Architecture and Environmental Design BSc Honours

Program Overview

This Architectural and Environmental Design BSc will educate students who are capable of solving today's biggest challenges by combining elements of art and science. These graduates will be able to practice as environmental designers or architectural designers after obtaining the RIBA Part 1 certification. Additionally, the program provides students with access to world-class facilities and experienced faculty.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Architecture and Environmental Design BSc Honours program at the University of Westminster aims to produce a new generation of architects who are not only architecturally competent and environmentally aware but also capable of exploring spatial poetics with an evidence-informed approach. The program emphasizes the integration of artistic and scientific principles to create designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sustainable. The program's objectives include:

• Developing students' creative space- and form-making, environmental design, technical, and analytical skills.
• Fostering critical thinking and awareness of the wider architectural context.
• Equipping students with the ability to selectively evaluate design options and quantify the building performance and environmental benefits and impact of their designs.
The program emphasizes a strong interdisciplinary approach, highlighting the added value that environmental architects bring to the building industry and society. It provides students with professional skills applicable to both architectural practice and environmental design consultancy.

Outline:

The program is structured over three or four years, with the first year focusing on the principles of environmental and architectural design. Students learn the evidence-informed approach and quantification skills necessary to evaluate design proposals.

• Introduction to Design Practice: This module explores the practical aspects of architectural design, including site analysis, building regulations, and construction methods.
• Design Project: Students undertake a design project that allows them to apply the skills learned in the previous modules.
• A History of Architecture: This module provides a historical overview of architectural styles and movements, exploring their influence on contemporary design.
• Environmental Design and Principles of Building Physics: This module introduces students to the principles of environmental design, including energy efficiency, passive solar design, and sustainable materials.

Year 2:

• Design in Cities: This module explores the design of buildings and spaces within urban contexts, considering factors such as density, transportation, and public space.
• Material Studies and Environmental Design: This module examines the properties and environmental impact of different building materials, exploring sustainable alternatives and innovative applications.
• Zero-Plus Energy Buildings: This module explores the design of buildings that generate more energy than they consume, utilizing renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies.
• Climate, Energy and Architecture: This module examines the relationship between climate change, energy consumption, and architectural design, exploring strategies for reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable building practices.

Placement Year:

Students have the opportunity to take a year in industry after completing the second year of their studies. This placement year provides valuable work experience and enhances employability upon graduation. Students utilize advanced building performance prediction and testing tools to prepare for professional practice.

• Final Thesis Project: Students undertake a year-long thesis project that culminates in a comprehensive design proposal.
• Prototype Fabrication and Testing: This module provides students with hands-on experience in fabricating and testing architectural prototypes, developing their technical skills and understanding of construction processes.
• Professional Practice: This module explores the professional aspects of architecture, including ethics, legal issues, and business practices.
• Environmental and Energy Performance: This module delves deeper into the environmental and energy performance of buildings, examining advanced techniques for assessing and optimizing sustainability.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Coursework: Essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, and dissertations.
• Practical: Presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, and creating artifacts.

Teaching:

The program employs a range of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Provide students with theoretical knowledge and foundational concepts.
• Seminars: Facilitate interactive discussions and critical analysis of architectural and environmental design topics.
• Workshops: Offer hands-on experience in design, fabrication, and technical skills.
• Problem-based and blended learning: Encourage students to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges and integrate online learning resources.
• Practical application: Emphasize the practical application of theoretical concepts through studio-based design activities and site visits.
The program is taught by a dedicated team of experienced architectural practitioners, world-renowned scholars, and engineers.

Careers:

Graduates of the Architecture and Environmental Design BSc Honours program are well-prepared for a wide range of careers in the architectural and environmental design fields. They can pursue roles such as:

• Fully qualified architect with environmental design expertise (RIBA): Graduates can become fully qualified architects after completing RIBA Part 2 studies and Part 3 training.
• Environmental design consultant: Graduates can specialize in environmental design consultancy, providing expertise on sustainable building practices, energy efficiency, and climate-responsive design.
• Combined career as an architect (RIBA) and environmental design consultant: Graduates can combine their architectural skills with their environmental design expertise to offer comprehensive design solutions that prioritize sustainability.
The program's strong industry links provide students with opportunities for internships and hands-on experience, enhancing their employability and career prospects.

Other:

• The program is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), providing exemption from RIBA Part 1.
• The program emphasizes the importance of climate action and rethinks the role and methods of design practice within the context of the climate emergency.
• The program's facilities include a fabrication laboratory, open-plan studios, and an extensive library.
• The program offers a stimulating learning environment that fosters professional creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
• The program is located in central London, providing students with access to the city's rich architectural heritage.
• The program has a high student satisfaction rate, with 92% of students satisfied with the course.

UK Tuition Fee:

£9,250 (Price per academic year)

International Tuition Fee:

£15,400 (Price per academic year)