What will I learn on this module?
Within this module you will advance your comprehension, and justification through critical application, of the relationship between constructional and environmental design existent within the given context and that of the inferred interior intervention. Using your own design project work as a point of reference, you will explore the implications of constructional and environmental systems design upon your proposal; you will investigate the impact of sustainable design upon space, fabric and constructional technology; and demonstrate the integration of environmental systems within your design. The module provides you with opportunities to develop individual attitudes and critical choices towards fit out, material assemblage and integration of technologies, in relation to a studio-based design project. With cognisance of the social, ethical and environmental responsibilities of the interior architecture profession, you will critically justify, through imaginative synthesis, constructional systems and environmental design, and concerns of energy consumption and ecological impacts of adopted technologies. Structural, constructional, environmental and sustainable design criteria will be considered, allowing comparative analysis of current and possible solutions; you will consequently be required to propose solutions for your studio design project that can be rigorously justified in their application to factors such as structural performance; fire strategies; accessibility; and fabrication and assembly. Similarly, environmental consideration of daylighting; acoustic performance, ventilation, heating and cooling will require your justified argument for the design choices you will make. You will critically justify the material, spatial, and technological choices made in your studio design project; and demonstrate the integration of environmental systems in retrofit, while also meeting the aesthetic and functional demands of your studio project.
How will I learn on this module?
The thematic lecture programme will develop upon your understanding from years one and two of your studies, and cover the key issues in relation to an advanced understanding of detailing and the assemblage of materials, and sustainable retrofit in existing buildings. The lectures and supporting seminars will combine formal presentations with group and individual discussions and exercises, related to technological and environmental solutions design to support your studio-based design projects. The production of your technology and environmental design exercise, which is aligned to your design project, will seek to evidence the critical choice and application of technological and environmental tempering that demonstrates your appreciation of global stewardship. The systematic analysis of appropriate case studies and professional practices will underpin this approach. Self-directed, inquiry-based learning will be supported by tailored sessions and activities, where peer teaching and evaluation will be employed to support your learning. Weekly tutorials with the design project tutors will contribute to an ongoing conversation between students and tutors to support the application of knowledge to the module assignment. Visits to buildings under construction or in occupation will be made wherever possible to demonstrate applications and implications on design and you will be encouraged to carry out independent learning to reinforce the taught concepts and conditions to develop your own knowledge.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Your learning will be supported through the lecture programme content and structured seminar sessions which will allow you to discuss approaches to application of your self-generated solutions for technological and environmental proposals. Engagement in lectures and participation to group seminars and associated discussion is essential to your development. You will be expected to develop these proposals through the critical synthesis of lecture content with studio discussions involving tutors. At key points, feedback on formative and summative assignments will be offered in verbal, written and drawn format which will provide advice for further development and appraisal of your work and performance. Directed learning will allow you to research issues raised in seminars and independent learning will enable you to investigate your own interests and ideas. Self-directed learning will be essential for your personal research, creative exploration and development of assignment work. All module material will be available on the eLearning Portal (ELP) so that you can access information when you need to and we operate an open-door policy to help support student learning when needed. The university library offers support through its extensive physical and on-line resources, through e-reading lists. In addition, guidance on developing academic study skills, is provided by the Ask4Help facility.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
KU 1. Articulate the theory and principles of building technologies and sustainability, from the human scale interior fit-out to its integration within an existing building, with cognisance of regulatory frameworks and environmental systems.
KU 2. Critical evaluate the integrative nature of sustainable and technological factors, with consideration of structure, fit out and material approaches to the design and performance of built space and their impact on interior architecture.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
IPSA 1. You will apply critical inquiry in the choice and design of technological solutions that synthesize formal, functional, and sustainability aims in interior architectural design.
IPSA 2. Critically apply the properties and meanings of materials and their use, with attention to the process of assembly that guide the design of interior adaptations. Knowledgeable articulation of comprehensive ability discerning and applying appropriate and professional manual and digital visual communication methods towards the production of interior architectural drawing conventions.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
PVA 1. You will identify and evaluate principles of environmental sustainability, human well-being, and global stewardship with respect to the built and natural environment. In addition, you will develop a personal understanding and engagement with the ethical, professional and social responsibilities of a design professional within a multidisciplinary environment.
How will I be assessed?
Formative assessment for learning will provide advice and feedback on work in progress through formal and informal seminar and studio-based activities, with the aim of supporting learning and application of knowledge.
Summative assessment will be through the production of a comprehensive technical design exercise;
1. Comprehensive Illustrated Technical Design Exercise (5000 words equivalence) (100%):
KU1, KU2, IPSA1, ISPA2, PVA1
Feedback will be offered in verbal, written and drawn form, which will provide advice for further development and a critical appraisal of their work and performance. Moderation of summative assessment will take place at the end of the module.
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
This module provides you with the opportunity for a comprehensive and detailed study of technology, in the form of interior architectural constructional and environmental design, that is directly related to your studio-based projects. The module will focus on the technology to support your advanced selection, understanding, assemblage, detailing and materiality of intelligent interventions into existing interior architectural space through to a human-scale. You will examine both practical and thematic issues of environmental impact upon existing interior architecture and explore the way in which constructional and sustainable design is considered and integrated in practice. You will have the opportunity to examine technological and sustainable issues in detail by application, and as complementary to your design projects work, through the production of an annotated design exercise directly linked to your design project. Lecture content will be aligned with your studio module to provide focus towards your critical application of this knowledge within studio-based design projects, and will be supported by focussed seminars and activities. Formative assessment will take place through a series of tutorials, seminars and reviews at key points. Summative assessment is the production of a professionally communicated, annotated technical and environmental design exercise; comprising of drawing packages and supporting work, which will demonstrate your skills of inquiry and critical evaluation.
Course info
UCAS Code W251
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Architecture and Built Environment
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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