03_TRANSLATE

University of Johannesburg

Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture

Department of Architecture

NDip Architectural Technology

3^rd Year Handbook

2015

  

TRANSLATE

Image: LAUREN PASCARELLA

Lecturers:
Eric Charles Wright
Claudia Morgado
Jhono Bennett
Jason Frenkel
Pieter-Ernst Mare

Simon Cretney
Leon Krige 

COURSE AIM:

To generate an integrated approach to architectural design, with a focus on the technical making of architecture, in specific contexts with a variance in scale and complexity, resulting in appropriate architectural languages that engage the environment and user on a critical level. To develop an understanding of contemporary architectural theory and the application of contemporary design tools – producing relevant, contextual and resolved architectural responses in a connected urban fabric. Sites for each project brief are chosen within the local urban context of Johannesburg. These sites are selected as critical examples of broader urban conditions with relevance to urban challenges and conditions globally.

An entry-level qualification that covers the major knowledge fields in architecture. The programme emphasises technology and documentation aiding design development, prepares students for further study or registration and employment as Candidate Architectural Technologists.

This course aims to develop students’ understanding of:

·       Design and development of complex architectural projects situated in urban contexts and developed with regard to program, site, building, and representation.

·       Agendas and approaches to the making and reading of urban conditions and landscape designs. The analysis of notable preceding works and texts, with emphasis on architecture within and without the city as vehicles of study, and with frequent reference to urban and landscape theories and designs, as well as to representations of architecture and the city from other media and disciplines.

·       A comprehensive experience of the discipline in design and professional knowledge, supplemented by a range of conceptual, environmental, technological, and social subjects, forming an integrated introduction to the physical, social, and programmatic understanding of design. 

·       Design proposals built from analysis to synthesis, from analyses of total building arrangements and smaller-scale design exercises, to the development of a comprehensive design for a complex programmatic response.

PROGRAMME FORMAT:

The programme structure comprises of three major integrated streams where individual module content has been assembled collectively to form strong overlapping languages and processes of architecture toward a holistic discipline of the practice of architecture.

DESIGN+THEORY
Theory, Thinking, Positioning and Synthesis in the form of projects, lectures and seminars.

REPRESENTATION+REALISATION

Implementation, Tests, Resolution and representation in the form of architectural projects.

PRAGMATICS
Ingredients, Fundamentals and Practicalities in the form of essays, assignments and journals.

YEAR OVERVIEW
Particular deliverables for each stream, per project, will be outlined in each project brief through the 

year.

ASSESSMENTS:

Continuous assessment for the duration of the course.
(The semester average is a performance indicator for exam entry.)

Formative assessment through critiques of at least 3 design projects during the 1^st semester and one major project in the 2^nd semester.

Summative assessments:
Studio Based: at semester final portfolio exam.
At the Final portfolio exam the semester average may be adjusted by the moderator and internal examiner.

Written assessments:
Applicable to ATO311, ATG311 and ATC311. Final written examinations form part of the summative assessment.

For mark breakdowns and assessment weightings individual lecturers should be contacted for further detail breakdown.

NOTE: An average of 40% must be achieved for all submissions that make up the year portfolio.

If a project is failed the student may submit a re-worked submission prior to final portfolio exam date NB – NO NEW WORK will be assessed at final portfolio exam.
Re-worked projects will only be eligible for a maximum grade of 50%.
It is compulsory for students to attend ALL crit sessions and a minimum 80% attendance in studio and lecture sessions.
Portfolio exam attendance and submission are compulsory and no late pin-ups will be tolerated. If an exam slot is missed (or late attendance) the student will be awarded 0% for the exam grade. Unless a detailed medical certificate or affidavit clearly stating why the student was late or not present is provided.

DESIGN+THEORY
This stream aims to develop an approach to contemporary design with an understanding of relevant spatial and architectural theory – utilising a process driven methodology that enables focussed design intent specific to a particular context – investigating architectural and urban issues with a critical stance aiming to generate architectural projects that are appropriately contextual and user specific.

Design + Theory includes content from the following individual modules:

Principles of Design 3                              ATD311 (25 credits)

SACAP OUTCOMES COVERED:

·       Knowledge of the principles and terminology applicable to architectural design.

·       Understanding of the fundamentals of the design process.

·       Ability to do thorough, appropriate planning.

·       Understanding of problem analysis on a basic level.

·       Knowledge of social and environmental issues.

·       Awareness of the environmental design issues

·       Knowledge of critical urban issues.

·       Awareness of and sensitivity to urban aspects when designing individual buildings.

MODULE OUTCOMES INCLUDED:

·       Identify the aims and objectives of the design project using architectural terminology and  link it to the relevant design principles

·       Analyse the programme in context of the design problem

·       Formulate an appropriate Disabled in architecture design concept

·       Apply design processes to develop the concept into the design proposal

·       Present design proposal using industry standard software packages

• Relate/link all outcomes mentioned above, to relevant environmental and urban issues

Landscaping and survey 3                      ALS311 (10 credits)

SACAP OUTCOMES COVERED:

No outcomes relating to Landscape design listed.

