Bachelor of the Built Environment in Architecture

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with knowledge of architecture and prepare them for registration as Professional Architects within the field of built environment. Upon the completion of this qualification, learners will have a sound knowledge base in the discipline of architecture and will be able to apply their knowledge and skills to a particular career in a professional manner. They will be equipped with skills that will enable them to undertake more specialised and intensive learning to be able to enter a specific niche in the architectural profession.

Upon qualifying the learner will be able to

• Identify and respond to contextual and environmental design imperatives and use historical and theoretical positions and precedents in conceptualising building designs of limited complexity, as defined by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP).
• Respond to programmatic requirements and apply architectural design processes and principles creatively in the design of limited complexity building, as defined by SACAP.
• Solve design problems and develop design proposals for limited complexity buildings into detailed contract documentation and assembly details that comply with accepted professional standards and statutory regulations.
• Select and incorporate appropriate structural systems, construction methods, materials, building services and systems into the design of limited complexity buildings in consultation with various built environment and other professions (where appropriate).
• Apply architectural office management practices and procedures, using standard professional documents, guidelines, legal and ethical prescriptions.
• Use professional computer programmes for the production of industry related and relevant standard documentation.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Built Environment (Architecture) is designed to provide learners with integrated knowledge of the Built Environment specifically in Architecture and equips them with skills to solve problems related to Architecture. There is a need to train more architectural professionals in order to bridge the skills shortage gap in South Africa including those who are from previously disadvantaged groups. This qualification will enable a learner to acquire a broad and general architectural education whilst giving emphasis to science and technology within an interdisciplinary framework at a university of technology thereby distinguishing it from architectural education Degrees offered at traditional universities.

Currently, the Institution offers the National Diploma (Architectural Technology) and the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) Architectural Technology. The current National Diploma (Architectural Technology) allows for registration as a Candidate Architectural Technologist whilst the B.Tech (Architectural Technology) allows for registration as Candidate Senior Architectural Technologist with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP). This qualification therefore replaces both the National Diploma and B Tech that are in the process of being phased out.

This qualification is supported by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) provided it meets the minimum outcomes for registration within its framework for professional registration. It fits well into the Professional Architectural Technologist (SACAP) category and would articulate within the Higher Education Quality Sub-framework (HEQSF and the SACAP Identification of Work (IDOW) framework towards higher level qualifications such as the Honours and Masters Degrees as well as higher professional qualifications such as Professional Senior Architectural Technologist and ultimately, Professional Architect. It is envisaged that the Honours Degree within this area of learning will be offered towards professional registration as Candidate Senior Architectural Technologist whilst the Master's Degree will afford registration as Candidate Architect.

This qualification will also prepare learners for careers in Architecture and enable learners to acquire technological proficiency so as to make a contribution to the economy for national development whilst opening a pathway for them for further studies within this field of study.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Selection of such learners will be conducted on an individual basis in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy of the Institution. A functional system for RPL is in place at the Institution.

RPL applications for the institution are received by the Centre for Assessments and Graduations. The candidates are required to complete a RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio of evidence, reflecting on extensive work learning. Once the institution's RPL coordinator has deemed the RPL application as being complete, the portfolio will be sent to the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences for assessment. The faculty's RPL committee will assess the candidate's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes.

Entry Requirements

Learners are required to have the following in place in order to be considered for admission

• A Senior Certificate with endorsement and with appropriate subjects.

Or

• National Senior Certificate granting access to Bachelor Degree studies and with appropriate subjects.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 432 Credits.

Level 5, 172 Credits

• Cornerstone 101, 12 Credits.
• Mathematics for the Built Environment 101, 12 Credits.
• Physics 1A, 8 Credits.
• Physics 1B, 8 Credits.
• Settlement History 101, 12 Credits.
• Architectural Design 1A, 24 Credits.
• Construction Technology 1 A, 24 Credits.
• Academic Literacy 1A, 8 Credits.
• Academic Literacy 1B, 8 Credits.
• Architectural Design 1B, 24 Credits.
• History and Theory of Design I, 8 Credits.
• Construction Technology 1B, 24 Credits.

Level 6, 136 Credits

• Project Management, 8 Credits.
• Sociology and Society, 8 Credits.
• Architectural Design 2, 24 Credits.
• Construction Technology 2, 24 Credits.
• History &Theory of Design, 8 Credits.
• Landscaping & Site Survey, 8 Credits.
• Urban Settlements, 8 Credits.
• Work Based Project, 32 Credits.
• Research Methods, 8 Credits.
• Principles of Commercial Law, 8 Credits.

Level 7,124 Credits

• Construction Technology 3, 24 Credits.
• Architectural Design 3, 24 Credits.
• History & Theory of Design 3A, 8 Credits.
• Law of Building Contracts, 8 Credits.
• Property and Land Economics, 8 Credits.
• Major Integrated Project, 32 Credits.
• Professional Practice 3, 12 Credits.
• History & Theory of Design 3B, 8 Credits.

1. Identify and respond to contextual and environmental design imperatives and use historical and theoretical positions and precedents in conceptualising building designs of limited complexity, as defined by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP).
2. Respond to programmatic requirements and apply architectural design processes and principles creatively in the design of limited complexity building, as defined by SACAP.
3. Solve design problems and develop design proposals for limited complexity buildings into detailed contract documentation and assembly details that comply with accepted professional standards and statutory regulations.
4. Select and incorporate appropriate structural systems, construction methods, materials, building services and systems into the design of limited complexity buildings in consultation with various built environment and other professions (where appropriate).
5. Apply architectural office management practices and procedures, using standard professional documents, guidelines, legal and ethical prescriptions.
6. Use professional computer programmes for the production of industry related and relevant standard documentation.

The following Assessment Criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Apply and evaluate the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of the main areas of the architectural discipline.
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of an area or areas of specialisation in the architectural discipline and how that knowledge relates to other built environment and related disciplines or practices through explanations, descriptions and/or any other documentation.
• Develop and communicate own ideas and opinions relating to the architectural discipline and broader development arena in well-formed arguments, using appropriate academic, professional or occupational discourse.
• Apply a range of methods of enquiry suitable to the architectural discipline to successfully solve problems or introduce change within a practice.
• Identify, analyse and critically reflect on and address architecturally related problems by applying evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
• Make and apply decisions ethically and professionally and justify these decisions and actions by drawing from appropriate ethical values and approaches.
• Develop and apply appropriate processes of information gathering for a given context or use in relation to the architectural discipline.
• Independently evaluate and validate information sources and manage the relevant information.
• Manage processes in unfamiliar and variable contexts and demonstrate an understanding of architecturally based problem-solving is contextual and system-bounded and does not occur in isolation.

Integrated Assessment

The institution uses an appropriate variety of assessment methods in this qualification. This variety of assessment methods helps to increase assessment opportunities and encourage academic success of the learners. It also provides the opportunity for all learners to excel in one or more methods of assessment creating a culture of success. From the second year the Institution encourages integration of themes from the different modules which also include integration of principles into clinical practice. These practices also ensure reliability and validity in assessment.