Global Housing Design MSc

The design studio uses the notion of “crisis” as an operational tool to critically evaluate aspects of our housing production and respond to current urgencies. Thus, this studio module explores in detail a current and relevant issue in housing design detected by the students. Set in a particular urban context, students are asked to analyse the circumstances and criticise current responses to housing demands. Students’ design framework for the projects will aim to respond, through distinctive design strategies, to particular social, economic, and political questions. Students are motivated to choose a specific urban context as ground for their research throughout the entire year and context for their design explorations for this module. The students will be given ownership of their research-by-design activities and can discuss their work with leading housing professionals and academics. The module aims to link rigorous academic practices and research methodologies to real world scenarios.

The module introduces key architectural concepts, themes, and theories influential in architecture globally from 1900 onwards, particularly related to housing. By looking into notable housing case studies, it introduces a theoretical and historical framework for the understanding of the ongoing discourses in housing design. It engages with a wide range of written texts on housing theory – whether these originate from within architecture or from other disciplines.

The module provides the students with a comprehensive understanding of housing case studies across the globe, both in western and non-western contexts, with a broad perspective on the urban policies and practice-related constraints that made these projects possible. Discussions will integrate the perspective of different stakeholders, including policy makers, architects, planners, local governments, practitioners, users, and the community.

This module introduces the key principles of climate sensitive design for different climates around the world. Students will learn how to use relevant software to help in climate design and will apply this knowledge to an assignment involving the conversion of shipping containers to climate-sensitive passive dwellings. The module is taught through a series of lectures, tutorials and workshops.

This module addresses the need for managing heritage and assessing the international and local factors that affect cultural heritage and its sustainable care and management. This module complements and develops further concepts and approaches outlined in the introductory module and instils methodological approaches and skills to apply heritage management within the context of conservation, architecture and urban design practice. The module equips the students to apply heritage management methods in following modules in semester two.
This module is based on active learning through interactive lectures and workshops. The students will be given the opportunity to apply their learning practically under the same or similar conditions as practitioners outside academia. Students will not only acquire research skills but they will also obtain analytical and interpretative skills of situations and facts towards making appropriate choices and developing effective solutions in relation to heritage management approaches. They will be assessed against both coursework and oral presentation, which give them an opportunity to develop both written and oral literacies.

This module introduces heritage as a complex phenomenon with significant values that play a vital role in all cycles of its life, including our current and future eras across the world. It provides the students with a comprehensive understanding of heritage and conservation policies and practice, and what heritage means; besides understanding how different stakeholders, including, policy makers, architects, planners, local governments, practitioners, international and local/ indigenous communities value it. The students will also be able to demonstrate international perspectives as professionals/citizens by being able to locate, discuss, analyse, and evaluate information from both local and international sources; besides considering issues from a variety of cultural standpoints. The students will be given ownership of their research activities and will have the opportunity to discuss their work in lectures and workshops, some of which will be directed by leading heritage professionals. The module also aims to link rigorous academic practices and methodologies to real world and employment-related scenarios. Additionally, the module aims to provide opportunities for the development of presentation, academic writing, and time management skills via variable and flexible activities throughout the semester.

Assessment is based on a coursework assignment and an oral presentation of the research background and methods, analysis findings and discussions.

Net zero carbon design is a key response to how buildings will reduce their environmental impact and help combat climate change. This module considers developments in the environmental design of buildings, from the vernacular architecture of the past to the 21st Century target of net zero carbon. The module covers key carbon issues, such as embodied carbon, life cycle analysis and the retrofitting of existing buildings. The health of building users is an important factor in sustainable design, and the module reviews indoor conditions and their effects on physical and mental wellbeing. The module will be delivered as lectures (from tutors who are active researchers in net zero carbon design), as workshops, as site visits and as guest talks from practitioners. Assessment will be a detailed case study report (70%) and presentation (30%) of net zero carbon buildings located in two different climate regions.

This module aims to emphasise the centrality of people and communities to planning and provide a theoretical and practical foundation to the interactions between people and planning. It will include reflections on the historical development of community-focussed planning; analysis of the importance of planning working with and for people; and provide a theoretically-informed toolkit of methods to engage with communities.

This module aims to understand the relationship between housing, home and planning through social, economic and political processes at local to international scales. Students will reflect on historical development in housing policy and practice, understand housing’s relationship to and centrality within key societal challenges, and be able to compare and contrasts housing and planning issues at local, regional, national and international scales.

This module provides students with an understanding of the conflicts facing planners in trying to deliver sustainable development. It introduces students to the range of social, economic and environmental issues that face contemporary society. It outlines the role of spatial planning in managing development pressures while protecting the built and natural environment, and it explores different planning responses to address and reconcile these competing interests.

