Interior Architecture and Venue Design with Foundation Year
BA (Hons)

This module has been developed to engender a creative approach to the development of new solutions to design problems through the exploration of form and space while recognising both historical and contemporary influences the culture and the environment within which design is practised.

This module invites you to prepare, modify and enhance designs using CAD software as the principal platform. You will be able to explore various features and functions of CAD software and apply them in the design process. It provides you with an introduction to the knowledge and skills required to use appropriate computer software as an aid to design in the built environment industry.

You will be introduced to the free hand drawing and physical modelling techniques and to the principles of axonometric and perspective drawing. Simple concepts of spatial layout and organisation and three dimensional designs will be investigated. You will be developing your professional skills throughout the module with the support of embedded Personal Development Planning.

The module will also develop your skills in visual analysis that will be required in later programme modules.
The prime aim of this module is to introduce and develop the skills required for conceptual and critical thinking within art, design and architecture.

The module will enable you to develop and use skills to communicate your progressing understanding of cultural, historical, social, political and technological contexts from antiquity to recent times in art, design and architecture.

The effect of legislation on building design and layout will be explored alongside basic concepts of design and design methodologies as well. You will be introduced to design theory through practical experimentation in 3D form and space. You will be developing your professional skills throughout the module with the support of embedded Personal Development Planning.

This module aims to develop a broad understanding of the environmental criteria that contribute to the creation of a healthy environment within a building without imposing more than necessary on natural resources and the local environment.

The learner will study health and safety requirements within a design and construction context. Designers’ concerns in choice and specification of components are considered along with assembly methods, against a background of regulatory controls and safety issues in the approaches and equipment deployed in construction operations. Sustainability and environmental concerns are considered throughout the module wherever appropriate, by looking at the different methods, materials and/or better practices. An illustrative approach is used to support learning, supplemented by site visits.

You will learn to analyse through methodical investigation how architecture reflects the philosophical and technological advances of the societies in which it is produced. You will learn about significant trends in design and architecture during Industrial, Modern, Postmodern eras and beyond, with consideration of the social, political and ecological impact arising from design. You will be also introduced to recent innovation in design and architecture, particularly where interdisciplinary initiatives have taken place. 

This module will help you to explore ideas and topics for further studies and projects by acquiring an appropriate philosophical approach in the process of understanding theory in a cultural context.

The student will be encouraged to creatively explore, analyse, synthesise and technically evaluate elemental aspects of building design. The effect of legislation and specification of materials will be explored alongside concepts of design and design methodologies. The student will be guided and supported to practice personal development planning activities, including reflection and targets set; these activities are embedded inside the learning, teaching and assessment of this module.

You will be encouraged to creatively explore, analyse, synthesise and technically evaluate elemental aspects of building design. The effect of legislation and specification of materials will be explored alongside concepts of design and design methodologies. You will be guided and supported to practice personal development planning activities, including reflection and targets set; these activities are embedded inside the learning, teaching and assessment of this module.

Through a combination of live projects, examples of existing designs, mini-case studies, guest lectures and visits to venues, it further aims to enable you to form considered judgements about designs whilst reflecting upon and learning from the work of others. It also highlights some project specific planning and design regulations and guidelines, drawing upon the general knowledge already obtained in other design and technology modules.

This is achieved by a clear demarcation between substructure and superstructure elements which is an essential element of the assessment strategy. In addition, you will develop recognition that the construction industry is moving towards greater use of prefabricated components and processes at the expense of traditional craft categorisation to meet the demands for buildings in the future.

It enables exploration of a broad and innovative range of presentation techniques, both traditional and digital, to communicate with a range of clients and users. Its intention is to build on, apply and contextualise the communication skills introduced in Level 4 and introduce you to how these skills can be appropriately deployed in practice. In addition, the module will challenge you to effectively communicate (working either in a team or individually) to a range of stakeholders within the built environment.

The aim of this module is to equip you with skills and competencies that are essential in designing functional, aesthetic and conducive interiors with regard to their intended purpose. It will enable you to acquire an aesthetic, practical and technical appreciation of the spatial layout and design elements ranging from visual (colour, lighting, form) to the tactile (surface, shape, texture) to the auditory (sound, noise, echo). It further aims to establish an understanding of how these elements interact with each other and with people that use and respond to them.

The emphasis in this module is on the analysis and evaluation of the work completed within the organisation. This module also gives you the opportunity to relate your academic knowledge to the work environment.

During this period of work experience, students can gain a deeper appreciation of the responsibilities arising from both corporate and individual responses to such issues, thus enabling them to relate to the wider world when exploring a personal direction for potential career development.

The project will be rigorous and challenging, and will fully develop and test your ability to critically analyse the issues arising from a specified brief. You will be expected to critically appraise a given brief and produce an appropriate response, demonstrating the awareness of aesthetic, functional and regulatory requirements. This module will provide you with the opportunity to develop a strategic approach to your design work.

During the design review sessions and on completion of the project you will be expected to give a visual presentation of your proposals using appropriate materials and media.

It will enable you to assess the skills, knowledge and experiences gained from your programme and bring these to an interdisciplinary team environment in order to collaborate successfully with other professions to produce a complete design and build solution for a set brief. It further aims to allow you to reflect on the experience of working in an interdisciplinary team and evaluate your professional performance in this scenario.

You will be expected to develop chosen concepts from “master-plan to a working detail”, formulate design proposals and produce an exhibition of appropriate information that clearly communicates your ideas development according to the two related modules.

You will be also expected to critically appraise given brief and undertake thorough site analysis related to the integrated project. Therefore you will produce an appropriate response (design intent), demonstrating the awareness of all relevant contextual issues and developments in uses of advanced technology and materials. 

Special consideration should be given to theoretical and contextual underpinning of the final response to the brief.

During study on this module you will become proficient in analysis of sustainable designs using building simulation software, in areas as diverse as whole building energy analysis to thermal, solar, acoustic, visual impact and lighting studies aspects. You will also be expected to reflect on the analysis findings, interpret the results within their context and demonstrate this in a design exercise.

The study encourages in-depth, detailed study of a topic derived from the student’s own area of special interest in order to expand understanding of cultural, managerial, technological, scientific, or design aspects of the built environment. Topics are selected from subjects included on the programmes and are therefore an extension of the learning experienced on the mainstream curriculum. 

The method of working aims to develop a range of related skills: the discovery, acquisition and searching of relevant information, persistence, determination and organisational ability in the use of study time; the administrative control and production of a substantial document; your powers of perception; and communication.

You will be provided with a Preparation Pack which lays down guidelines for the production and presentation of the study. At the outset, you are encouraged to propose subject areas which are of especially personal interest. Where you are unable to propose a subject area of personal interest, a list of suitable study topics will be suggested. You will develop a theme at individual tutorial sessions until the aim, objectives, and methodology have been clarified in outline. Initial tutorials begin during the latter part of the second semester of Stage 2 of the programme so that you can commence background reading in advance. Professional skills, such as communication skills and advanced professional standards are monitored and developed by following embedded Personal Development Planning procedures.