Studio & professional skills 2- Public engagement analogue, parametric & digital communication - YSA00005I

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Module summary

This is the second of 3 modules that introduce professional skills through introduction to key issues impacting the profession of the architect .These modules will consider the RIBA criteria related to Ethical and professional practice and at each level will introduce key design processes and communication skills.

This module will introduce aspects of professionalism that relate to collaboration and community engagement and the role and responsibility of the architect in society . In addition professional communication skills will be taught developing analogue and digital skills relevant for professional practice.

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. This module is part of an set of nodules that will evidence RIBA themes and values criteria

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 2 2026-27

Module aims

This module aims to equip students with a good understanding of the development and management of architectural practice, with a focus on the modern architectural firm.

The range of career opportunities that are available for an architect and to introduce skills of collaborative working, Co – design and community engagement .

In addition, advanced professional skills will be developed.

Module learning outcomes

Upon the completion of this module, the student will be able to:

LO1_ exhibit a comprehensive understanding of the industry context surrounding architecture; recognising the significance of the construction and property industries to society and the economy.

LO2_ apply principles of co-design and effective collaboration through community engagement.

LO3_ exhibit a nuanced understanding of ethics and responsibilities within the architectural profession; articulating the professional responsibilities of architects to society, clients, and the broader profession.

LO4_ exhibit advanced architectural communication skills, showcasing proficiency in both parametric and digital communication, and to demonstrate proficiency in employing 3D modelling for communicating complex architectural ideas.

Module content

This module will cover four main topics :
1.0 The industry context – including the importance of the construction and property industries to society and to the economy; the government policy dimension; how these industries function in practice; the architectural profession , particularly the role; concepts of professionalism; professional institutions, etc

1. Community engagement and collaborative working – the role of the architect in enabling a project – principles of co design and successful collaboration working at relevant stages of a design project

1. Ethics and responsibilities – what are the professional responsibilities of the architect – to society, to the client and the profession

2. Advanced Communication Skills – this module will advance the students’ architectural communication skills, with the focus on:

4.1 Parametric and digital communication- demonstrate capability in a range of digital skills and introduction to various software.

4.2 Physical model making – introducing a range of techniques that compliment the digital communication skills using the workshop and appropriate tools including laser cutters , 3D printers and hand tools

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%]

This module aims to equip students with a good understanding of the development and management of architectural practice, with a focus on the modern architectural firm. An introduction to the Architecture profession. Also the construction industry and roles within. Hence within the module, a group work environment is employed to mimic architectural practice and the integrated interdisciplinary work environment. Yet, the assessment will be individual..

The portfolio will be composed of a complete creative work; the outcome will generally be composed of complementary connected elements, generally as follows (percentages are indicative- exact percentages will be clearly indicated by the assignment brief):

Individual Critical Report

A short written report (500-1000 words) on the work development and outcome in relation to the professional practice and guidelines (individual)

Individual Drawn Component

The main professional communication of architectural ideas is via 2D and 3D drawings. Depending on the assignment’s focus, an individual student will create a professional architectural drawing for an assigned project.

Individual Made Component

The students will build a scaled 3D model of the drawings they developed (scale may vary, and can be of life scale, depending on the project).

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Module feedback

The work will be developed in a group work environment, mimicking typical professional context. It will be the group’s responsibility to explore and decide on the work progress, task distribution, and general time management.

There will be announced guiding key milestones with scheduled groups tutorials are scheduled for work development review and formative feedback for the final portfolio submission.

The collective work will be submitted at the end of the semester.

It is important to highlight that this module is designed to support the students with essential professional skills on public engagement for their parallel Architectural Design module.

Indicative reading

Chappell, D., and Willis, A., (2010) The architect in practice, 10th edition. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell

Hackett, M., Robinson, I., and Statham, G., eds. (2007) The Aqua Group guide to procurement, tendering and contract administration. Oxford: Blackwell

Murdoch, J.R., and Hughes, W.P., (2008) Construction contracts: law and management, 4th edition. London: Taylor & Francis.

Ostime, N., (2013a) RIBA Job Book, 9th edition. London: RIBA Publishing

Ostime, N., (2013b) Handbook of practice management, 9th edition.London: RIBA Publishing

Schmalz, .B. (2014) The architect’s guide to writing: for design and construction professionals. Victoria, Australia: Images Publishing

Wevill, J., (2015) Law in Practice: The RIBA Legal Handbook (2nd edition). London: RIBA Publishing

Deutsch, R., (2011) BIM and integrated design: Strategies for architectural practice. NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., and Liston, K., (2011) BIM Handbook: A guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors. NJ: John Wiley and Sons

Jernigan, F., E., (2008) BIG BIM little bim, 2nd edition. Salisbury MD: 4site Press

Kieran, S. and Timberlake, J., (2004) Refabricating Architecture: How manufacturing methodologies are poised to transform building construction. McGraw- Hill

Winch, G., (2012) Managing construction projects Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Miro. E (2019)Advanced Architectural Modelmaking. Norton Professional books

Kolarevic, B., (2005) Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing. Abingdon:

Taylor & Francis

van Schaik, L., (2008) Spatial Intelligence: New Futures for Architecture. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Farrelly, L., (2012), Drawing for Urban Design. London: Laurence King

Lansdown ,H , (2019)Digital Modelmaking: Laser Cutting, 3D Printing and Reverse Engineering . Crowood press Ltd

AEC (UK) CAD & BIM Standards Site(http://aecuk.wordpress.com/documents/) entries such as:

AEC (UK) BIM Protocol (http://aecuk.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/aecukbimprotocol-v2-0.pdf) with supplementary guidelines

Norton, P. (2018)Public Consultation and Community Involvement in Planning-A twenty-first century guide. Routledge

Tewdwr- Jones , M ( 2021)Digital participatory planning: Citizen engagement, democracy, and design, Routledge

Ferdous, F . ( 2021) all inclusive engagement in architecture . Routledge