Course summary

Studying Architecture at AUB is the first step towards becoming a creative architect. On this unique and exciting course, you’ll work within the context of a studio-based arts university, where everyone shares an interest in different forms of making. BA Architecture (Part 1) is accredited by ARB and RIBA, so on the course you’ll prepare for professional practice. This professional validation means that upon graduating, students will have fulfilled the first of a three-part process required to become a registered architect in the United Kingdom. What you will study You will investigate the ways we live in the world, individually and collectively, through our spatial relationships with materials, to make places that make a difference. You’ll be exposed to a wide range of skills that will form the foundation of your career in Architecture, including: making, collaboration, designing and doing. You’ll develop an understanding of the practice and theory of architecture, grounded in making, along with critical thinking and a familiarity with the material nature of architectural ideas. You’ll explore the reflective practice of making thoughtful, tangible, inhabited places that mediate between the individual, the world we live in and the others we live with. Through a process of ‘making and thinking’ you’ll come to understand works of architecture as places that house our lives and challenge our expectations. As well as architectural design, you’ll experiment with drawing, photography, printmaking, modelmaking, video and electronic media. You’ll learn the importance of collaboration with other disciplines by working with students from art, design, media and performance. To bring theory alive you’ll travel to see examples of excellence in architectural design in Britain and beyond. Likewise, you’ll be given insights to innovative professional practice through lectures, visits and studio projects led by practising architects, engineers, and designers. Approximately 45% of your time will be contact hours, including scheduled teaching sessions, but also supervised time in the workshop or studio. The remainder of your time studying will be independently. 100% of assessment for this course is coursework based. By the end of the course you will be able to...

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of architectural concepts, techniques and processes in integrated application in architectural design propositions.

• Demonstrate understanding of methods of initiating, structuring and realising architectural propositions.

• Demonstrate understanding for the social context, interdisciplinary and regulatory framework within which architectural practice operates.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how historical, contextual and theoretical issues inform architectural design.

• Apply to your work an understanding of the relationship between architectural and urban design theory, history and practice.

• Demonstrate a knowledge of the related specialisms of technology and environment and how these inform integrated architectural design; ability to exploit a range of methods, materials and technologies available for the expression of original architectural propositions.

• Demonstrate research skills and the ability to think analytically and conceptually.

• Apply individual solutions to the creative resolution of architectural propositions.

• Demonstrate good communication skills through appropriate (oral, written, visual) formats.

• Work well as part of a team and demonstrate good interdisciplinary working relationships in preparation for professional practice.