BA (Hons) Architecture
THE COURSE
This course provides a vital introduction to the architectural
profession. A major strength of the course is its location within a
specialist University College with the potential for students to
study additional creative and cultural disciplines and determine
their individual sphere of practice through interdisciplinary
collaboration across fine art, design and media. The BA (Hons)
Architecture Part 1 qualification is prescribed by the Architects
Registration Board (ARB), subject to periodic review by ARB, for
the purposes of entry onto the United Kingdom Register of
Architects on completion of Part 1, 2 and 3. For further
information about ARB and the prescription of architectural
qualifications see the Education section of the ARB website –
www.arb.org.uk. This qualification is
also currently a RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects)
Candidate Course for Part 1 Exemption.
As a student of Architecture at the University College you will have the opportunity to experiment with drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, modelmaking, video and electronic media. With this breadth of skill and experience you will be able to propose challenging and innovative places and work collaboratively with other specialisms. Collaborative partnerships with architectural practices, industry liaison groups, placement opportunities and formal links with a range of international institutions will ensure you are involved with live projects which address environmental, social, and economic issues. A network of practising architects, engineers, designers and interior architects will ensure the course relevance to innovative professional practice, through lectures, visits and studio projects.
The course explores architecture as the reflective practice of making tangible, enjoyable, thoughtful, inhabited places. Through a process of making propositions and intellectual reflection (“making/thinking”) you will build an understanding of works of architecture as places that both house our lives and challenge our expectations. The course will draw on specialist knowledge and experience from contemporary practice in architecture and related disciplines, and examine design issues through realised projects with sound theoretical grounding. This will include occasional travel to see examples of excellence in architectural design in Britain and beyond. Each year of study centres the learning and teaching experiences on a broad theme.
RESOURCES
The course is situated in a new custom-built studio, in an intimate
campus environment. Each student will have their own workspace,
important for personal development and for building our active
studio culture. You will work predominantly in the studio, sharing
your learning experiences with others in a supportive
student-centred environment, and will also have access to the
nearby well-resourced 3D workshops with manual and digital
manufacturing equipment. There is wireless computer access in the
studio with the aim of encouraging students to integrate digital
understanding and outcomes into their processes, as well as access
to further computer provision. The adjacent specialised library
provides a range of relevant material in architecture and the
arts.
YEAR 1
Year 1: Architecture and Material Culture. Following an
introduction to key concepts and methods, you will start by making
physical models and exploring forms of representation and
manipulation of architectural form by graphic, photographic and
digital means. Small scale individual and group studio projects
allow an exploration of the methods of realisation, including the
conventions of architectural drawing as a means of communication,
and methods of construction. In parallel with design projects, you
will also broaden your understanding of both historical and
contemporary precedents in architectural design. All work is
thoroughly documented and presented in a final individual
portfolio.
YEAR 2
Year 2: Urban Interventions. You will build on the making
experiences by exploring the issues of building in the local urban
context through architectural intervention projects. This will
include the measurement, research, analysis, and representation of
a local site. Through an informed understanding of context, you
will propose innovative and thoughtful interventions to house
public, convivial activities associated with the economic and
physical opportunities of the local urban context. Theory and
history will inform the understanding of the unique cultural
context of the region. The special technical issues of building
with existing buildings and their role in a sustainable city will
be considered.
YEAR 3
Year 3: Social Practice. Through a single architecturalchallenge,
you will explore the role of the architect in making architecture.
Methods and precedents of practice in shaping the built environment
will be focused on contemporary issues of architecture, responding
to the social context of architectural practice. Architectural
design will be explored as one of the ways in which our built
environment is conceived and perceived. The role of the architect
will be considered alongside the motivations of clients,
development, construction, planning, legal regulation and wider
social, economic and cultural values. The vehicle for this
consideration will remain a physical proposition for built form,
and include the integration of the various service requirements and
an understanding of construction processes. You will demonstrate
the necessary skills in both drawings and digital media (including
CAD) and the year will conclude with the production of a portfolio
of work which will prepare you for employment or post-graduate
study (including ARB part 2), while providing a qualification with
transferable skills suitable to the wider creative industries.
INTERVIEWS AND PORTFOLIOS
Interviews are an opportunity for you to demonstrate to us your
self-motivation and commitment to your area of study. We will be
particularly interested in exploring how you have responded to a
given brief from your school or college. We will expect to see
written as well as contextual work, with samples of three
dimensional pieces you have produced (the pieces themselves or a
photographic record of them). We would also like to see sketchbooks
which demonstrate thinking and curiosity, and some observational
drawing. If you can provide samples of work which you have produced
outside of your studies this will also help reinforce your
portfolio.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
This course aims to develop highly skilled, insightful and creative
graduates and students will need to show creativity,
self-motivation, passion and enthusiasm towards a career in
architecture. You will need to be able to demonstrate three
dimensional ability, observational drawing skills, curiosity and
problem-solving skills, theoretical understanding and a real
interest in the design of both domestic and public places.
SKILLS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Students may choose to take an external year working in practice
and then continue their studies for a further two years to obtain a
postgraduate Diploma in Architecture (ARB Part 2). Other students
may use this first degree as a pathway to postgraduate study in
other design-related fields.
ARB Part 1 is subject to periodic review. Current Prescription applies to all graduates of BA (Hons) Architecture between 17th September 2009 and 16th September 2013. RIBA Part 1 is subject to a Visiting Board.
COURSE DETAILS
Mode of Study: Full-time
Course Duration: 3 years
Institution Code: A66
UCAS CODE
K100
Course Leader
Simon Beeson
CONTACT
Admissions
Tel: 01202 363228/363225
Email: admissions@aucb.ac.uk
