BSc ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY combines specialism in the technological, environmental, material and detailing decisions necessary to solve architectural design problems, from concept, through research and design development, to completion. It requires complex understanding of design processes, design and architectural composition, design development, construction technology and management tools, and the effective communication of design information.
In the Architectural Technology studio this year, combining onsite and online learning, our diverse cohorts collaborated from around the world and our global AT community thrived. Our 1st Year students experienced the physical design studio space in Semester One within the Design Principles module. They designed a domestic dwellinghouse at a site linked to our Harrow campus, investigating the synthesis between site analysis and passive environmental design considerations.
The 2nd Year students collaborated with the Local Authority Regeneration Team exploring Peckham in South East London, through various methods of community engagement in the context of racial and social inequality, combined with climate injustice and health inequalities.
3rd Year students transformed an existing leisure facility sited within an existing Biscuit Factory complex in Bermondsey, with an extension and consideration of the basement space, working with a live brief provided by the Clients.
AT1 students undertake an illustrated essay assignment in the first semester which focuses on the architectural language and technological theories of case study buildings, developing sketching and presentational skills. This is followed by a group portfolio encompassing site analysis, surveying, sketch development, space standard and building regulation research and a final scheme proposal which includes hand drawn general arrangement drawings, CAD details and physical model making. The studio has a residential scale focus at this level.
YEAR 2: This year we set out to explore what role a designer plays in addressing racial, spatial and climate injustice; how can architectural design be a medium between communities and the local authorities and communicate inequity in Peckham? The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the power of community action and collective response has become vital for communities worldwide, whether they are affected by racial injustice, health and housing inequality and/or the climate change crisis. Our initial research included community engagement and ethnographic practices to explore Peckham. The information was then translated into a series of Mapping drawings which documented the findings of the effects of coronavirus and environmental injustice. The Mapping output and visual documentation were presented to the local authority’s Regeneration Team, and led to early design proposals, challenging the students to design a place to facilitate community engagement. Students have been encouraged to learn through case study projects from around the world, such as the Baris Village by Egyptian modernist architect Hassan Fathy and consider architectural responses to the extreme environments and social inequity. These interactive methods and the findings have informed the final design proposals: A Civic Space/ Community Dwelling, on an urban site in Peckham using architectural landscaping and spatial formalisation, which responded to the environmental, ecological and social aspects of the context.
Year 3: The Arch Climbing Wall B1++ Third Year Students developed proposals for a leisure facility (climbing gym), comprising a new building as addition to an existing 19th century industrial ‘shed’, originally a part of the Frean Biscuit Factory, Bermondsey, South London. Following on from a site visit and investigation, during which many students were able to try out the sport, students developed ideas via sketching and model making. Key elements were the design of a dynamic and engaging internal space with reference to the practical requirements of the client. Also, the new addition was to have substantial floor to ceiling heights and be visually impactful when viewed from passing trains on the adjacent railway viaduct. Consideration and technical development of passive and energy efficiency strategies was also key to this project.
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