ARCT41190

PURPOSE AND CONTENT

The teaching and learning aims for module ARCT 41190 and ARCT41180 are for learners to be supported and enabled to:

- Demonstrate individual strategies to address climate and architecture, framing this with the material /materials in architecture, the terms of conditions of contemporary practice in architecture and construction, and other fields; (INDIVIDUAL)

- Realise design project(s) which clearly test thinking in architecture; tests must be formed with reference to precedent, evidence and existing research in architecture and other relevant fields (noting that the operational definition of architecture in these studios is the intersection of the social, spatial and material) (COLLECTIVE)

- Communicate work on a regular basis; adopt positions of leadership on how work is exhibited, discussed and disseminated from the outset, to gather feedback and deepen learning (FEEDBACK)

The module is informed by a key thematic - Climate Action and the principles of the New European Bauhaus , which will be outline in more detail at the start of the semester and a briefing of which is available on Bright Space.

This module (together with ARCT 41180) is intended to provide a structure for learners to develop their own independently directed project in architecture. The culture of the module is one of parity of esteem and knowledge exchange. The module is structured using a series of Testing Cycles.

Knowledge exchange is supported and guided by a series of formal INPUTS and OUTPUTS. The majority of inputs are provided by teachers or invited experts. Learners are required, during the semester, to offer a series of OUTPUTS. These outputs are intended to advance the development of learners work through discussion, critique and public presentation. Learners will also be invited to share their work in teaching and learning scenarios (e.g. school-wide discussions) where their developing projects can be considered INPUTS.

There are a number of TESTING CYCLES in the module (these are detailed under ASSESSMENT). These cycles are intended to support students to make progress across this module(and module ARCT 41180). TESTING CYCLES invite students to reflect on work already done, to plan further work, building week on week towards some outcomes and conclusions, presented for discussion at pin up review sessions.

The TESTING CYCLES are also intended to further develop the learners’ design research methodologies. Research by design can be defined as a process of investigation leading to new insights effectively shared. Research by design is characterised by clear ambition, risk taking and openness, is speculative in nature, is critical of existing social conditions and power structures, mixes text, drawings, models, photographs, narrative, survey etc. in a fluid, creative and intrinsically dialectical process.

Students are invited to approach their thesis in diverse ways. Some will start to design immediately, allowing research questions to emerge from this design work. Others will commence by defining research questions through other modes of investigation/research and then allowing a design project to develop to address these questions.

Research by design might also be concerned with social processes and cultural analysis (essentially critiques of power and possible strategies for action) (Fraser, 2011).

Please note, for educational purposes, the use of Generative AI is not permitted in this module or in the collation of the portfolio, unless it is with prior agreement with the Module Coordinator and within academic integrity guidelines.