DA6070 - Authentic Design Inquiry

You will work on real life projects within the studio environment and insitu within the vicinity of the project. You will learn from engagement, tackling the complexity of the project through independent inquiry supported by your tutors in a low risk environment, as well as from your peers through collaboration. By being exposed to the complexities of real projects you will learn from a wide variety of sources within, and external to, the traditional university learning environment. You will be expected to demonstrate self-directed learning skills to manage your progress and project development.

You will be supported through weekly tutorials with your design tutors, where you will discuss the development of your ideas and the appropriateness of your design for the brief, as set by the client group and the teaching staff. The staff will operate as facilitators of your learning (rather than traditional teachers) where collectively staff and students form an educational community, where knowledge is generated in collaboration as equals. You will benefit from regular progress reviews as formative assessment on an individual and group basis; you are encouraged to participate in discussions with your peers regarding your work. Feedback on formative and summative assignments will be offered in verbal, written and drawn formats. Project material will be available on the eLearning Portal (ELP) so that you can access information when you need to; we operate an open door policy to help support student learning when it is needed. The university library offers support for all students through its learning and teaching initiatives, and its Ask4Help Online service.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
KU 1. demonstrate a systematic understanding of the nature of, critically appraise, and develop design briefs to ensure that the design response is appropriate

KU 2. demonstrate an understanding and application of the constraints within the discipline of architectural design through appropriate formal study of related theories, social and communal considerations, technologies, material properties, processes and legislative controls.

KU 3. demonstrate an understanding of the ethical, professional and social responsibilities of a design professional within a multi-disciplinary complex environment, and the interrelationship between people, buildings and the local and broader context.

KU 4. evaluate, propose and use appropriate visual, verbal and written communication methods and appropriate media to represent the testing, analysis, critical appraisal and resolution of complex proposals

KU 5. exhibit the skills of independent learning and research to critically examine the full extent of the design problem; evaluate alternative approaches, and propose appropriate authentic solutions.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
IPSA 1. Demonstrate a high level of ability to understand the nature of, critically appraise, develop complex briefs to ensure the design response is innovative and appropriate.

IPSA 2. Exhibit the skills of independent learning through research and scholarship to examine critically the subject area, evaluate alternative approaches, integrate sources of information from a wide variety of sources, and use advanced techniques to propose change and solve complex authentic problems.

IPSA 3. Evaluate, propose and use appropriate visual, verbal and written communication methods and appropriate media to represent the testing, analysis, critical appraisal and resolution of complex design problems.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
PVA 1. Articulate an awareness of, and critical and complex perspective on, contemporary influences on design, through study of related theoretical, social, ethical, technical, environmental, and cultural issues of architecture, the arts, urban design and related disciplines.

Formative assessment will take place within regular tutorials and at interim reviews to provide ongoing developmental guidance and reflection.

Summative assessment will take place at the end of the semester. Written feedback will be provided.

Summative assessment will be moderated.

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Within this novel design project module you will develop solutions for authentic, practice-based real project scenarios, undertaken for real clients. These projects take the form of buildings, exhibitions, feasibility studies, and sketch schemes for various stakeholders, including: charities, governmental and public agencies and on occasions commercial clients, providing you with an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to analyse, appraise, develop and communicate your own interpretation of the brief, within the constraints of the particular project. You will engage in group and individual inquiry, and will be expected to reach a high level of design and technical resolution.