MODULE OUTCOMES INCLUDED:

·       Describe the relationship between the natural and the built environment.

·       Evaluate landscapes and environmental structures in basic terms in an analytical, constructive and critical manner.

·       Recognise and describe of the basic spatial, functional and aesthetical aspects appropriate to landscape architectureDesign external spaces surrounding buildings as an extension to/of arch project

·       Design site works needed to accomplish landscape design

·       Design landscapes as part of public open spaces as part of the urban environment

Studio Work 3                                             ATS311 (13 credits)

SACAP OUTCOMES COVERED:

·       Ability to integrate structure and building design in the production of technical and presentation documentation and methods.

MODULE OUTCOMES INCLUDED:

• Produce graphic presentations of designs, the physical built environment etc. through the use of photographs, renderings, etc.

REPRESENTATION+REALISATION

“A great building must begin with the un-measurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be un-measurable.”  Louis Kahn

“Nothing is as dangerous in architecture as dealing with separated problems.  If we split life into separated problems we split the possibilities to make good building art.” Alvar Aalto

This stream aims to familiarize students with the theory relating to construction methods, the structural systems, site works and materials used in medium rise buildings of intermediate complexity with a focus of strongly related processes of design, resolution and representation. These integrated and overlapping processes support design resolution and the communication of design decisions through the use of drawings (conventional and experimental) and other verbal, graphic, and written means.

Representation and Realization includes content from the following individual modules:

Construction and Detailing 3                 ATC311 (20 credits)
SACAP OUTCOMES COVERED:

·       Understanding of general structural concepts pertaining to buildings.

·       Understanding of typical construction methods and uses of materials related to structurally simple multi story buildings

·       Understanding of the demands of context, local resources and appropriate technologies that harmonise with the environment and that influence the design and construction of a building.

·       Ability to develop durable, cost-effective, climate responsive construction details.

·       Ability to conduct relevant research into construction methods and materials and the appropriate applications in a particular context.

MODULE OUTCOMES INCLUDED:

• Identify and explain structural concepts pertaining to medium rise buildings.
• Select and illustrate appropriate construction methods and selection of materials related to structurally simple multi story buildings.
• Relate the demands of context, local resources and appropriate technologies that harmonise with the environment, which influence the construction of a building.
• Develop durable, cost-effective, and climate responsive construction details.
• Conduct relevant research into construction methods and materials and their appropriate applications.

Studio Work 3                                             ATS311 (12 credits)

SACAP OUTCOMES COVERED:

·       Ability to produce a set of working drawings as part of a set of contract documents of a building of medium complexity to acceptable practice standards.

·       Ability to do component and material specification

·       Understanding of the relevance of applicable appropriate National Building Regulations (NBR) as well as the requirements of the NHBRC, SANS 10400 and local municipal by laws.

·       Ability to respond to local authority approval requirements and procedures.

·       Ability to compile and document graphic representations of the built environment through methods such as photography, manual- and computer rendering techniques, etc.

MODULE OUTCOMES INCLUDED:

·       Produce a set of working drawings of buildings of medium structural- and programmatic complexity as part of a set of contract documents to acceptable academic and practice standards.

·       Document durable, cost-effective, climate-responsive construction systems and details sensitive to the contextual language of the design concept

·       Specify components and materials on drawings.

·       Link/ relate/ show relevant National Building Regulations (NBR) as well as the requirements of the NHBRC, SANS 10400 and relevant municipal by laws.

• Elaborate on local authority approval requirements and procedures.

PRAGMATICS
This stream aims to provide students with; knowledge of standard procedures and documents used in the practice of architecture, knowledge that will allow them to design and document service systems in simple multi storey buildings, with non-specialised program requirements and develop skills in the application of advanced drawing and modeling techniques using computer technology developed for the architectural profession.

Pragmatics includes content from the following individual modules:

Office Practice 3                                        ATO311 (10 credits)

SACAP OUTCOMES COVERED:

·       Understand the terminology and basic concepts and principles of architectural practice.

·       Understand all the regulatory and legal aspects of the architectural profession.

·       Knowledge of the contents of the various building contracts and the SAIA practice manual.

·       Understand the administrative and logistical support systems in an architectural business practice.

·       Understand the basic concepts of business structures and principles, pertaining to architectural profession.

·       Knowledge of how to design a functional and integrated management system for use in the architectural profession.

·       Ability to participate meaningfully in the management and administration of a small scale building project.

MODULE OUTCOMES INCLUDED:

·       Differentiate between the laws and regulations pertaining to the built environment and the construction industry.

·       Compare the business entities common in the architectural profession.

·       Apply the basics principles of managing an architectural practice office.

·       Apply elementary project management principles to a small architectural project.

·       Outline the most important provisions of the JBCC Principal Building Agreement (PBA).

