Architecture and Sustainable Design MArch

This module introduces basic sustainable and environmental design principles and predictive methods for exploring the environmental performance of buildings.

Emphasis is placed on selective use of performance prediction tools (i.e. computer simulation and physical model testing) to enhance the design decision-making process. These tools are used to study the daylighting, thermal and ventilation aspects of architectural design, which form the basis for the integration of energy efficiency and sustainability in building design.

The purpose of this module is to develop architectural, urban design skills and awareness through the design of architectural and urban interventions at an appropriate scale and resolution, in response to a brief. Students are encouraged to engage with a specific design specialism, to adopt novel approaches to the generation of design concepts, and to develop these in detail in response to the circumstances of both the physical, cultural and intellectual context of the project.

This is a studio-based design module within a specialist design units (for example: architecture design, museum design, tall buildings, sustainable architecture design, architectural tectonics, sustainable urban design). The projects will involve the design of an architectural or urban intervention at an appropriate scale and resolution in response to an advanced design brief. The module provides higher-level skills and understanding necessary for postgraduate study within specialist streams and explores the integration and development of advanced specialist concepts, ideas, technologies and thinking within the architectural and urban design environment. Throughout the semester, students are expected to undertake in-depth conceptual development, design research, design testing and evaluation, and final presentation.

The purpose of this module is to develop advanced architectural and urban design skills and awareness through the design of architectural and urban interventions at an appropriate scale and resolution. Students are encouraged to engage with a specific design specialism, to adopt novel approaches to the generation of design concepts, and to develop these in detail in response to the circumstances of both the physical, cultural and intellectual context of the project.

This is a studio-based design module within a specialist design unit (for example: architecture design, museum design, design and build, tall buildings, sustainable design, architectural tectonics, urban design). The project will involve the design of an architectural or urban intervention at an appropriate scale and resolution in response to an advanced design brief. The module provides higher-level skills and understanding necessary for postgraduate study within specialist streams and explores the integration and development of advanced specialist concepts, ideas, technologies and thinking within the architectural and urban design environment. Throughout the semester, students are expected to undertake in-depth conceptual development, design research, design testing and evaluation, presentation and communication.

This module enables students to acquire the core skills used in research and practice these through an exploration of a specialist subject relevant to architecture and the built environment.

This module covers the skills and resources needed to conduct independent academic research, including how to present findings effectively. It will cover choosing a research topic, how to shape research literature search techniques, including the use of the web. As a result, students will be able to conduct their own primary research, including quantitative and qualitative methodologies; data collection and simple statistical analysis. Opportunities to practice these skills will be presented through participation in a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops designed to introduce specialist subject areas relevant to the field of architecture and related disciplines.

The Case Study Project is a module focused on learning from existing buildings and/or urban spaces through post-occupancy and performance monitoring and evaluation. The module offers opportunities for students to explore environmental design issues in depth, to further develop their preferred speciality and to develop academic writing skills.

Much of the work produced in this module has been published in international conferences or journals.

This module aims to enable students to plan, implement and write up a substantial piece of original research that will make a contribution to the intellectual life of the discipline.

Students can choose between a research dissertation or a design thesis project in the Summer term.

The dissertation module aims to enable students to plan, implement, and write up a substantial piece of original research that will make a contribution to the intellectual life of the discipline of urban design. The dissertation seeks to enable students to:

• demonstrate and develop research skills in their chosen area of study;

• select a topic of inquiry in consultation with relevant members of academic staff;

• search and critically review the appropriate literature;

• develop appropriate research questions for their chosen area of study;

• consider the ethical aspects of their investigation;

• select an appropriate methodology for their investigation

• collect data;

• rigorously explore and critically analyse data;

• interpret findings against what is already known in the field of study;

• critically evaluate and reflect on the study itself; and

• make appropriate suggestions for further research.

The design thesis project module is a research and studio-based module that aims to further develop advanced level design skills and knowledge. The structured project within the module builds upon the design, practical, and theoretical modules in the Autumn and Spring semesters and involves the completion of a detailed thesis design solution that should reflect the investigative research that is conducted through a written design research report. The design thesis project will enable students to:

• Define design research topic and identify challenges and issues which should be resolved during design practice;

• Construct and conduct good research with rigorous arguments, and apply the research outcome into design practice;

• Apply architectural and/or urban design principles within a design solution;

• Understand the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them to human needs and scale;

• Clearly and effectively convey and critically appraise design ideas and proposals;

• To form considered judgments about the contexts and qualities of a design;

• To demonstrate an understanding of relevant design theory in relation to the design project;

• To research and analyse context to inform design; and

• To develop advanced research, analytical, and writing skills.

Introducing you to the history and theory of urban design, during a two hour lecture each week you’ll be given an understanding of the design of the city and its elements, and develop skills in the diagnosis and analysis of urban patterns.

This module aims to provide a comprehensive grounding in renewable energy sources and allied conversion systems with the focus on their application within the built environment. The module will cover:

• energy principles
• solar energy resources
• solar thermal collectors
• solar photovoltaics
• wind energy
• district heating and heat pumps
• biomass energy
• CHP
• efficient boilers
• heat recovery

For each of the renewable and energy efficient systems, students will learn and develop an understanding of principle of operation, basic components, merit and limitations, and investigate the contribution they can make to a building's energy requirement with reference to their environmental impact.

This module explores the theories of how urban qualities for sustainable development are produced in our cities. Students will focus on understanding the role of neighbourhoods and how they are important catalysts promoting core urban qualities, such as urban diversity, identity and efficiency to reduce energy waste.

Sustainable urbanism is holistically introduced as a complex product of social integration and place attachment as well as polycentric urban structures reducing everyday commuting and thus environmental pollution. The module integrates both historical and international precedents.