Master of Architecture (Professional)

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Architecture (Professional) is to provide minimum academic requirement towards entrance into the profession for registration as a Candidate Professional Architect. The qualifying learner will be able to demonstrate an accumulation of knowledge and skill sets for entrance into the profession. This is demonstrated through a design treatise project that demands the translation of theoretical knowledge into a physical design. The design treatise provides a platform for students to demonstrate that they have the requisite understanding, critical insight, skills and knowledge of the discourse of architecture (intellectual and technical) to begin engaging with the environment and the profession in a professional capacity.

As such the qualification provides for

• Preparation for careers in the architectural profession and the built environment and areas that potentially benefit from these skills in terms of the economy and national development plan.
• The educational base required for registration as Candidate Professional Architects who is characterised by the ability to:

> Competently handle designs of a complex multi-storey building as well as long span structures, based on parameters and constraints developed through independent scientific research, which are sensitive to issues of environment and sustainability, as well as cultural issues in a responsible, appropriate and economical manner in an urban, a sub-urban or rural context.

> Design these buildings on medium to high sensitivity sites, in terms of environmental, contextual, economic and physical constraints through the production of design and detailed design documentation; and, work independently and responsibly, applying judgement to decisions arising in the application of architectural design in the built environment.

Rationale

The Master of Architecture (Professional) is a postgraduate qualification that acts to convert the current two-year Master of Architecture (Professional) into a one year, 180 credit to comply with the new Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF) requirements. This qualification is primarily industry and built environment oriented. The built environment and its related professions are integral to South Africa's National Development Plan. The construction industry is a major contributor to wealth creation and employment, both regionally and nationally. As such, construction and architectural professionals are becoming increasingly important to government and organisations responsible for the delivery of services and infrastructure, both nationally and within the greater Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The need for architectural qualifications in South Africa has been documented in the South African Council for the Architectural Professions (SACAP) Annual Report of 2013 and Higher Education Institutions play a significant role in the provision of such qualifications. As such, this qualification will provide crucial skills and add value to existing industries and companies directly or indirectly related to the built environment and development both nationally and internationally.

Since this is an exit level stage, this qualification will provide learners with a sound knowledge base in the architectural profession and these knowledge, skills and values will enable them to register as Candidate Professional Architects.

Additionally, this qualification will provide accessibility and mobility between Honours Degrees at lower level to the advanced Doctoral degrees in Architecture. In terms of the SACAP requirements, this qualification provides a transformational route as the exit level qualification is of particular importance to the profession as it provides an articulation route for Bachelor of Architectural Honours Degree studies and through to the Doctoral qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be applied in line with the guidelines stipulated by the South African Council for the Architectural Professions (SACAP) in conjunction with the Institutional RPL Policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for access to this qualification is

• Bachelor of Architecture Honours at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture at NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Modules

• Design Treatise, 100 Credits.
• Architectural Theory, 20 Credits.
• Urban Studies, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Construction, 20 Credits.
• Professional Practice, 20 Credits.

1. Prepare and develop an appropriate design of complex building projects.
2. Critically engage with a framework of social, cultural, economic, political and ecological concerns that shaped architecture in the contemporary society.
3. Critically examine urban history, issues and processes.
4. Produce a set of working drawings as part of a set of contract documents of a complex building.
5. Apply architectural practice terminologies, basic concepts and principles to operate in the architectural environment and manage an efficient architectural business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Utilise precedent studies and architectural theoretical knowledge to demonstrate aesthetically, and environmentally sound architectural design knowledge skills.
• Utilise precedent studies and architectural theoretical knowledge to resolve complex architectural problems.
• Employ personal, as well as professional initiative and responsibilities, and present its synthesis in a logical responsible, appropriate and economical manner be it in an urban, a sub-urban or rural context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Utilise knowledge of architectural theory pertaining to forces shaping architecture at the local and the global context.
• Use of architectural history and theory based on the principles of learning from an historical precedent.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Utilise knowledge of the internal processes affecting cities, urbanism and landscape architecture.
• Demonstrate awareness of the historical formation of urban areas at global, regional and local levels.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to urban aspects when designing individual buildings.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate sound knowledge of construction methods and uses for materials related to complex multi-storey building.
• Utilise knowledge of architectural theory pertaining to design and construction technology.
• Demonstrate awareness of the built environment, in terms of precedent and how this informs the application of technology/design.
• Apply analytical research processes appropriate to design and technology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of architectural professionalism and the way the architectural profession operates in terms of government legislation.
• Examine more specifically methods dealing with the roles of professional bodies and the to the professional architect.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the management of a professional architectural office and the management principles that might be applicable to such an undertaking.

Integrated Assessment

This qualification consists of a number of modules that serve the core module: Design Treatise. These modules are lecture based and are evaluated on the basis of continuous assessment. The core module is a Design Treatise, which involves a complex architectural project shaped by the socio-cultural and ecological dynamics of a relevant architectural/design context. This project comprises a fully developed design from conceptual to the technical resolution, a presentation of the design, including drawings and models, as well as a formal report on the design. The treatise project demands the application of a spectrum of knowledge learned so far ranging from architectural theoretical understanding, design skills, technical resolution, legal and professional regulations and guidelines.

Projects are evaluated by a panel of external and internal examiners of high academic and professional standing. The marks are derived on a proportional ratio of internal and external marks.

All the modules are assessed internally by the module lecturer and thereafter externally moderated. External moderators are discipline experts selected on the basis of academic and professional standing.