ARCT10010 Architectural Design I

Academic Year 2022/2023

Module Description
The Foundation Year studio programme seeks to unlock the creative and intellectual potential of each student. The programme introduces students to ways of observing, representing, making and thinking about architecture and the environment. It begins with a close-up consideration of spaces, objects, places, and events and gradually introduces a wider range of constructional, social, cultural and environmental concerns. The work is supported by learning a broad range of technical and representational skills, through a combination of studio work and independent but related Drawing and Making skills workshops.
The studio is also part of the Curriculum for Climate Action project. This is a shared, government-funded initiative across all Ireland's undergraduate architecture programmes, specifically focussed on the revision of studio modules to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work towards low-carbon and zero carbon designed environments. While this initiative informs the overall direction and outcomes of the studio module, it will also support specific input and exercises, consisting of three vertical sessions for years one to three and two module-specific sessions.

Structure
A series of set projects invite design responses across a range of scales employing different media, offering each student the means of developing a work method. These projects involve a combination of both individual and group work. A variety of visits to buildings and cultural events during the semester will provide a supporting cultural programme. Attendance at these events is mandatory. The module requires all students to make a collective exhibition of their work at the end of the semester. The mark in Drawing and Making Studio contributes 12% to the overall Design Studio Grade.

Submission
At the end of module each student is required to submit an individual, collated and organized physical and digital portfolio of work. The portfolio must include drawings, models, sketches and other studies to demonstrate the required outcomes.
Approximately 252 hours are dedicated to this module, including studio work, lectures, tutorials, seminars and reviews. Attendance in studio each week during scheduled studio hours is mandatory.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate through drawing and model-making an ability to observe and record objects and environments.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of scale and measurement and the ability to use them appropriately.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of three dimensional space and the ability to use spatial thinking creatively.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of materials and their assembly and apply this understanding to simple design solutions.

5. Demonstrate an understanding of the making of indoor and outdoor environments and apply this understanding to simple design solutions.

6. Demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas through a variety of visual media.

7. Demonstrate an awareness of issues relating to climate change and the built environment, and an ability to take measures to mitigate the impact of design decisions on climate.

Indicative Module Content:

Studies in space, material and structure.
Introduction to the design and making of indoor and outdoor environments.
Developing an understanding of social and cultural dimensions in architecture and learning from precedent.
Developing drawing and modelling skills and other forms of representing and communicating the built environment.
Recording and representing existing contexts and designing in context.
Introduction of knowledge base on climate and the environment.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Studio

252
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

302
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Key modes of teaching in this module will include: studio work to include active/task-based learning, enquiry-based learning, peer and group work, case-based or precedent study, lectures, reflective writing and student presentations. Representation skills are emphasised in drawing, model, collage and digital techniques. Students will work to reflect, collate, edit and present their research and design work for presentation and exhibition. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Portfolio: A portfolio containing the full range of work done by the student is submitted at the end of semester Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

100

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students are in weekly contact with their tutors in small group meetings. At these, student's work is discussed and summative feedback is provided that is focused on positively developing project ideas. It is not intended to grade ideas which are in the process of taking shape. Reviews are scheduled during the semester at which students will be given an indication of what development is required in the case of a project being underdeveloped. Written feedback is given after the Interim Review and after the final assessment.

Name Role
Mr Paul Durcan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Tiago Faria Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Eileen Fitzgerald Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Fiona McDonald Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Eibhlin Ni Chathasaigh Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Emer O'Daly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Michael Pike Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ellen Rowley Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Nasrin Seraji Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Joe Swan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Simon Walker Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Ruairi Finucane Tutor