Design Fundamentals and Techniques

The module introduces the students to the fundamental elements, principles and processes of design in general and for the built environment. This module intends to develop the students’ cognitive and affective capacities and introduces students to fundamentals, basic techniques and skills in design and the creative process. Ideation will be taught through a series of short projects that will help the students to understand and explore various design processes and methods. This module aims to help students un-learn the pre-conceptions that they may have accumulated, encouraging questioning of conventions and standard practices through creative and critical thinking. The module culminates in an integrated design studio project where the student would be able to apply knowledge acquired from the other modules in the course.

Technology and Sustainability Fundamentals

This module is aimed at equipping students to take on an investigative approach to study the fundamental elements of building science as well as sustainability considerations and its application in built environment projects. Students are encouraged to integrate the various building science and sustainability elements into their integrated design studio project to bring about new design possibilities as well as gaining a broader understanding of their applications in the realm of the built environment.

Design Representation

The module will address the fundamental issues of critical observation and reflection, critical and creative thinking, visualization as well as design documentation to facilitate the development and communication of design ideas. Students will complete a series of exercises to develop computer aided 2D and 3D visualization, model making and freehand sketching skills. Projects will be used to develop capacity and capability to conceive design ideas in terms of spatial development in response to design theory, ergonomics, anthropometrics as well as environmental and technical issues relevant to the built environment. The ability to conceptualize in 3D through the making of study models and prepare appropriate graphical design documentation relevant to the built environment industry will be developed to enable students to demonstrate their application of knowledge acquired from the other modules in the year into an integrated design studio project.

Architecture Foundation

This foundation module introduces students to a wide range of contemporary architectural issues and design considerations. It begins with the imaginative aspects of architecture by drawing on the key ideas propagated by Modern architecture in the early 20th century as well as Post-Modern tendencies that followed thereafter. The module then shifts its focus to basic local building codes and regulations to acquaint students with the constraints of architectural practice before culminating in an introduction to the principles of architectural detailing.

Communicating for Personal & Team Effectiveness

This module aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to solve problems and make decisions by setting personal goals which are in line with team goals. This includes managing time and resources effectively so as to reduce stress to achieve work-life balance. Students will also understand and be able to apply self-awareness techniques including applying emotional intelligence principles to manage self at the workplace.

Critical and Analytical Thinking (CAT)

This module aims to equip students with skills in critical and analytical thinking, which includes the ability to evaluate different perspectives, articulate a point of view and support it with relevant and credible evidence. The module also provides students with opportunities to practise information literacy, and critical and analytical thinking through the exploration of contemporary local and global issues.

Communicating for Project (Proposal) Effectiveness

Aims to equip students with the skills to articulate and communicate ideas persuasively, and to work effectively in teams. They will be taught to pitch ideas or concepts and to write proposals to an intended audience.

Narrative Thinking (NAT)

This module aims to equip students with the skills to critically evaluate the elements of narratives used in a variety of contexts, and to appreciate and harness the power of storytelling in our daily life. Students will analyse narratives to connect and contextualise self to society, and learn to craft impactful personal narratives to inspire or influence others.

Design Studio I (Architecture)

This module introduces students to the design considerations, space planning principles and building code requirements pertaining to high-rise residential development projects. Simulating the design process in practice, this module brings students through the various stages, beginning with site and brief analysis to idea inception, then to the preparation of drawings for authority submissions and finally culminating in the development of spatial and architectural details. Students are expected to synthesize building code requirements, technological applications and theoretical frameworks acquired from other modules through the design of a high-rise residential project.

Technical Studies I (Architecture)

This module introduces students to the technological means that architecture employs to address construction and environmental issues. The first of 2 parts, this module covers the technical knowledge related to structure, drainage, sewerage, plumbing, lighting, thermal comfort and waste management deployed in a high-rise residential development. With particular focus in prefabricated systems and designing for the tropics, this module impart to students the principles of modularity as well as passive environmental strategies. Students are expected to demonstrate their appreciation for designing for sustainability, maintainability as well as manufacturing and assembly by translating their understanding into system thinking and architectural detailing.

Design Representation I (Architecture)

This module equips students with intermediate computer aideded modeling and visualisation skills for architectural documentation and communication. With particular focus on Building Information Modelling (BIM), this module introduces to students the user interface, modelling tools, families, renderings and drawing layout setups found in Autodesk Revit. It also covers principles of visual composition to equip students with graphical skills to produce effective presentation materials. Students are expected to demonstrate their appreciation for integrated digital delivery by translating their learning into presentation and authority submission drawings.

Elective 1

Please refer to Elective Module link below.

Communicating for Professional Effectiveness

This module aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to identify jobs that match their interests, capabilities and qualifications to prepare resumes that are unique and customised for job requirements and hone interview skills to help them secure that job. Students will also understand and be able to apply self-awareness techniques including applying emotional intelligence principles in a professional setting to manage self and a team at the workplace.

Social Innovation Project

This module aims to equip students with a Design Thinking mindset in a social innovation context. Students collaborate in multi-disciplinary groups to apply Design Thinking tools and methods to create innovative prototype solutions for local social issues. In the process, they will develop a better understanding of themselves, and empathy for a local community in need.

Internship Programme

This programme introduces to students to the concepts of professionalism & ethics, marketing and branding, time & work management, and contract administration relevant to architectural practice. Students are given the opportunity to gain professional working experience through attachments to local or overseas companies or organisations over a period of 12 - 22 weeks. Students are required to prepare a report and proper documentation on the internship programme.

Design Studio II (Architecture)

This module is a progression from Design Studio I (Architecture). It provides students with the knowledge for a comprehensive practice-orientated design process. Students are expected to synthesize building code requirements, technological applications and theoretical frameworks acquired from other modules through the design of a commercial / institutional project.

Technical Studies II (Architecture)

This module is a progression from Technical Studies I (Architecture). It covers the technical knowledge related to structure, drainage, sewerage, waste management, plumbing, lighting and thermal comfort typically adopted in non-residential developments. Focusing on bespoke construction systems as well as active environmental strategies, this module covers architectural systems like curtain walling, adaptive facades, mechanical ventilation and cooling systems and steel constructions. Students are expected to demonstrate the understanding of sophisticated technology and its application and in the design of a sustainable architecture.

Design Representation II (Architecture)

This module is a progression from Design Representation I (Architecture). It equips students with intermediate to advanced computer aideded modeling and visualisation skills for architectural documentation and communication. It covers advanced modelling skills like creating parametric adaptative components and energy analysis tools. The softwares covered in this module include Autodesk Revit, Graphicsoft ArchiCAD and Twinmotion.

Technical Studies Thesis (Architecture)

This module provides students with the opportunities to acquire deeper understanding of architectural technologies through research. With fundamental understanding of technology established in Technical Studies I & II (Architecture), this module allows students to consolidate their knowledge by conducting an in-depth study of a specific architectural component where they investigate it's origins and contemporary applications. The studies will be documented as a report consisting of explanatory notes supplemented by detail and component assembly drawings.

Depth Elective I (Architecture)

This module provides students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in specific areas of interest within the architectural domain. They choose from a basket of topics ranging from architectural history and theory to emerging methods of architectural production. The topics expand and build from the knowledge taught in the core.

Depth Elective II (Architecture)

This module provides students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in specific areas of interest within the architectural domain. They choose from a basket of topics ranging from architectural history and theory to emerging methods of architectural production. The topics expand and build from the knowledge taught in the core.

Elective 2

Please refer to Elective Module link below.

Elective 3

Please refer to Elective Module link below.