BSc ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY
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, architectural composition, design development, construction technology and management tools, and the effective communication of technical design information.
In the Architectural Technology studio this year, 1st Year students were introduced to the developmental process of design through a live project, meeting Clients, visiting site and responding to a domestic brief for a Caretaker residence at a Forest School in Lewisham. The 2nd Year students engaged in a community project to reduce food waste in Deptford, South East London, with airtightness a driving focus. 3rd Year students saw a successful bid to the University's ArCCAT Green Fund grant to work on a recycled plastic furniture design collaboration with Brazilian social enterprise Pedra Furada Transformation Workshop, leading to a multi-functional set of large-scale buildings for research, development and retail, on a complex urban block site in Bermondsey, South London.
2nd Year studio is a component of two parts: the design process, (site analysis and research of precedents, development of organisational considerations and sketch development leading to Planning Application stage) and the technical report (digital software skills, technical research, technical sketch development and technical resolutions to elements of the building section.) The second year studio works in synopsis with the Technologies of Architecture module incorporating experimental model making and physical understanding of construction, with passive design theory and strategies explored throughout, leading to testing and analysis of individual designs in the context of the site.
3rd Year is broken down into 3 stages:
Research
Initial research is key, in both Semester One and Two, in order to understand any constraints that might follow from the site, building use, and Client. In Semester Two, technical aspects of the progressive design are investigated, including construction materials and structural considerations. Architectural and technical precedent research lead to an analysis of existing buildings and technologies relevant to the design project.
Development
With a clear understanding of the design task from the research phase, students go on to develop individual designs and technical solutions. Sketches, physical models, 3D visualisations, and digital models are produced in order to progress ideas and as an aid to weekly discussions with lecturers, visiting Architectural Technologists, Architects and other students.
Realisation
Architectural design and construction are collaborative endeavours, even more so as new technologies are introduced, and in response to the Climate Crisis. Adopting and embedding the Westminster Climate Action Network’s design strategy guidelines, communication (particularly visual communication,) is of the utmost importance and students must graduate with the ability to sketch ideas and concepts, construct physical and digital models, and produce technical drawings and specifications.
Architectural Technology students have benefitted from a range of extra-curricular activities over this academic year, including CoProduction workshops with medical students from Imperial College, work experience in architectural practices, technical studies lectures and a field trip to Oxford - all of which have enriched a thoroughly busy and productive year to be celebrated!