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Architectural Design 4: Retrofitting - YSA00003I

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  • Department: York School of Architecture
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2026-27

Module summary

The second Architectural Design module of Year Two further develops the student’s ability to respond to a complex brief of mid-scale community projects, with a particular focus on retrofitting and re-using existing buildings to revitalise local cultures and traditions in collaboration with public communities. The module encourages experimental design approaches and focuses on developing the student’s understanding of the role of community, culture and heritage in driving architectural design. The student will address the various stages of the design development process; considering wider issues such as health and safety, sustainability, technical and construction constraints as well as associated professional considerations.

Professional requirements

Students studying this architecture degree will need to evidence a portfolio demonstrates a response to the RIBA themes and Values validation and that the course has 50% design components and 20% professional practice components

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2026-27

Module aims

This module aims to:

- further develop the student’s ability to respond to a complex brief of mid-scale projects;

- encourage experimental design approaches;

- develop the student’s understanding of the role of community, culture and heritage in driving architectural design.

- encourage the critical analysis of existing and past building precedents;

- develop awareness of health and safety, sustainability, technical construction constraints and associated professional considerations within architectural practice.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

LO1_ Design a community building, which demonstrates the integration of design strategies that consider societal characteristics and needs and respond to wider sustainable design issues;

LO2_ Employ various analytical tools and techniques related to building and building re-use in a culturally-rich context;

LO3_ Engage constructional and structural systems, environmental strategies and regulatory requirements that apply to the design and construction of a comprehensive design project;

LO4_ Prepare designs that will meet building users’ requirements and comply with UK legislation, appropriate performance standards and health and safety requirements.

LO5_ Integrate working within a group dynamic for a common purpose and the value of learning from peers, local community and professionals via group activities.

Module content

Building upon the foundations laid in the first semester, specifically in architectural design and the teachings of Architectural Humanities 2, this module extends the exploration of themes introduced earlier. It takes a deeper dive into:

  • The profound influence of cultural heritage, place memory, and the Genius Loci on the evolution of architectural concepts.

  • The emphasis is on understanding how new architectural interventions can effectively engage with historic and culturally-rich contexts, navigating the delicate balance between innovation and respect for the established cultural and historical fabric.

  • The importance of thorough contextual analysis that includes the study of site, climate, users and community; to inform the design decisions

  • The role of group work in architectural practice, particularly within the design team and with relevant stakeholders

  • The use of Site modelling for developing contextual ideas

The module connects to an overseas trip.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Additional assessment information

Rationale of 100% Portfolio Assessment

The adoption of portfolio assessment reflects the contemporary nature of Architecture practice. This approach encourages the students to view their work as complementary and interconnected rather than segregated and separate. It also helps them to continue improving the work until one assessment point.

For all 100% portfolio assessments, students will be informed of the weightings of constituent parts of the portfolio in the project briefs.

If a reassessment is required, students will be tasked with addressing major elements that were absent in their initial submission or reworking elements that did not meet the required standard. Subsequently, students will be required to resubmit these revised components as part of their full portfolio for re-evaluation.

For all multimedia written work, an indicative word length - or equivalent - has been provided. Artefacts, architectural drawings and illustrations would contribute to this word count, based on work quality.

Group Work

Group work is very important in architecture education to develop essential teamwork professional skills. As part of module learning, students will work collaboratively in groups and learn from one another. Portfolios will, however, be assessed on an individual basis.

The learning environment within a module will involve group work, but assessments will be individual.


PORTFOLIO [100%]

[Final Design Project should not exceed 12 -A2 pages or equivalent]

In Semester 2, the students will go through a ‘retrofitting’ design project, which will introduce them to public and participatory design approaches. The portfolio will demonstrate the work done throughout the semester.

The portfolio will be composed of the following:

MAIN COMPONENT:

Final design for all design projects

[percentages of marking weighting will be clearly indicated in projects’ briefs]

SUPPORTIVE COMPONENTS:

  • Design development of all design projects

  • Research/study work that drove the design decisions

  • Sketchbooks used for design development

  • Online media produced in support of the design projects (QR codes)


[The Portfolio marks are mainly granted to the final design project. All supportive components are to evident and showcase the student’s thinking process and trajectory throughout the semester]

The quality and efficiency of communication is essential. Short and efficient portfolios are highly encouraged. Maximum number and size of panels may be forced by projects’ briefs.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Module feedback

The semester will be divided into intervals in relevance to the project’s phases (will be clearly defined by the project brief). The project will accommodate scheduled small group/individual tutorials and 2-3 interim reviews of phased project development for formative feedback and to conclude by a final review in front of a group of colleagues, tutors (and typically an external reviewer). The students will receive a formative and peer feedback and guidance on work development for the inclusion in the final portfolio submission at the end of semester).

Verbal, drawn and written formative feedback will be given on interim and final reviews and a summative written feedback will be given on final submission of portfolio. The duration of feedback return will follow the University’s guidance.

Additional assessment information

Indicative reading

Essential:

Ching, F.D.K. and Shapiro, I.M. (2021) Green building illustrated. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Evans, B.M., McDonald, F. and Rudlin, D. (eds.) (2011) Urban identity. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

Feilden, B.M. (2015) Conservation of historic buildings. London: Routledge.

Hasman, M. (2023) Riba Climate Guide. London: RIBA Publishing.

Hill, J. (2022) Designs on history: The Architect as physical historian. London: RIBA Publishing.

Orbasli, A. (2008) Architectural conservation: Principles and practice. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science.

Penoyre, G. and Prasad, S. (2014) Retrofit for purpose: Low energy upgrade of non-domestic buildings. London: RIBA Publishing.

Pressman, A. (2012) Designing architecture the elements of process. London: Routledge.

Stone, S. (2020) Undoing buildings: Adaptive reuse and cultural memory. New York: Routledge.

Suhr, M., Hunt, R. and McCloud, K. (2019) Old house eco handbook. London, England: White Lion Publishing, an imprint of The Quarto Group.

Traynor, J. (2019) Enerphit: A step-by-step guide to low-energy retrofit. London: RIBA Publishing.

Williamson, Kenneth (2010) Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas. London: Routledge.


Recommended:

Brown, P. and Swan, W. (2013) Retrofitting the built environment. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.

Cotterell, J. and Dadeby, A. (2013) The Passivhaus Handbook: A practical guide to constructing and retrofitting buildings for ultra-low-energy performance. Cambridge, UK: UIT/Green Books.

Day, C. (2016) The eco-home design guide: Principles and practice for new-build and Retrofit. Cambridge: Green Books.

Hunt, J.D. (2023) Genius loci: An essay on the meanings of place. Reaktion Books, Limited.

Treib, M. and Aycock, A. (2009) Spatial recall: Memory in architecture and Landscape. New York: Routledge.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.