Architecture BA(Hons)

During your first year you will be introduced to architecture through a series of smaller projects in a range of locations. You’ll begin to understand the language of architecture and the anatomy of buildings as you apply practical and conceptual skills to develop user-centred proposals, developing your understanding of the principles of sustainable and regenerative design.  

You’ll consider structure, form, space and light in architectural composition and gain a basic understanding of different structural and environmental approaches to building. You will enhance your drawing, making and digital skills and be introduced to techniques which you will apply throughout the course. We'll equip you with an overview of context, history and theory, with a special focus on ethical practices, professionalism and collaboration.   

Modules

Habitation 1

On this introductory module you will explore the connection between people, place and nature, issues of locality, materiality, identity and concepts of settlement, shelter and habitation.      

You will start a journey of learning the histories and theories of architecture and urban design and their influence on design practice. 

Environment 1

You will learn about the anatomy of a building, structure and form. The focus is on user-centred design, and how structures, technology and environmental considerations influence architecture. 

Community 1

You will explore issues of designing for public buildings and spaces in an urban context, thinking about meeting the needs of society sustainably.  

Your journey through the histories and theories of architecture and urban design will continue and help you to develop your research and reasoning skills. 

Practice 1

In this module you will be introduced to a range of professional contexts. You will explore the teams that are involved in the realising of built projects, and will work and design collaboratively, drawing and making at a larger scale. You will also deepen your understanding of structures, form and forces in the built environment. 

In the second year you’ll develop your technical and conceptual skills as you take on larger-scale design projects. You will develop confidence in the application of artistic practice and technical skills, gaining an understanding of the regulatory requirements of professional practice and you will carry out your own practice research.   

You'll learn to create designs that respond to the varied needs of users and continue developing a personal ethical basis for design decisions, with emphasis on equality, diversity and inclusion and concern for both natural and built environments. 

Modules

Habitation 2

You will explore matters of social sustainability, inclusion and participation within an urban or rural context and in response to social needs for a housing project.   

Environment 2

You will undertake a deeper exploration into sustainable project strategies and the specific technical challenges of the building materials, assembly and the synthesis of technological and aesthetic requirements. 

Community 2

You will respond to a larger, more complex site for a community or public building and public realm project in an urban context. You will have the opportunity to develop your own spatial brief and your own architectural language through artistic practice, refining your critical thinking and writing skills.    

Practice 2

You will develop your knowledge, understanding and application of ethical professional practice context, regulatory frameworks and the identification and management of risk.   

There will be an opportunity to study modes of professional practice including new models, and to carry out practice research either through an independently sourced work placement or campus-based research. 

In your final year you will undertake two design projects; focusing your learning and ability to combine technical, ethical practice and aesthetic requirements in response to a brief.  

The first project will test your definition of what architecture is or can be, and allows you to experiment with visual communication.  

Your Dissertation or Practical Submission with Critical Essay builds on the academic research and critical writing skills developed over the course. By the end of the year, you'll be a strong communicator visually and verbally, and will have built a comprehensive portfolio highlighting all your skills.  

Modules

Synthesis 1

You will undertake an experimental exploration of architecture derived from both built and natural environments, strongly focused on sensory design, cultural identity, sustainable and regenerative practice. 

Dissertation

There are two possible pathways for you to choose from for the dissertation, both covering academic research and critical writing set within a broad thematic framework for you to develop your own enquiry supported by your tutors: 

Pathway 1 Dissertation   

This is presented as a written and illustrated submission of 5,000 words (+/- 10%), supported by a 300-word abstract/research statement and a full bibliography.  

Pathway 2 Practical Submission and Critical Essay  

This is presented as a portfolio of your research output and a written and illustrated submission of 2,000 words (+/- 10%) supported by a 300-word abstract/research statement and a full bibliography. 

Synthesis 2

The final project comprises a larger scale building within an urban context as a comprehensive design project and consolidates all your design, technical and communication skills. 

Practice 3

In preparation for your next stage of career development, you will demonstrate your practice knowledge through a written report and the culmination of your design communication and representation skills will be exemplified in an employment portfolio and exhibition panel. There is also an opportunity to participate in a practice mentoring scheme. 

