Diploma: Architecture

Purpose

The purpose of the Diploma: Architecture is to develop learners' attitudes and understanding that result in the production of architecture of the highest quality. The qualification aims to produce learners with a balanced range of core skills who are expected to engage with both practical and intellectual agendas.

The purpose is achieved by providing the learners with knowledge, skills and judgment to enable them to contribute responsibly to the quality of the built environment and to the general advancement of architecture through a career within the architectural profession. Furthermore, the learner should develop a systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems relevant to the profession of architecture. The qualification encourages a questioning and receptive attitude which enables learners to construct an informed theoretical and ethical position in relation to architectural design and its appropriate relationship to a wider social, cultural and environmental context.

The qualification should develop learners with advanced skills in architectural design and enable them to develop specialist knowledge and skills in related subject areas and introduce them to a wide range of key and transferable skills with an emphasis on creativity, adaptability, independent thinking, constructive and creative dialogue with others, ingenuity and originality in problem solving and the effective exposition of ideas.

Lastly, the qualification should encourage self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems and promote an independent and research-led attitude to learning.

Rationale

The Diploma: Architecture offers learners an exciting platform to explore and experiment with architectural design. The qualification is fully integrated with course assessment and offers learning opportunities in architectural design and technology within the regional and global context. Learners are exposed to design primers and year-long projects.

The qualification aims to create architects who are well prepared for a subsequent career in the architectural profession. The qualification aims to entails both the development of a core range of key skills and also engagement with some of the diverse specialist skills and knowledge that are often required for modern architectural practice.

This qualification is an entry level qualification that addresses all the knowledge fields in Architecture. It focuses on technological design development and documentation and prepares learners for further study and employment to practice as candidate Architectural Technologists.

The learner is assumed to be familiar with the architectural environment either through his/her employment in such an environment or through the successful completion of an appropriate qualification at NQF Level 4.

Competence in Mathematics, Accounting and English equivalent to NQF Level 4 is expected.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning can be used to award learners with credits which include formal, informal and non-formal learning and workplace experience, in terms of the criteria laid out.

Access to the Qualification

Access to the Diploma: Architecture is granted to applicants who meet the minimum entrance requirements or who follow the available alternative route of entry. Applicants who are in possession of:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC), granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• A National Certificate Vocational (NCV), at NQF Level 4.
• A foreign qualification that is equivalent to the NSC as determined by SAQA.
• Any Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC) at NQF Level 4.
• Learners who have successfully completed Engineering Graphics and Design or Mechanical Technology.

All modules are compulsory

Modules at NQF Level 5

• Architectural Design 1, 20 Credits.
• Architectural Technology and Detailing 1, 44 Credits.
• History and Theory of Architecture 1, 12 Credits.
• Interdisciplinary Design and Presentation 1, 16 Credits.
• Computers in Architecture 1, 12 Credits.
• Communication in Architecture 1, 8 Credits.
• Architectural Practice 1, 8 Credits.

Total Credits NQF Level 5 = 120

Modules at NQF Level 6

• Architectural Technology and Detailing 2, 32 Credits.
• History and Theory of Architecture 2, 12 Credits.
• Architectural Design 2, 20 Credits.
• Interdisciplinary Design 2, 8 Credits.
• Computers in Architecture 2, 8 Credits.
• Sustainable Design 2, 8 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning 2, 32 Credits.

Total Credits NQF Level 6 = 120.

Modules at NQF Level 7

• Architectural Design 3, 24 Credits.
• Architectural Technology and detailing 3, 28 Credits.
• Interdisciplinary Design 3, 8 Credits.
• History and Theory of Architecture 3, 12 Credits.
• Computers in Architecture 3, 8 Credits.
• Architectural Practice 3, 8 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning 3, 32 Credits.

Total Credits NQF Level 7 = 120

Total Credits = 360.

1. Identify and take cognisance of contextual and environmental imperatives and use historical and theoretical precedents in the technological design development and documentation of uncomplicated buildings, as defined by South African Council for Architectural Profession (SACAP).
2. Apply architectural design processes and principles creatively in designing construction details for uncomplicated buildings, as defined by SACAP.
3. Select and incorporate appropriate structural systems, construction methods, materials, building services and systems for uncomplicated buildings in consultation with various other professions (where appropriate).
4. Apply professional architectural office management practices and procedures within the framework of standard professional documents, guidelines, legal and ethical prescriptions.
5. Use professional standard computer programmes for and solve problems pertaining to the production of standard documentation.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in the qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Describe architecture as a manifestation of beliefs existing in particular communities at a specific time.
• Develop a vocabulary of architecture through investigation of architectures of different cultures, beliefs, places and historical periods.
• Discuss the principles of architectural cultures and identify the differences between cultures.
• Describe and apply the elements and principles to show an appreciation of architecture.
• Identify the structures, technology and history of the Architectural profession.
• Describe environmental influences on architecture.
• Analyse buildings and their physical and cultural environments.
• Develop a vocabulary for design.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Describe and discuss the construction process of a building.
• Discuss relevant documentation for a complex process.
• Research architectural administration procedures.
• Assess the importance of computer applications in the architectural industry.
• Research the legal and ethical aspects of architectural practice.
• Resolve a range of technological design considerations at an appropriate level for a Candidate Professional Architectural Draughts person.
• Research the relationship between the natural and the built environment.
• Use actual building experience to explain building processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Analyse the loads relevant to a variety of structural types.
• Explain the principles of structural behaviour.
• Use diagrams to analyse and illustrate how various loads are distributed throughout a given structure.
• Present an overview of the materials used to make structures.
• Understand the implication of structural grids.
• Design an appropriate framed structure to suit the application.
• Compile relevant information regarding physical conditions on the site.
• Record site conditions.
• Assess site-specific conditions and their influence on building type.
• Research the methods and mechanical equipment required for the creation of the formation level.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Describe and discuss legislation relevant to the practice of architecture.
• Range: Built Environment Act 43 of 2000; Architectural Professions Act 44 of 2000; SACAP regulations regarding Reservation of Work for Architects.
• Write a report on the central concepts of managing an architectural practice.

> Range: Record keeping; Time control; Staff management; Fee structures and schedules; Client-architect agreement.

• Outline the basic elements of the JBCC contract and state its significance within the architectural field.
• Discuss the application of Principal Building Agreement and the Minor Works Agreement in the building contract.
• Apply basic project management principles to a design project in the office.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate knowledge of computer technology presently in use in architectural practice.
• Apply computer technology in the execution of work.

> Range: Computer software to include web browsers and communication programs, word processing, spreadsheets, architectural drawing.

• Edit graphic and image programmes.
• Produce a set of working drawings as part of a set of contract documents of a simple building to acceptable practice standards.

Integrated Assessment

All modules will include eight summative assessment opportunities per year. Where indicated, this will include a portfolio assessment that will include a panel of at least one (three for studio-based modules) external assessor/s drawn from other universities and/or the architectural profession.

Lastly, all assessment must be comprised of both formative and summative assessments and be conducted on a continuous basis throughout the learning experience. Both types of assessment are therefore integral components of all the modules within the Qualification.