This module discusses principles governing the conceptual design of buildings and their implementation in engineering practice. In particular, you will know about form and functionality, actions on buildings, structural design of tall buildings, sustainability and passive buildings, construction and demolition, resilience of buildings, operation and performance tracking.

You will have the opportunity to examine case studies among others the exotic shape of the Transamerica Pyramid (San Francisco), the revolutionary cell apartments Unité d'Habitation (France), the unusual plan distribution of luxury apartment block (Berlin), the energy efficient Shard London Bridge, and to discuss and implement principles of conceptual design in practical applications. 

To provide you with knowledge of fundamental aspects of conceptual design of buildings and implementation in engineering practice. Lecturers will cover a number of topics including:

• form and functionality;
• actions on buildings;
• sustainability of buildings;
• construction and operation;
• resilience and maintainability.

Discipline and Module Intended Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Perform conceptual design of buildings, including architectural design, actions, construction and maintenance;

2. Use and apply principles of conceptual design of buildings: loads and plans distribution, use and reuse of materials, construction methods, and their application in engineering practice.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

3. Evaluate how design actions, sustainability, reliability, operation and maintenance affect conceptual design;

4. Address client needs and optimise structural performance.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

5. Work in a team;

6. Illustrate effective creativity and communication skills using a variety of commonly available media and techniques

Form and function of building:Tall buildings, apartment block, floor distribution, offices, students apartment;

1. Actions on buildings;
2. Building foundation;
3. Sustainability;
4. Materials: recycle and reuse;
5. Operation and maintenance of buildings;
6. Building retrofit;
7. Design Process (RIBA stages)
8. Case studies.
9. Reflective writing and professional development plam

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.
 

Basic reading:

• Building structures; from concept to design – Author Milais M
• Designing Tall Buildings: Structure as Architecture – Author Sarkisian, M
• Fundamentals of building construction: Materials and Methods – Author Allen E and Iano J
• Reinforced concrete design according to Eurocode 2 – Author Mosley WH, Hulse R and Bungey JH.
• Steel Designers Manual – Edited by Davison B and Graham W,O

Web-based and electronic resources:

• ELE – Faculty to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Other resources:

• The British Standard Online Webpage.
• The Institute of Civil Engineering Website

Reading list for this module: