Architectural Technology BSc(Hons)

Services in buildings facilitate interactions between the building and its internal and external environments. As such, buildings should be equipped with appropriate services to make those habitable. The current global drive for sustainable environments demands that the modern services in buildings should focus on providing comfortable living environments to building occupants through the most sustainable means. Within this context, this module provides an opportunity for you to explore the concepts and relevant technologies in building services and their links with environmental sciences.

This module aims to provide an introduction to the digital technologies in construction, with a focus on the applications of Building Information Modelling (BIM). The module will start from the traditional Computer Aided Design (CAD) applications, such as 2D and 3D CAD, and continue to the latest development of BIM, including 4D and 5D BIM. The concept of nD modelling is introduced together with other emerging technologies including robotics, laser scanning and 3D printing, which are used in the construction industry worldwide.

This module focuses on the practical application of materials, components and systems to small-scale structures and buildings. It provides you with an opportunity to apply technology to the design process along with developing an understanding of the importance of architectural detailing in conjunction with appropriate construction methods. This module aims to support the exploration and communication of ideas in a variety of forms appropriate to architectural technology, as well as enabling you to develop your communication skills. The module facilitates the development of presentation skills through presentations of drawings and models of carefully detailed components. You will be encouraged to integrate practical, technical and theoretical skills from other modules.

This module introduces three main areas. Firstly, Structures - through an exploration of structural equilibrium and the assessment of stress and deformation in simple elements, the module will discuss the properties of building materials and the implications for element design. An introduction to civil engineering and groundworks is provided. Secondly, Buildings Fabric Design - common materials, assemblies and construction techniques used to achieve safe, environmentally sound and aesthetic constructions will be explained and exemplified. Common failures in materials and assemblies will be highlighted. Thirdly, Environmental Design - a building’s fabric and services combine to create an internal environment that the occupants find comfortable and pleasurable. This extends to physiological (and psychological), thermal, visual and acoustic comfort, and the health and wellbeing of the occupants. You’ll consider how responsive design (both passive and interactive) can be utilised to provide the internal conditions necessary for comfort. All of the above topics will be considered in relation to sustainable design necessary for protecting local and global environments.

The module continues to develop your understanding of technological innovation in architecture in relation to Structures, Building Fabric Design and Environmental Design. Structures - You will explore using a variety of materials and assemblies and you’ll consider their behaviour under gravity and lateral loading. Different foundations and earth-retaining structures will be introduced and methods for the assessment of stability will be developed. You’ll be introduced to the principles of designing structural members subject to bending and axial loading and the principles of elastic behaviour in structural members of any cross-section. Building Fabric Design - You’ll consider more advanced construction techniques and building systems and you will extend and develop your technical vocabulary, your appreciation of natural and synthetic material elements, and the principles and techniques of their transformation into objects and components used in the assembly of buildings and building components. Environmental Design - You’ll develop further the consideration of psychological and physiological, thermal, visual and acoustic comfort, and the effects on building occupants. Because of the close relationship between environmental systems, energy consumption and the health and wellbeing of a building’s occupants, issues of sustainability will be considered at all stages. In particular, you’ll focus on the range of environmental control systems found in buildings and how these affect our interaction with the spaces we inhabit and the artefacts and services we use. General services used to provide safety and facility in buildings will be considered such as mechanical movement, electrical and drainage systems.

The aim of the module is to provide you the opportunity to develop advanced skills in digital modelling, analysis and simulation. It will enable you to have the competence to work in a BIM based digital environment. The module will start from conceptual design collaboration, BIM based computational design and continue to the multidisciplinary design coordination and 4D construction simulation. It will cover the key digital design technologies in diverse stages of a construction project.

This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to develop your understanding of architectural technology and construction techniques and aims to provide an integrated approach to design with particular emphasis on the relationship between forms, structures, building fabric and environmental science. The project-based nature of the module provides you with an opportunity to explore construction law, regulations and procurement options along with the related contractual arrangements. You will appreciate the influence of different client priorities on the construction procurement process and will also observe the roles, responsibilities and contractual obligations of the stakeholders of the construction industry, and related legislative frameworks. The module also introduces you to the relationship between cost and specifications through an examination of industry’s standard method of measurement, and how to specify materials for tender and construction purposes. The module takes an analytical approach towards the production and communication of production information.

In this module you will be given an introduction to the legal framework and approaches associated with the conservation of buildings. The module will introduce the causes and nature of building defects likely to occur in a range of contemporary and traditional buildings. Supplemented by a substantial amount of background reading, you will develop the skills needed to understand problematic material-based issues that arise in various types of construction.

Carbon emissions, sustainability and energy efficiency are current key concerns worldwide. The construction industry is among the biggest contributors to carbon emissions and consumes significant amounts of energy on a daily basis; hence considering environmental impact and driving the sustainability agenda is essential. The module will help you promote sustainability in new construction designs and look into strategies to improve the existing building stock. You will be able to further develop your understanding of the relationship between sustainable design and construction processes.

This module provides you with an opportunity to lead an investigation into an area of the Built Environment that is of interest to you. You will choose and define the topic, research relevant information (either primary or secondary), set that information in the context of an appropriate intellectual framework, draw relevant conclusions, and write up and submit the project in an approved format. A support lecture programme and an individual research supervisor are provided.

The role of the Architectural Technologist is enhanced by learning advanced digital tools. In this module, you will further develop your skills and knowledge of the digital technologies used by architectural technologists in the communication of design and construction information. Such technologies include, for example, virtual reality, augmented reality, photogrammetry, unmanned aerial vehicles and 3D scanning technologies.