Building Services 3                                   ACD311 (15 credits)

SACAP OUTCOMES COVERED:

• Knowledge of the various technological aspects relating to building services.
• Knowledge of the building regulations pertaining to basic building services as set out in the SANS 10400.
• Understanding of the following technological aspects and building services:

1.       Drainage

2.       Water reticulation.

3.       Electrical and electronic services and lighting.

4.       Communications.

5.       Air and gas supply.

6.       Heating and cooling.

7.       Elevators and escalators.

8.       Fire protection and control.

9.       Acoustics and sound systems.

MODULE OUTCOMES INCLUDED:

1.   Coordinate, organize and manage the designs by architects and  specialist consultants of the selected installations in low- to medium rise buildings relating to;

• Drainage and water reticulation.
• Electrical and electronic services and lighting.
• Communications (ICT).
• Air and gas supply.
• Heating and cooling.
• Elevators and escalators.
• Fire protection and control.
• Security and telecommunications in the building industry
• Sound systems.

Computer Aided Drafting 3                     ACD311 (15 credits)

SACAP OUTCOMES COVERED:

• Recognise/ list / Identify of the range of computer technology presently in use in architectural and related practice.
• Apply appropriate computer applications in the execution of architectural documentation methods. Computer software applications include a representative sample of contemporary web browsers and communication programs, databases, architectural drawing, three-dimensional modelling, graphic and image editing programs.

MODULE OUTCOMES INCLUDED:

• Identify and select suitable applications from available software packages in general use by the architectural profession.
• Use/ apply all the software packages studied in the academic programme.

KEY DATES

First Term (Quarter)	Mon 2015-02-02 – Fri 2015-03-20
Second Term (Quarter)	Mon 2015-03-23 – Fri 2015-05-22
Autumn Recess	Sat 2015-03-28 – Sun 2015-04-12
Study Break	Sat 2015-05-23 – Fri 2015-05-29
1st Semester Final Assessment (FSAO/Exam)	Sat 2015-05-30 – Wed 2015-06-17
Winter Holidays	Thu 2015-06-18 – Sun 2015-07-12
Third Term (Quarter)	Mon 2015-07-13 – Fri 2015-08-28
July SSA assessment (FSAO)	Tue 2015-07-14 – Fri 2015-07-24
Spring Recess	Sat 2015-08-29 – Sun 2015-09-06
Fourth Term (Quarter)	Mon 2015-09-07 – Fri 2015-10-23
Study Break	Sat 2015-10-24 – Fri 2015-10-30
2nd Semester Final Assessment (FSAO/Exam)	Sat 2015-10-31 – Wed 2015-11-18
Summer Holidays for students not writing SSA assessment	Thu 2015-11-19 –
December SSA assessment (FSAO)	Mon 2015-11-30 – Fri 2015-12-04

CONTACT INFORMATION
Departmental secretary: Mrs. K Loots

Lower Level, FADA building

011 559 1115

kathyl@uj.ac.za

Course Coordinator:

Mr. Eric Charles Wright

FADA building
Department of architecture
Lower ground floor

Consultation hours: By appointment via ericw@uj.ac.za

RESOURCES

GENERAL
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH ALL ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES RELATED TO THE DEPARTMENT
The following information is accessible via course lecturers, department office and are available digitally in the CADlab:

·      UJ FADA Policy on student plagiarism

·      Departmental Guidelines and Policies

·      The FADA guide
formats, styles and citation for academic writing

·      PsyCad Services 2014

LIBRARY
Not only a physical space -
The FADA e-library: In addition to physical books, journals and periodicals, the library also has an extensive on-line 
database of electronic information.

LECTURERS, TURORS, PEERS
Lecturers are your first point of contact in the discussion of tasks and learning at hand, however peer-learning and senior student mentoring are key influences in stuio-driven teaching and learning methods. Make connections with students in all years and begin discussing project briefs and architecture globally.
Regular and attentive attendance to studio crits are critical for your success.

EMAIL
If you get seriously stuck, or need information urgently, you can email your lecturers. It is not always possible to answer every query in detail, or immediately, but lecturers are commited to assist wherever and however possible in your learning and skills development.

INTERNET
A cautionary note; the internet is an international open source phenomenon, this means that searching for solutions and blindly applying them in your own work is NOT acceptable. Often this information is particular to vastly different contexts of all kinds; cultural, technological, socio-economic, climatic etc. The correct approach is to apply your own analysis to web-based information and extract principles that can be applied to to your problem within your context.

RECOMMENDED READING LIST

·        Leach N. Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cultural Theory. Routledge. 1997

·        Barthes R. Elements of Semiology. Hill and Wang; Reissue edition. 1977

·       Eco U. The Open Work. Harvard University Press. 1989

·       Lynch K. The Image of the City. Harvard-MIT. 1960

·       Bacon E. Design of Cities. Penguin. 1976

·       Jacobs J. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Random House. 1993 [1961]

·       Allen E, Iano J. The Architect’s Studio Companion. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. 2002

·       Bremner. Writing the City into Being: Essays on Johannesburg 1998-2008

·       Martin J. Murray, City of Extremes: The Spatial Politics of Johannesburg. Durham: Duke

·       University Press, 2010. Juhani Pallassmaa. Eyes of the skin: Architecture and the Senses. 2005

·       Jimenez Lai. Citizens of No Place: An Architectural Graphic Novel. 2012