DE4003 - Architectural Technologies and Communication for Interior Design

‘Architectural Technologies and Communication for Interior Design’ is a lecture and seminar-based experiential learning module. You will learn in lecture theatres, CAD labs, design studio-based seminars, workshops and virtual spaces. The aim is to encourage the interaction of the student body, through peer learning, which is regarded as a critically important factor in the learning process and will be facilitated through staff-led group tutorials, one-to-one sessions and reviews. We refer to this subject delivery approach as follows;

Northumbria X-Studio (Extended Studio):
The School of Design operates an extended studio approach (X-Studio) that embraces our physical studios and making workshops as well as our virtual spaces to create a flexible and rich environment that is responsive to our learners’ needs.
This dedicated approach has been developed over many years of continuous teaching innovation, research and industry collaboration. It has created a supportive extended studio culture that encourages our students to learn flexibly, dynamically blending their learning and University experience between physical and digital interactions both in real-time and online at their own pace.
We believe that this extended studio culture not only helps our students to become more confident autonomous learners but also prepares them for a dynamic design industry in which an extended studio philosophy is current practice.

Project brief/s will be introduced through a briefing session/s where the brief will be fully explained and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. The module is delivered via a combination of weekly lectures, seminars, directed and independent learning. Informal studio based feedback will support student’s progress throughout the module. Where appropriate, external site visits will be undertaken to illustrate applications of technological principles. This approach will allow you to develop an understanding at both a theoretical and practical level prior to summative assessment.

You will take part in a final summative assessment through the submission of a semester 1 and 2 design portfolio for which you will receive feedback from staff, this will promote enquiry based/problem-solving learning methodology and reflect the accumulation and integration of knowledge accrued over the module.

Support and feedback will be provided by a variety of methods throughout the module, starting at the briefing and concluding upon submission of each design project. Support includes;

Staff Contact
• Module tutors who provide academic support based upon industrial experience.
• Individual staff-student tutorials inform design project direction.
• Group tutorials enable staff to interact with students and encourage peer learning and support.
• Project briefs are normally introduced via a briefing session, where the brief is fully explained and explored by both staff and students.
• The eLearning Portal will be utilised to communicate all relevant module information.

Studio Contact Time
• Modules are delivered through a combination of dual staff delivered lectures, supported group tutorials and studio activity, practical demonstrations, studio teaching, guided and independent learning new skills are delivered through workshop activities.
• Studio feedback takes place to facilitate students’ development in the areas being studied, to allow formative feedback and the identification of examples of good practice and development areas to be considered.
• Independent study hours will be utilised to continue the development and progression of studio activity.

Peer and Independent Support
• Students are encouraged and expected to maintain a personal development plan (PDP) and are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning.
• Studio based activity also supports the development of appreciation and evaluation of peers work.

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.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:
• (DESIGN) 2 - Show a foundational ability to conduct research in a variety of modes, analyse the information and present via 3D representation.

• (R+D) 3 - Evidence your elementary knowledge of constructional and finishing materials, methodologies/processes and standards through the production of an evidence-based sketchbook.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• (FLEXI) 3 - Evidence ability to effectively use colour/texture/materials in the realisation of appropriate and considered design and specification.

• (COMM) 3 - Apply experimental approaches to representational techniques underpinned by your research methodologies.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• (PERSONAL) 2 - Demonstrate elementary employability skills including; meeting obligations to others (staff; peers; colleagues), planning and organisational skills and problem solving through engagement in the completion of weekly tasks.

The module features 2 components each having an equal 50% weighting;

• Design Communication brief in Semester 1.
• Architectural Technologies brief in Semester 2.

Grades will be given at the submission of each project. At the end of the module grades will be collated to provide a final mark for the module, which is a 2D and 3D design project portfolio.

The assessment and feedback strategy is;

a. Formative Assessment
Reviews with tutors and peers will provide an opportunity for critique and formative direction. This will allow students to reflect upon their own work and act upon feedback prior to final submission. Verbal feedback is designed to help students to identify areas of success and/or further development to be considered.

b. Summative assessment
The project brief/s driving the module will identify the assessment criteria and submission requirements (deliverables) appropriate to the topic of the project. The assessable elements will consist of a project portfolio, which will enable students to demonstrate the process and technical skills developed throughout the module. In addition, studio contact, observations and presentations will ensure tutors are able to assess the learners’ overall performance holistically against the learning outcomes for the module. A single grade will then be aligned to the submission based upon multiple deliverables.

c. Feedback strategy?
Feedback will be delivered verbally at the point of each seminar, where discussion will clarify future direction. Upon receiving summative assessment students will receive a grade reflecting achievement against the learning outcomes of the module. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning by recording feedback in order to reflect upon it as they engage in subsequent learning.

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‘Architectural Technologies and Communication for Interior Design’ introduces you to architectural and material technologies and how they integrate with interior design at a practical level. It will provide you with an opportunity to better understand the relevance and importance of planning, construction and process in the construction and completion of designed interior spaces. There will be a particular focus on visual communication and representational techniques both in 2D and 3D, material properties and technologies.

You will be encouraged to carry out research and practice into a variety of topics that will underpin your knowledge of what is possible within the interior design profession.
Learning will be based in our industry standard lecture theatres, design studios, cad lab, photography studio, workshops and virtual environments, to give you the practical and observational skills and subject knowledge required for placement or employability in industry.