From our studio-based learning environment to study trips, live projects and technical workshops, you’ll work with peers, subject specialists, industry partners and external clients to refine your practice. 

You’ll take part in lectures and seminars, individual and group tutorials, supervised studio time, while also furthering your learning through independent study in response to taught sessions, tutorials, technical workshops, and briefs. 

At Falmouth, we use a 'digitally enhanced learning & teaching' approach. Your experience will always be predominantly in-person, including seminars, tutorials and studio teaching, with some, more targeted elements, being online either live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous). You can read more here.

100% of your assessment will be coursework. 

Assessment methods: 

• Presentations 
• Case studies 
• Learning journal 
• Reports and illustrated essays 
• Written and illustrated dissertation or practical submission and critical essay 
• Portfolio 

Studio equipment and materials

You will need the following items for the start of the course:

• A4 sketchbook unlined. Approx £6.
• 2B – 4B pencils. Approx £6.
• “Tervakoski” type sketching paper roll 30cm wide. Approx £30 (a year)
• Architectural scale rule (30 cm with different scales) , flat. Approx. £8

We also suggest (but not essential in the first couple of weeks):

• Pentel Sharplet Mechanical Pencils x 3 (.5mm/.7mm/.9mm) Approx £7
• Pentel 12 x HB 0.5mm Leads, Pentel 12 x 2B 0.7mm Leads, Pentel 12 x B 0.9mm Leads £1.35 each
• Set of 3 drafting pens size 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 Pentel Pointliner Technical Drawing Fineliner or similar. Approx £12.
• General Purpose Masking tape 24mm wide. Approx £6.
• Swann Morton retractable safety scalpel and 5 x 10a or 11a blades. Approx £9
• 300mm metal safety ruler (‘W’ section) Approx. £15.
• 300mm adjustable set square. Approx. £12.
• Flat Cutting Mat A3. Approx £10
• Polymer Eraser and Eraser shield. Approx £3
• Drawing Compass Approx. £4

The following items are desirable:

• A selection of Colouring pencils Faber Castell Polychromous or Derwent Studio around £22 for a set of 12
• Drafting brush Approx £12
• Clear Tough bag to carry your drawing equipment £5
• Foldover clear plastic and grey card interior type carry case A2 approx £12

Most of the above is available in the campus shop at Falmouth University, or easily found online.

A sensible budget for the above items is approximately £90 - £140

There will also be costs throughout the course in purchasing materials; particularly drawing paper and materials for making models. It would be sensible to allow approximately £150 per academic year for these types of materials.

Computing equipment – Essential at start of course

A laptop will be an essential piece of equipment along with a reliable broadband connection (if you are living in University accommodation you will have this).

The 3D CAD software and digital design tools we teach are fundamental design skills that require daily practice as part of your design process. We recommend budgeting around £1,100 - £1,800

The software we use for Architecture is industry standard; Autodesk AutoCad and Revit with rendering via Enscape, Twinmotion or similar. If you are buying new equipment, Windows-based is strongly recommended.

Operating System: Windows recommended

• Processor: i7 or i9
• RAM: 16GB Minimum, 32GB or higher recommended
• Graphics: Dedicated graphics cards with 4GB RAM. (either Nvidia RTX/Quadro or AMD Radeon)
• VRAM: Dedicated 6GB VRAM
• Storage: 512GB to 1TB+ storage capacity

Please also note Chromebooks, iPads, MacBook Airs and tablets are not suitable hardware for our design software but can be used for note taking and sketching.

Software

• Office 365, including Word, PowerPoint and Outlook. Free through the University, essential at start of course.
• Autodesk AutoCAD and Revit. Provided free through educational license agreement using your Falmouth email. Access will be setup during your first Digital Learning session.
• Additional Cloud back-up is recommended.
• Rhino 3D – available on campus and for purchase at discounted cost
• Adobe Creative Cloud - You will need access to Adobe Creative Cloud. You may be eligible for discounted licenses through Adobe's education pricing and Falmouth University seeks to provide further discounts when possible. If any discounts are available, we will communicate these to you. For more information please visit Adobe Creative Cloud.