AA3DS5N: Design Studio Five

Module code: AA3DS5N

Module provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Miss Michelle Tomlinson , email: m.tomlinson@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE AA3HTAN AND TAKE AA3REA1 AND TAKE AA3REA2 AND TAKE AA3DS6N (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to develop students’ design skills and creativity and to provide opportunities to apply knowledge and skills developed from across the Architecture curriculum.

This is the fifth in a series of related design modules. It provides opportunities to develop creativity and design skills within a studio environment and for students to apply skills and knowledge gained across the undergraduate curriculum to design projects of increasing complexity. Students will utilise traditional skills as well as skills related to the use of digital technologies to explore and develop their design capabilities.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Define user requirements and prepare briefs for complex architectural design projects;
2. Demonstrate a well-developed understanding of various analytical tools and techniques related to complex architectural projects, and an ability to use such tools and techniques effectively;
3. Prepare and present building design projects of diverse scale, complexity, and type in a variety of contexts, using a range of media, and in response to a brief; GC 1.1
   Demonstrate an understanding of constructional and structural systems, environmental strategies and regulatory requirements that apply to the design and construction of a comprehensive design project; GC 1.2
4. Develop a conceptual and critical approach to architectural design that integrates and satisfies the aesthetic aspects of a building and the technical requirements of its construction and the needs of the user; GC 1.3
5. Apply appropriate theoretical concepts to studio design, demonstrating a reflective and critical approach; GC 2.3
6. Demonstrate an appreciation of the way in which buildings fit into their local context; GC 5.3
7. Critically review precedents relevant to the function, organisation and technological strategy of design proposals; GC 7.1
8. Appraise and prepare briefs of diverse scales and types, to define client and user requirements and their appropriateness to site and context; GC 7.2
9. Prepare designs that will meet building users' requirements and comply with UK legislation, appropriate performance standards and health and safety requirements. GC 10.3
10. The ability to generate design proposals using understanding of a body of knowledge, some at the current boundaries of professional practice and the academic discipline of architecture; GA 1.1
11. The ability to apply a range of communication methods and media to design proposals clearly and effectively. GA 1.2

Module content

Students will undertake the design of a complex architectural project, such as:

1. A mixed-use development;
2. A complex building and/or a building of some complexity and size.

Students will develop design proposals at various scales, ranging from masterplans to building details. Opportunities will be created through associated lectures at various points in the course to introduce key issues around developing the client brief and understanding the site.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will predominantly be taught within the studio environment by tutors working with small groups of students over the duration of a project. Students will generate design proposals in studio, making use of workshop facilities and technical support.

The module will engage invited consultants such as engineers and other specialists to support the development of integrated architectural design projects. Such activities will be supported by lectures, and tutorials which will incorporate 'crit' sessions. The modules will involve exploration and knowledge-sharing and collaboration, providing extensive opportunities for peer-to-peer learning.

Study hours

At least 66 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

The work is reviewed at interim reviews / assessments which include a tutor and peer discussion and which may include a feedback rubric.

Reassessment

Additional costs