KA6045 - Design Project 2: Speculation

As a project-based module, primarily you will learn through doing; a cyclical process of intuition, reflection and iteration – that is, you will make, measure, learn, and change (…‘it’/ the artefact; the ‘situation’; yourself; etc.).
You will be supported through weekly tutorials with your design tutors, where you will receive verbal (and drawn) feedback and discuss the development of your contextual inquiry and responses, approaches and methods.
You will receive regular interim/ progress reviews and written formative feedback for the future development of your design project. You will write your own self-reflection following the reviews and you will be expected to participate in discussions with your peers regarding both your and their work.
You will be encouraged to utilise and contribute to peer-to-peer support and learning within the structures of year group cohort, in group work/ seminar groups, and in design studio.

You will be supported through weekly tutorials where you will discuss the development of your ideas and solutions to the design projects and agree approaches for achieving your design intent. Periods of self-directed learning are essential for your personal research, creative explorational and development of project work. You will be expected to demonstrate self-directed learning skills to manage your progress and project development.

The studio tutor(s) are facilitators to your self-directed learning. Collectively the tutor(s) and MArch students in each ‘vertical studio’ form a community of practice, where knowledge is generated collaboratively and evolutionarily, working with and alongside peers from both year groups.

Written summative feedback will be provide advice for further development and appraisal of your work and performance in the module.

Project material will be available on the eLearning Portal (ELP) so that you can access information when you need to; we operate an open door policy to help support student learning when it is needed. The university library offers support for all students through its learning and teaching initiatives, and its Ask4Help Online service.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

KU 1.. Articulate an understanding and application of the constraints within the discipline of architectural design through appropriate formal study of related theories, social and communal considerations, technologies, material properties, processes and legislative controls.

KU 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical, professional and social responsibilities of a design professional within a multi-disciplinary complex environment, and the interrelationship between people, buildings and the local and broader context.

KU 3. Exhibit the skills of independent learning and research to critically examine the full extent of the design problem; evaluate alternative approaches; and propose appropriate authentic solutions.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

IPSA 1. Demonstrate a high level of ability to understand the nature of, critically appraise, develop complex briefs to ensure the design response is innovative and appropriate.

IPSA 2 Apply the principles of management and demonstrate a critical appreciation of legislation to the design process.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity):

PVA 1. Articulate an awareness of, and critical and complex perspective on, contemporary influences on design, through study of related theoretical, social, ethical, technical, environmental, and cultural issues of architecture, the arts, urban design and related disciplines.

Formative feedback will be given within regular tutorials and at interim reviews to provide ongoing developmental guidance and reflection.

Summative assessment will take place at the end of the semester. Written feedback will be provided to aid future learning and study.

Project based activities reflect authentic practice and demand a portfolio output.

Summative assessment will be moderated.
Moderation of summative assessment at the end of the semester.

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In this project-based module you will demonstrate your developing praxis, that is practice informed by research and theory, through the design process and realisation of an architectural design proposal.
Within the conceptual scaffolding provided by the studio, you will develop the approach to your own, self-instigated design inquiry. Framed by the studio’s thematic, you will investigate the context, practices, and disciplines associated with contemporary architectural thought and application of sustainable environmental strategies. You will engage in group and individual inquiry, and will be expected to reach a high level of design and technical resolution at appropriate scale(s).You will develop proposals for your own site and brief; you will produce and communicate a coherent, resolved architectural design proposal; display criticality, skill, knowledge, and creativity, utilising appropriate visual, oral and written communication methods and media.