This module aims to help students develop in-depth knowledge on urban design and enhance their design skills to address the complex urban challenges of our age. It intends to prepare students to become creative and problem-solving professionals. To do so, this module will introduce students to a wide range of urban design theories, design principles and processes which underpin the discipline of urban design. Students will have the opportunity to study and debate key issues in urban design, the disciplinary foundations of urban design, various topics about public spaces, the application of urban analytical techniques and methods for practice, as well as urban design governance in relation to the planning system. The module will draw examples or case studies from both the local and international contexts and encourage students to think critically about possible design interventions in different urban environments towards sustainable development and place-making. ​

Since this module is taught together with ARCH406 Urban Design which is a compulsory module for the accredited MArch programme in Architecture, ideally students who select this module need to have some design skills from previous training in Architecture, Planning or Landscape Architecture.

The term Housing “types” refers to a systematic analysis and classification of residential buildings and their context, history, spatial organisation, socio-political aspects, construction and development. By understanding the particulars in the production of a housing type, students will manipulate and reorganise—invent new ones. In this studio we invite students to analyse housing types in particular urban contexts and reflect on how these portray specific subjects, their living and urban conditions, as well as the politics, policies, and socio-economic factors that lead into their development. Design projects will address the multi-scalar nature of housing types, from the smallest home unit to the larger urban neighbourhood.

As part of “Housing Types and Context” design studio students will develop a project resulting in a detailed urban or building design that addresses the relationship between built form and how people live. The design project will challenge preconceived notions of housing reflecting on ideas of lifestyles, standards, community and climate emergency. The project begins building on ideas developed in semester 1, within ARCH751 Housing Design Crisis studio.

Research methods training for MA/MSc thesis

Research Methodology in London is an optional module which will be delivered in London as part of the multi-delivery MSc. in Global Housing Design. Students in second semester can choose to take the London pathway where they complete their second semester in London. The course outlines the fundamentals of doing housing research at the postgraduate level. The course will provide an understanding of research approaches and skills, and importantly an ability to deploy them in design. Housing Research Methods aims to bridge research and design providing useful analytical tools to students who will conduct research in the future and for designers pursuing a professional path.

The London Pathway studio offers the opportunity to study in London taking advantage of this metropolitan context as unique laboratory for case studies, practices, and development models. The term Housing “types” refers to a systematic analysis and classification of residential buildings and their context, history, spatial organisation, socio-political implications, construction, and development. By understanding the particulars in the production of a housing type, students will manipulate and reorganise—invent new ones. In this studio we invite students to analyse housing types in particular urban contexts and reflect on how these portray specific subjects, their living and urban conditions, as well as the politics, policies, and socio-economic factors that lead into their development. Design projects will address the multi-scalar nature of housing types, from the smallest home unit to the larger urban neighbourhood.
As part of “Housing Types and Context” design studio students will develop an individual or group project resulting in a detailed urban or building design that addresses the relationship between built form and how people live. The design project will challenge preconceived ideas on housing reflecting on ideas of lifestyles, standards, and community in the era of climate emergency. The project begins building on ideas developed in semester 1, within ARCH751 Housing Design Crisis studio.

The module is designed to develop the necessary understanding of the design and management of effective workflows in BIM-enabled collaborative settings. The focus of the module will be to introduce new ways of working, strategies and implementation plans necessary for the successful adoption of BIM on project and organisational levels. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) will be introduced and its contribution to early collaboration and effective decision making will be discussed and exemplified with real projects on both local and global scales. Students will be introduced to the concepts of data sharing in file-based and model server environments, basics of different models and data formats and interoperability. An important focus will be understanding the necessary information and data flows in different stages of the project and building life cycle. The module will also aim to develop a comprehensive awareness of the BIM requirements by the UK Government and the current global use of BIM as an integrated platform.
Students will have the opportunity to undertake tasks and activities similar to those BIM specialists undertake in real practice, such as presenting the opportunities, obstacles, tasks and activities associated with BIM implementation within collaborative project delivery, and working within groups to provide a BIM implementation plan for a hypothetical project.

The module will introduce students to the cutting-edge technologies and the state-of-the-art methods to foster an understanding of the development of the construction industry. It will offer students the opportunity to explore, analyse and scrutinise those innovative technologies and methods, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Off-site Construction/Modular Construction, Digital Twins, Internet of Things, and Reality Capture.

The students will be able to investigate the technologies, methods and factors that are driving the digital transformation in the construction industry based on a critical understanding of the nature of the construction industry, the typical role of construction managers and the inefficiencies in traditional construction methods.

This module covers the scientific study of dynamic building simulation, how building designers can model a building and simulate its environmental and energy performances using software packages, and how the simulated data can be interpreted and assessed according to regulations and green building rating systems.

A primary aim of this module is to offer the opportunity to submit a design thesis with supporting documentation on an approved topic or brief of their choice It is expected that the majority of students will work individually but, with the prior agreement of the Director of Studies, students undertaking a Design Thesis may be permitted in pairs where the project is of sufficient complexity. Clear demarcation of individual contributions to the project must be evident in the final submission.