DE7030 - Spatial Futures

What will I learn on this module?

DE7030 Spatial Futures module (40 Credits) provides the creative platform for you to develop a subject specialist (Environmental Design) resolution from which you proposed in the DE7029 Adaptive Environmental Design module (40 credits in a previous teaching block). The module questions and addresses the development of spatial and environmental design through active experimentation of spatial assembly through a future narrative of space. This new spatial context will reconstruct the physical and digital boundaries between humans to the built environment. This will be through physical and multimedia applications of space. The use of digital technology will open and blend the environmental conditions synchronizing multimodal applications. The module will introduce and apply digital environments within the physical spatial environment investigating the impact and influence of augmented, virtual and mixed reality impact environmental psychology, human factors, science, cognitive ergonomics and ecological psychology on the narrative(s) of spatial practice, culture and design. This will be explored through a synthesis of 3-dimensional concepts and applies new experimental digital applications, materials and processes propelling innovative solutions for future environmental (internal and external) spatial design solutions. You will be encouraged to explore the boundaries of the existing spatial environment and consider future planet-orientated environments for living, working and leisure that actively condition a sustainable and carbon-capture/ carbon-neutral design process.



The module encourages the integration of other disciplines, practices and processes that would include interior, product, architecture, landscape, graphic, fashion and performance design. The module further positions and advances your ideas for your DE7003 Project/Thesis (60 credits) in the final teaching block. This will integrate the traditional design process of research, design development, technical, and summative concept proposals and future-facing representations and visualizations of spatial and environmental concepts through Creative Technologies including 2D, 3D, digital, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed-Reality (MR) communication. You will communicate and present concepts, ideas or conclusions using a variety of methods to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriate media. You will learn from a range of academic and research staff and design professionals that include spatial, environmental and interior design industries, architecture, design communication, fashion, design for industry, digital and interaction design, service design, design management and design thinking. This multidisciplinary approach to teaching will help you to explore new ways of thinking and enhance the current practices in design.

How will I learn on this module?

In the DE7030 Spatial Futures module (40 Credits) you will learn through using experimental development of environments and space, volume, materials, 3D modelling, processes and technologies to execute a body of work that extends the previous brief and concepts from DE7029 Adaptive Environmental Design module (40 credits). This will be through constructed physical, digital and virtual visualisation, drawing, photography and 3D model constructions (physical and digital) that make a portfolio of work that explores your predetermined, environmental design brief, manifesto and feasibility proposal identified in the previous module.



The learning for the DE7030 Spatial Futures module will utilise both physical and virtual studio environments (depending on the project) and will encourage you to investigate and experiment with the environmental form to develop new and alternative narrative concepts that connect physical and digital spaces (depending on the project). A wide exploration of spatial and environmental design disciplines will encourage the investigations of migratory, liminal and transient spaces as a way to develop and connect internal and external design solutions as precedents for new assemblies and uses of interior and architectural space. Utilizing the theories and concepts from other disciplines will deepen and enrich the learning environment and enable new forms of connected knowledge will be developed. You will maintain your PDJ (Personal Development Journal) to aid your own creative development and learning in which you will record, reflect and analyse each of your design processes and activities to enable you to advance your design concept.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported by academic experts who will facilitate masterly level discussion in one-to-one tutorials and group critiques around your chosen project in scheduled timetabled sessions, directed study and blended learning. These formal conversations are opportunities to receive immediate feedback on ongoing work and to act on that feedback. You will also have workshops and technical support appropriate to your subject proposal to advance your design practice and experiment relevant to your project.

You will keep a record of this feedforward/ feedback as part of your PDJ to progress your work to enhance your skills and intellectual understanding to develop your experimental work that advances spatial and environmental design narrative and culture, synthesises 3-dimensional concepts and applies new experimental materials and processes. Your portfolio of work undertaken in the module will also document your reflective thought processes leading to a supported and masterly approach to idea and spatial development. You will use reflective practice to progress your ideas through iterative cycles that help you problem-solve and embrace advanced environmental and spatial experience through digital and VR applications, interior chorography, materials and processes.

Further formal academic support is provided via information posted on E-Learning Portal. Where appropriate, students may also be directed to engage with Study Skills +, or other resources offered through the University Student Support Services such as Dyslexia Support. The Library is open 24 hours a day and E-Learning portal houses all your module documents including your timetable. These services can be accessed on a range of devices for blended Learning.

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:

2. Demonstrate self-direction by and keeping an ongoing Personal and Professional Development Journal and applying it into practice

3. Articulate and apply to practice an understanding of the process through which knowledge is created within your discipline



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

1. Employ research theory and methods appropriate to design products and systems.

2. Collect analyse and synthesise data.

3. Frame and deal with complex issues through the representation of environmental and spatial design applications.

4. Present a portfolio of professional practice capabilities and articulate the focus and detail of design value in a variety of situations to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

2. Be able to demonstrate curiosity and innovation in your own work and be able to nurture creativity in others

3. Articulate your unique contribution in context supporting your future employability and long-term career prospects

4. Operate as a reflective practitioner

5. Engage in an investigative and developmental dialogue with relevant academic and professional groups and communities

How will I be assessed?

100% - A communicative and annotated portfolio of 2D, 3D and digital (virtual) spatial and environmental design work including research, design development, technical, and summative concept proposals (which could include conceptualization of space(s), animations, visualization, spatial construction, models, maquettes, drawings, mood-boards, collages, photographs and other and technical information). This should evidence new and experimental spatial forms that reveal experimental applications of space, volume, light, materials and processes that create and respond to new experiential spaces and environments. Reflective practice should be evident in evaluative and critical written commentary in the portfolio which will contribute to your Personal and Professional Development Journal.

Formative assessment will be given throughout the semester through peer and tutor feedback with tutorial support helping to progress your work and enhance your design practice skills, cultural and intellectual understanding of space.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

The DE7030 Spatial Futures module (40 Credits) explores the future of Spatial and Environmental and encourages the integration of other disciplines, practices and processes that would include interior, product, architecture, landscape, graphic, fashion and performance design. The module uses the preparations from the DE7029 Adaptive Environmental Design module (40 credits) as a platform for experimentation and further positions and advances your ideas for your DE7003 Project/Thesis (60 credits) in the final Teaching block. Your experiments and project iterations will enrich the experience of the environment and are documented through (physically or digitally) an annotated document of 2D and 3D spatial design work. This will embrace the traditional design process of research, design development, technical, and summative concept proposals through animations, visualization, spatial construction, models, maquettes, drawings, mood-boards, collages, photographs and other media as an extended portfolio of work that expresses new understanding and applications of space. The module specifically encourages you to develop new and integrated representations of environmental space through 2D, 3D, digital, VR and mixed-reality communication.

Course info

Credits 40

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years Part Time

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

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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