Bachelor of Architectural Studies Honours

Purpose

An Honours qualification in architecture that provides learners with advanced vocational and discipline-specific knowledge, skills and competencies related to the history, theory, technology and practice of architecture. The qualification of study extends the base of knowledge of the learner through learner study with particular emphasis on architectural design. It is focused on developing creative and critical inquiry, reflective understanding and cultural, social and technical knowledge in preparation for self-motivated independent learning.

The qualification introduces an honours qualification within a succession of qualifications leading towards professional qualification in architecture. It is a prerequisite qualification for admission into the Master of Architecture (Professional) (NQF Level 8).

Currently learners progress from the qualification (three years, NQF Level 6) to a 'second' bachelor's qualification, the Bachelor of Architecture (two years academic, NQF Level 8). The Bachelor of Architecture will be replaced by the qualification at Honours level, (one year, NQF Level 7) followed by a Master of Architecture (Professional) (one year, NQF Level 8), in line with international practice and national models within other institutions of higher learning. Qualifying learners exit the Master of Architecture (Professional) as learner professional architects.

Rationale

The current Bachelor of Architecture (2 year full-time) will be converted into the qualification with Honours (1 year full-time) and a Master of Architecture (Professional) (1 year full-time). No market research has been conducted as this is an existing programme that is being converted in response to the precedent that has been set in architectural education and that has been implemented at national level by all Higher Education institutions offering the previous existing qualification. This qualification is aligned to the qualification of the same title submitted by the University of the Witwatersrand to SAQA and registered on the NQF, at which time it became part of the public domain.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Learners who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the institution that they have a qualification, experiential or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Learners who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum by including preliminary qualifications prior to admission to the qualification or parallel qualification after admission.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Architectural Technology, Level 7.

Year 1; Fundamental/Core/Elective; Number of credits

• Course 1A (Architectural Design); Core; 48 credits.
• Course 1B (History and Theory of Architecture); Core; 12 credits.
• Course 1C (Architectural Research Methods); Fundamental; 12 credits.
• Course 1D (Course elective 1); Elective; 12 credits.
• Course 2A (Architectural Design); Core; 48 credits.
• Course 2B (Advanced Building Technology); Core; 12 credits.
• Course 2C (Professional Practice); Fundamental; 12 credits.
• Course 2D (Course elective 2); Elective; 12 credits.

Total: 168 credits.

Exit level outcome 1

• The qualifying learner demonstrates competence in executing, in a responsible, appropriate and economical manner, whether in an urban, sub-urban or rural context, a building design of a complex nature, based on parameters and constraints developed through independent scientific research, which is sensitive to issues of environment, sustainability and culture.

Exit level outcome 2

• The qualifying learner demonstrates an understanding of architectural history and theory as part of a wider natural, social, technological and cultural system, the principles of learning from historical precedent and social, ethical, spatial and aesthetic aspects of the environment.
• The qualifying learner demonstrates an ability to analyse and evaluate the built form and its informants critically in complex terms and conduct relevant research into architectural theories.

Exit level outcome 3

• The qualifying learner demonstrates the ability to implement innovative applications of construction methods and uses for materials in multi-storey, multi-functional, complex building types.
• The qualifying learner recognizes the demands of context, local resources and appropriate technologies that harmonizes with the environment and influence the construction of the building.
• The qualifying learner can develop a durable, cost-effective, climate sensitive response.
• The qualifying learner demonstrates the ability to conduct advanced research into construction methods and materials for appropriate applications.

Exit level outcome 4

• The qualifying learner demonstrates the ability to master and implement academic and design research methods.
• The qualifying learner demonstrates the ability to integrate knowledge of academic and design research methods with qualification content.

Exit level outcome 5

• The qualifying learner demonstrates the ability to interpret regulatory and legal aspects pertaining to the architectural profession.
• The qualifying learner demonstrates the ability to implement the contents of the building contracts and practice manuals published by the Institute for South African Architects.
• The qualifying learner demonstrates the ability to apply basic concepts of business structures pertaining to the architectural profession.
• The qualifying learner demonstrates the ability to interpret meaningful participation in the management and administration of a building project.
• The qualifying learner demonstrates an understanding of the principles of project management and of the relationship between the architect and other built environment consultants.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

The evidence shows the learner's ability to

• Appraise and understand complex architectural problems.
• Conceive of an appropriate concept.
• Develop a design to an ultimate and rational conclusion.
• Competently present the design synthesis in a logical manner.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

The evidence shows the learner's ability to

• Critically engage with architectural history and theory within the context of wider natural, social, technological and cultural systems.
• Critically engage with principles of learning from historical precedent.
• Critically engage with social, ethical, spatial and aesthetic aspects of the environment.
• Critically analyse and evaluate the built form in complex terms.
• Critically provide evidence of competent and relevant research conducted into architectural theories.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

The evidence shows the learner's ability to

• Discuss and demonstrate innovative application and implementation of construction methods and uses of materials in complex building types.
• Discuss and recognize the demands of context, local resources and appropriate technologies which harmonize with the environment and influence the construction of a building.
• Develop durable, cost-effective, climate sensitive construction response.
• Conduct advanced research into construction methods and materials appropriate for application.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

The evidence shows the learner's ability to

• Master and implement academic and architectural design research methods.
• Integrate knowledge of academic and architectural design research methods with qualification content.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

The evidence shows the learner's ability to

• Interpret regulatory and legal aspects pertaining to the architectural profession.
• Implement the contents of the building contracts and practice manuals published by the Institute for South African Architects.
• Apply basic concepts of business structures pertaining to the architectural profession.
• Interpret meaningful participation in the management and administration of a building project.

Integrated Assessment

Learners are assessed through written assignments, oral and graphic presentations, written examinations and through a final oral examination where all aspects of the qualification are assessed.