a BIM implementation plan for a hypothetical project.

This module covers the scientific study of climate change, how building designers can adapt and mitigate against future changes, how future climate data are generated and used in computer simulation programmes.

The module will introduce students to the cutting-edge technologies and the state-of-the-art methods to foster an understanding of the development of the construction industry. It will offer students the opportunity to explore, analyse and scrutinise those innovative technologies and methods, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Off-site Construction/Modular Construction, Digital Twins, Internet of Things, and Reality Capture.

The students will be able to investigate the technologies, methods and factors that are driving the digital transformation in the construction industry based on a critical understanding of the nature of the construction industry, the typical role of construction managers and the inefficiencies in traditional construction methods.

The module provides students with knowledge of conventional and innovative ways of recording, digitizing, visually presenting and virtually experiencing different heritage assets. These come in different forms and shapes from architectural to archaeological sites and artefacts, and from movable heritage to oral history. Students will produce a fieldwork report, including images and text. Therefore, along with digitisation and IT skills specific to heritage contexts, students will acquire heritage drawing, communication and teamwork skills. Hands-on workshops with heritage experts will enhance students’ experience and employability skills. Assessment is based on an oral presentation of the findings and a coursework assignment consisting of fieldwork report.

This module will provide an opportunity to develop hands-on skills and experience in generating both domain-specific and collaborative design models, and merging models for design coordination, clash detection, model checking and 4D simulation. Students will be introduced to various 3D BIM packages and develop a comprehensive understanding of working with different BIM models including data sharing, merging information, and interoperability across various BIM and CAD packages aligned with their domain expertise. Students will also be introduced to the legal implications for data sharing.

In addition, the module will offer students the opportunity to experience design-based and experimental research within a team-based research group, and report their work progress and results based on a comprehensive understanding of the concepts of ‘Open BIM’ and Industry Foundation Classes (IFC).

A studio based architectural design project which leads on from ARCH711.

This module is a continuation of ARCH729 and will deepen the knowledge gained in parametric modelling tools and fabrication, focusing on advanced fabrication and assembly techniques as well as the development of prototypes in 1:1 one scale.

It is now recognised that buildings, through the materials they consume, the waste they generate and the energy they use, are having a major impact upon the environment. Climate change is one manifestation of this impact, and at national and international levels targets are being set for reducing the CO2 emission associated with the built environment. New regulations to meet these targets will influence the ways in which buildings are designed and engineered both today and in the future. This module aims to address these issues by developing an understanding of the principles underpinning environmentally sustainable design and develop skills for more sustainable design practices in areas such as passive design, sustainable construction and low impact building materials.

A primary aim of this module is to offer the opportunity to submit a conventional written dissertation on an individual, approved topic related to the student’s degree topic.

A primary aim of this module is to offer the opportunity to submit a ‘ Research by Design’ thesis which combines a thorough piece of research culminating in a design project. This should respond to current research agendas in the fields of architecture, sustainability, computational design, history, heritage or BIM and in particular the idea of design-led research. It is expected that the majority of students will work individually but, with the prior agreement of the Programme Director, students undertaking a Research by Design Thesis may be permitted in pairs where the project is of sufficient complexity. Clear demarcation of individual contributions to the project must be evident in the final submission.

A primary aim of this module is to offer the opportunity to submit a design thesis with supporting documentation on an approved topic or brief of their choice It is expected that the majority of students will work individually but, with the prior agreement of the Director of Studies, students undertaking a Design Thesis may be permitted in pairs where the project is of sufficient complexity. Clear demarcation of individual contributions to the project must be evident in the final submission.