Architectural Design: Historical, Cultural and Theoretical Skills
Program Overview
Architectural Design: Historical, Cultural and Theoretical Skills (BARC0056)
Key Information
- Faculty: UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment
- Teaching department: Bartlett School of Architecture
- Credit value: 15
- Restrictions: This module is only available to students on the MArch Architectural Design programme.
Alternative Credit Options
There are no alternative credit options available for this module.
Description
Module Description BARC0056 Historical, Cultural and Theoretical Skills is a module that spans over two terms (Term 1 and 2). This module has been established to ensure that students can write at Masters level and can analyse texts to a sufficient depth as to establish relevant content for their individual programme of study. The vehicle for this is an introduction to key architectural design theoretical concepts so that these can be taken forward in Terms 2 and 3. These concepts are varied but specific to the cluster's research for that year, and a list of relevant texts for the research cluster's design agenda is provided to students by each cluster.
The module gives students an introduction to the skills required to undertake a theoretical, cultural and historical study at postgraduate level into the issues that underpin the study of architectural design, and to introduce them to appropriate lines of investigation. The development of the literature review is informed by science, cultural theory, technology, architectural history, philosophy and relates this to their research cluster's design agenda.
The Literature Review, as the submission for the Historical, Cultural and Theoretical Skills module, enables students to demonstrate that they understand the key concepts, theory, history/histories and contemporary positions that are related to their design investigations, and supports them in testing their relevance rigorously in terms of the importance of these concepts, ideas and theories through writing. The main submission for this module is a Literature Review that retains autonomy from the design project, but supports students in critically developing concepts that push their initial design investigations further.
The Historical, Cultural and Theoretical Skills module is a seminar and tutorial based module that demonstrates knowledge of the theoretical and historical issues that underpin a study of architectural design, and an understanding of the skills required to undertake a theoretical and historical study at postgraduate level — specifically: how to undertake a literature search, how to construct an appropriate bibliography and how to write a literature survey with a reasonable level of competence in academic written English.
Teaching Delivery This component of the module is delivered through two main activities: seminars and individual tutorials. The module begins with introductory seminars in Term 1. These seminars are given by the student's research cluster theory tutor. The theory tutor presents the research cluster reading list. An individual research topic is set for every student and this forms the basis of the literature review.
The cluster theory tutor gives individual tutorials and a 1,000 word draft essay of the Literature Review is submitted by the student in Term 1. After feedback on the draft submission, a 1,500–2,500 word essay of the Literature Review is submitted at the start of Term 2.
The feedback from the Literature Review orientates students further towards meaningful research questions regarding their design work as it continues to progress during Terms 1 and 2, as well as in their work for BARC0057 Design Thesis Report in Terms 2 and 3.
The seminars and tutorials assist students to develop more critical positions and to develop further the skills required to undertake a theoretical and historical study at postgraduate level.
Indicative Topics
- Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Design
- Augmented (Multi) Materialities
- Living Architecture: AI and Autonomous Architecture
- Bio-Spatial Assemblies
- Architecture and Ecology
- Materialism
- Automation in Architecture
Module Aims and/or Objectives
The module will give students an introduction to the skills required to undertake a theoretical, cultural and historical study at postgraduate level into the issues that underpin the study of architectural design, and to introduce them to appropriate lines of investigation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:
- Knowledge of the theoretical and historical issues that underpin the study of architectural design.
- Understanding of the skills required to undertake a theoretical and historical study at postgraduate level, specifically how to undertake a literature search and how to construct an appropriate bibliography.
- An ability to write a literature survey with a reasonable level of competence in academic written English.
Outline Timetable and Feedback Points
The module is taught in Term 1 through seminars and weekly tutorials. Tutors are allocated to individual clusters. Students submit their essay at the commencement of Term 2 for formative marking. Students resubmit their essay for summative marking, which takes place prior to the exam board. Dates will be confirmed at the commencement of the academic year.
Submission Requirements
A 1,500–2,500 word written essay with a bibliography and illustrations where appropriate. The paper must refer to the texts that the student has been asked to consider.
Assessment Criteria
The student must demonstrate:
- Knowledge of the theoretical and historical issues that underpin a study of architectural design.
- Understanding of the skills required to undertake a theoretical and historical study at postgraduate level, specifically:
- How to undertake a literature search.
- How to construct an appropriate bibliography.
- How to write a literature survey with a reasonable level of competence in academic written English.
Recommended Readings
Specific to each Research Cluster. A reading list is provided by each Research Cluster.
Recommended Software / Platforms
All software used in this module is either open-source, or available to students from UCL's software repository at no cost.
Additional Costs
The use of a personal laptop is strongly recommended. While computer clusters at UCL can be used by students, having a personal laptop (Mac or Windows) would be highly beneficial.
Module Deliveries for 2026/27 Academic Year
Intended Teaching Term: Term 1, Postgraduate (FHEQ Level 7)
Teaching and Assessment
- Mode of study: In person
- Methods of assessment: 100% Coursework
- Mark scheme: Numeric Marks
Other Information
- Number of students on module in previous year: 114
- Module leader: Miss Mollie Claypool
Intended Teaching Term: Term 1, Undergraduate (FHEQ Level 7)
Teaching and Assessment
- Mode of study: In person
- Methods of assessment: 100% Coursework
- Mark scheme: Numeric Marks
Other Information
- Number of students on module in previous year: 0
- Module leader: Miss Mollie Claypool