BA (Hons) Architecture Year 3 – Manchester School of Architecture

BA (Hons) Architecture
Year 3

Year 3 Overview

You will be guided to direct your own learning and, in an atelier-based system, define your own projects which are underpinned by the application of history and theory into your design studio activities. You will have a choice of history and theory courses and can select technology case studies from a given set. You will have more autonomy in Year 3 and therefore have more authority over your own work, which will give you confidence and assuredness as you prepare for the professional environment.

Year 3 Units

Studio 3.1

Studio 3.1

This unit introduces urbanism and develops the ability to apply techniques in analysis of and strategies for generic urban contexts as the basis for defining and developing a building programme and design proposition.

Studio 3.2

Studio 3.2

This unit develops ability in architectural design through the exploration of materials, structures, construction, and environmental modification integral with programmatic detail within a building design initiated in response to urban study.

Humanities 3

Humanities 3

This unit develops knowledge and understanding of the historical, cultural and professional contexts for architectural design and extends skills in research,analysis, academic writing and visual representation.

Technologies 3

Technologies 3

This unit develops knowledge and understanding of the environmental, material and technological contexts for architectural design and extends skills in research, analysis, synthesis and visual representation.

2017

Year 3 comprises humanities, technologies and studio units. It builds on the skills, creativity and experiences gained on the course. Studio realises a whole year project, with distinct atelier briefs that approach the challenge of design in a range of urban contexts. Six studio ateliers provide depth and focus to design, while working with shared year goals, cross-atelier reviews and atelier symposiums engaging with a broad scope of ideas and approaches. Some ateliers are also aligned with our post-graduate ateliers in the Master of Architecture (MArch) programme.

Each atelier has undertaken a European study tour, and also visited buildings under construction in the UK linking them to concurrent construction projects and architectural practices. Leading architects, landscape architects and other construction industry practitioners contribute to studio teaching and the Design+ studio lectures; introducing and connecting theoretical and professional knowledge with varied design approaches and building studies. Lectures and visits reflect the experience of the students in their studio design projects where ateliers conduct a theory-based analysis of their selected urban territory, leading to detailed design strategies for presentation and exhibition, participation in interdisciplinary collaboration with design professionals and collaborate with communities/artists/ theatre companies and others. Exposure to practices and ongoing construction projects prepare BA (Hons) Architecture graduates for the next stage in their career, complementing the input they receive from the architecture careers team, RIBA Northwest and MA & MArch tutors, provide guidance on year out and further study.

The design, fabrication, and assembly of atelier based exhibitions present the context and depth of thinking involved in each student's project. Atelier groups curate, organise and make their own exhibitions, as well as the work within it. The show's approach to group working supports practices that are developed through the three years of the programme.