The Thesis Sustainability and Equity Report is prepared in conjunction with a major piece of design or research work (which is the Thesis Design project for all MArch students) and aims to summarise the architectural and intellectual content of a project with a particular focus on sustainability and equity. Therefore, requires the student to demonstrate:

A coherent development of the design project, summarising the main ideas driving the project;

A suitable methodology for investigating sustainability, equity and other issues relevant to your design project;

Comprehensive strategies to tackle environmental, social and economic sustainability issues, as well as equity, legal and any other issues raised as relevant to the design project;

A clear identification and detailing of the main structural and constructional strategies developed for the project , as specific components of the global sustainable strategy;

The ability to understand and articulate a f ull range of architectural design issues, at different scales: from global principles to specific details.

(LO1) The ability to communicate in a written report the coherent development of a project/study the design thesis.

(LO2) The ability to communicate in a written report the comprehensive strategies for the historical, social, legal and procurement issues raised by the design of the thesis.

(LO3) The ability to communicate in a written report the clear identification of the main environmental, structural and constructional strategies employed in the design of the thesis.

(S1) Improving own learning/performance - Reflective practice.

(S2) Time and project management - Personal organisation.

(S3) Research skills - All Information skills.

(S4) Personal attributes and qualities - Initiative.

(S5) Critical thinking and problem solving - Creative thinking.

This report requires the student to reflect upon the aims and outcomes of the Thesis Design Project, and to communicate this to others (internal juries and external examiners) by means of an illustrated piece of writing. The report should include the following:

• A clear articulation of the project’s objectives and questions. What question(s) were asked at the outset?
• Project drawings including site plan, sections, photographs and maps. Diagrams may be included to assist in the communication of strategies used.
• An evaluation of the key technical and environmental issues, together with a strategy for addressing them;
• Consideration of the historic, social, legal, regulatory and procurement context;
• An explanation of why the project has taken the chosen format (building, urban study, analytical study) and why this makes a useful contribution to architecture;
• A chronological account of events. How did the project evolve since inception?
• A conclusion, answering the questions posed at the outset. How does the response resolve/change/comment on the status quo.

Reports can vary in length dependent on the nature of the project and the size of the design team and contain both individual and group work (each forming 50% of the total mark). The report should contain all of the relevant visual material pertinent to the project, however, as design/presentation work may continue after submission date it is acceptable if visuals are at a less detailed stage of completion than proposed for the final thesis submission.

Reports should be compiled in a way that allows external examiners to easily understand the relationship between your visual material and the text.

This project report is a very important part of the student’s overall final submission. It is a means for you to reflect upon your project and to communicate it as an illustrated piece of writi ng to others. This will be your first introduction to your external examiner. Students should take care of their report and use its preparation as a way of checking that they have covered the crucial areas in their thesis design, where sustainability and equity should play a fundamental role. They are strongly advised to make use of the School dissertation preparation handbook as a method for ensuring grammar, written style, use of references are appropriate. As with the dissertation, they should make sure that they check it carefully for typographic and spelling errors before submitting. The report should be submitted digitally via VITAL. A4 portrait is the normal size and format of the document and any other should only be considered if there are exceptional circumstances (and be agreed with their tutor in advance). One paper copy should also form part of their Thesis Design Submission.

Teaching Method 1 - Seminar
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Seminar(s) conducted at beginning of module

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Tutorials with thesis (ARCH522) tutors

The majority of teaching will be delivered face to face on campus. Online delivery will be used to complement the on campus delivery and where technology affords a better learning experience.