Professional Studies

Code

ABEE4041

School

Architecture and Built Environment

Level

4

Credits

20

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

The module provides an overview of architectural practice, with particular emphasis on legal frameworks, forms of contract, and structure of architect’s services (RIBA Work Stages). In particular, it covers construction law, building regulations and planning law, with an emphasis on practical application in the co-requisite studio’s comprehensive design project. 

The scope also includes consideration of information management and modelling, the approach to estimating construction project cost, thinking about procurement routes, forms of contract and design development. The module covers significant elements of the ARB mandatory competence for fire and life safety, and RIBA Themes and Values 1, 2 and 6, covering health and life safety, ethical practice and business skills. 

The programme has been devised to integrate with the accompanying Architectural Design Studio, so that you can take the benefit of testing many of the professional topics that will be studied as your scheme develops. Areas of statutory compliance, project costs, procurement, fee bidding and client team are all to be based on work you are doing in the design studio. This will not only offer you efficiencies in learning, but in conjunction with the requirements of ABEE4038 (technical) and ABEE4032 (design studio) ensure you develop a holistic understanding of the development of a project.Studies in each area will be developed week by week  to ensure that the required Stage Reports are compiled as you progress through the module, streamlining the demand on your time as the deadline approaches.

Target Students

MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2) K10I and K10X; U7PATTAR and U7PATTAR3.

Classes

• One 2-hour workshop each week for 12 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 12 weeks

Activities are planned for every teaching week of the Semester, with the occasional skills-based workshops (refer to year timetable. The teaching and learning in this module will involve attendance at weekly lectures and workshops. It is expected that students will engage in such a way as to apply knowledge, understanding and abilities from this module to the co-requisite design studio's activities/projects. Guest speakers will be invited to deliver case-specific lectures and conduct workshops activities.

Assessment

• 20% Coursework 1: Group work report - Each component of assessment must be passed with a minimum mark of 40% to pass the module overall
• 60% Coursework 2: Individual report - Each component of assessment must be passed with a minimum mark of 40% to pass the module overall.
• 20% Coursework 3: Individual report - Each component of assessment must be passed with a minimum mark of 40% to pass the module overall.

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

- an understanding of the nature of professionalism, integrity and competence of the architect, and the duties and responsibilities architects and clients, building users, constructors, co-professionals and the wider society; 
- an understanding of procurement routes and appropriate contracts and the way that forms of contract affect the cost control mechanisms an architectural project; - an understanding of the architect within the design team and construction industry, recognising the importance of current methods and trends in the construction of the built environment; 
- knowledge of the fundamental legal, professional and statutory responsibilities of the architect, and the organisation, regulations and procedures involved in the negotiation and approval of architectural designs, including land law, development control, building regulations and health and safety legislation;
- an understanding of the professional interrelationships of individuals and organisations involved in procuring and delivering projects, and how these are defined through contractual and organisational structures; 
- to be able to critically examine the financial factors implied in varying building types, constructional systems, and specification choices, and the impact of these on architectural design, and understand the cost control mechanisms which operate during the development of a project; 
- to be able to to apply this knowledge and understanding in a practical, professional and commercial context; 
- an understanding of the core principles of information management and modelling;
- an understanding of practice operation, managerial skills and business development.  

This module supports the following ARB Criteria at Part 2, through assessment (A) – supporting a student to have:

GC4.3 knowledge of current planning policy and development control legislation, including social, environmental and economic aspects, and the relevance of these to design development.

GC6.1 understanding of the nature of professionalism and the duties and responsibilities of architects to clients, building users, constructors, co-professionals and the wider society.

GC6.2 understanding of the role of the architect within the design team and construction industry, recognising the importance of current methods and trends in the construction of the built environment.

GC6.3 understanding of the potential impact of building projects on existing and proposed communities.

GC7.3 understanding of the contributions of architects and co-professionals to the formulation of the brief, and the methods of investigation used in its preparation.

GC10.1 skills to critically examine the financial factors implied in varying building types, constructional systems, and specification choices, and the impact of these on architectural design.

GC10.2 skills to understand the cost control mechanisms which operate during the development of a project.

GC10.3 skills to prepare designs that will meet building users’ requirements and comply with UK legislation, appropriate performance standards and health and safety requirements.

GC11.1 knowledge of the fundamental legal, professional and statutory responsibilities of the architect, and the organisations, regulations and procedures involved in the negotiation and approval of architectural designs, including land law, development control, building regulations and health and safety legislation;

GC11.2 knowledge of the professional inter-relationships of individuals and organisations involved in procuring and delivering architectural projects, and how these are defined through contractual and organisational structures;

GC11.3 knowledge of the basic management theories and business principles related to running both an architect’s practice and architectural projects, recognising current and emerging trends in the construction industry.

GA2.5 understanding of the context of the architect and the construction industry, including the architect’s role in the processes of procurement and building production, and under legislation;

GA2.6 problem solving skills, professional judgment, and ability to take the initiative and make appropriate decisions in complex and unpredictable circumstances; and

GA2.7 ability to identify individual learning needs and understand the personal responsibility required to prepare for qualification as an architect.

Conveners

• Mr Graeme Barker