Bachelor of Architecture

Purpose

The Bachelor of Architecture, Level 7 will provide Graduates with a well-rounded and broad education appropriate to a profession as a candidate architectural technologist, who may register in the appropriate category with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) in terms of the provisions of the Architectural Profession Act, Act 44 of 2000.

Stemming from this purpose, the Bachelor of Architecture will provide graduates with

1. A foundation for further Postgraduate study (the Degree articulates into the Bachelor of Architecture Honours (to allow registration as senior architectural technologist) and on completion thereof a Master of Architecture (to allow registration as candidate architect).
2. Opportunities for gainful employment and rewarding contributions to the expansion of the building profession and to the South African economy and society.
3. Professional training, entry to post-graduate studies or to professional practice in related careers.

4 Graduate-level knowledge to constructively and creatively address challenges related to the delivery of sensitive and appropriate designs within the built environment.

1. Graduate-level historical, theoretical and practical (contractual, legal, administrative, construction technology, building structure and services) knowledge pertaining to the field of architecture, in order to ensure an empathetic understanding of and attitude towards the social, cultural, natural, urban and historical environments.
2. Graduate-level knowledge of presentation and research skills, principles and methods pertaining to practical architectural and related professions.
3. A thorough grounding in the knowledge, theory, principles and skills of the profession or career concerned and the ability to apply these to professional or career contexts.

This Degree contains a component of work-integrated learning through work place simulation sessions, community service learning and experiential learning in studio in the modules Design and Construction.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Architecture, supports relevant education and meets national and international requirements as determined and validated by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) and internationally by the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA). This Bachelor's Degree programme is designed in accordance to the outcomes required by SACAP. The evaluations and examinations for the Degree Bachelor of Architecture are recognised by the minister concerned in terms of the provisions of the Architectural Profession Act (Act 44 of 2000).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, Level 4 granting access to Bachelor Degree study NQF 4.
• Senior Certificate, Level 4 with matriculation exemption.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 400 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Design (1), 48 Credits.
• History of Architecture (1), 16 Credits.
• Construction (1), 24 Credits.
• Photography, 8 Credits.
• Presentation Techniques, 16 Credits.
• Trigonometrical Drawing, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 136 Credits

• Construction (2), 24 Credits.
• Computer Draughting, 16 Credits.
• Construction Science (2), 16 Credits.
• Theory Of Architecture (1), 16 Credits.
• Design 2, 48 Credits.
• History Of Architecture (2), 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 144 Credits

• Construction Science (3), 16 Credits.
• History of Architecture (3), 24 Credits.
• Construction (3), 24 Credits.
• Theory Of Architecture (2), 16 Credits.
• Design 3, 48 Credits.
• Building Contracts Law, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate and deduce the fundamentals of the design process, thorough appropriate planning, problem analysis on a basic level and knowledge of social and environmental issues concerning the human ecological Landscape.
2. Relate and compose knowledge of construction methods, basic structural, concepts pertaining to buildings and uses for materials related to simple low rise building types.
3. Identify and outline knowledge of historical periods and theoretical thought in architecture from antiquity to the contemporary world.
4. Relate and assess terms, concepts, facts and principles specific to the history and theory of architecture within the unique cosmological and contextual setting.
5. Adapt historical and theoretical terms, concepts, facts and principles to the design of specific buildings.
6. Illustrate and recommend typical architectural construction and design theories relating to structures ranging from single story dwellings to multi-storey institutional buildings and landscape projects to urban settings.
7. Demonstrate different and innovative architectural design approaches and construction practices.
8. Employ specific design approaches and construction practices to specific cultural and historical landscapes on specific environmental levels.
9. Classify, examine and assess inter-related theoretical, design and construction complexities connected to a possible design solution and unique to a specific human ecological landscape (landscape specific to man, place, time and culture).
10. Classify the different aspects of the human ecological landscape as integrated systems that affect architectural design and construction and appreciate diversity of and within unique human ecological landscapes.
11. Identify and analyse responsible and professional architectural decisions for design and construction projects.
12. Deduce independent thought and practices into design and construction methods and the appropriate applications.
13. Orally defend design and construction decisions and design and construction assessment, given specific design and construction problems for a specific environment.
14. Review and illustrate knowledge of the various technological aspects relating to building services, building regulations and technology.
15. Examine and produce a set of working drawings of a low-rise building to acceptable practice standards taking into consideration responsible design and construction, sensitive to the context.
16. Classify, examine and address appropriate design and construction problems, using computer packages, technical drawings, analysis and construction problems using computer packages, technical drawings, analysis and two and three-dimensional modelling.

17 Effectively illustrate ideas through academic and professional oral, visual and/or written conversion and presentation techniques in a verity of mediums and in two and three dimensions.

1. Work effectively as an individual, in teams, with peers in groups and the communities and in multi-disciplinary environments showing leadership and performing critical functions.
2. Outline component and material specification and local authority approval requirements and procedures as well as the relevance of appropriate national building regulations.
3. Identify and interpret the contents of the various building contracts, the terminology and basic concepts of architectural practice, and the administrative and logistical support systems in a practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

1. Written reports, design sketches, working drawings and 3-dimensional models are constructed complying with the following:

• Application of research information theoretical and historical precedent precepts and principles.
• Design concepts, site location and layout, plans, sections, details and elevations, showing structural techniques and material, provision of services and acoustical requirements.
• Mathematical structural and other calculations involved.
• Economic feasibility of project.
• An understanding, interpretation and application of the principles and terms of contracts law and commercial law in the construction industry.
• Coordination and distribution of relevant documentation, to communicate with parties involved, conducting site meetings, producing site minutes and demonstrating time management and ethical principles where applicable.
• An exposition of the value of conservation projects and the precepts, principles and regulations involved, as well as the strategy for sustainable technical structural conservation.
• A basic managerial plan with reference to office organisation, employment, budget, marketing strategies and immediate and longer term future projections and vision.
• Proficiency in visual and spatial skills such as pencil/pen drawing, watercolour, gouache, airbrush, and collage techniques, computer literacy in graphic and 3-dimensional modelling and photography and model building.

1. An oral presentation of the design proposal presented to demonstrate efficiency in verbal skills by a good command of language, conciseness and clarity of thought and speech, and creativity in self-expression.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment strategy provides for formative and continuous assessment opportunities. This combination of assessment forms affords learners the opportunity to monitor their progress on a regular basis and address problems as they occur and will include:

1. Presentation, projects, seminar and assignments on an approved architectural (history, theory, construction and design) topic is required which will test and help to give the learner insight into the complexity of architecture.
2. Integrated continuous and formative assessment allowing demonstration of achieved competences (knowledge, skill and a professional attitude) as required by the outcomes of the Qualification by means of:

• Tests.
• Assignments.
• Seminars.
• External Orals and Presentations.
• Internal Presentations.
• Research projects and assignments.
• Practical reports and projects.