Program Overview
The Architecture program at the Cork Centre for Architectural Education combines art, science, and technology in the design and construction of sustainable buildings and environments. Through studio-based learning, students develop skills in creativity, design, and innovation, preparing them for careers in architecture and related fields. Accredited by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, the program leads to professional registration and the legal title of "Architect."
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Architecture explores new ways of living, investigates new technologies and materials, and strives to ensure that new buildings, towns and landscapes are environmentally sustainable. It combines art, science and technology in the design and construction of buildings and their surroundings within a sociocultural context. Architects are engaged in all aspects and creating the built environment from feasibility studies, outline and detailed design, through planning, to construction and management. They are involved in projects of a diverse nature, including the design of domestic, retail, leisure, health, commercial, industrial and educational buildings, towns and urban landscapes. This challenging and engaging Architecture programme includes technology and cultural/contextual modules, and has a strong focus on learning through activities in the design studio. The Architecture degree is delivered by the Cork Centre for Architectural Education in Cork City, a collaboration between UCC and the Munster Technological University. This new, purpose-designed premises houses state-of-the-art technology with purpose-built workshop spaces where you will develop your skills in creativity, design and innovation. The Architecture programme has been designed in response to the guidelines of the UNESCO/UIA Charter for Architectural Education, the European Qualifications Directive (2005/36/ EC) relating to the Architectural Profession, and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Education Policy. Combined with the Master of Architecture, it is accredited by the RIAI. Together with two years' work experience in an architect's office and a Postgraduate Certificate in Architectural Professional Practice and Experience, this will allow you to register as a professional architect. Registration provides for legal protection of the title of "Architect", as required by the Irish Building Control Act 2007.
Outline:
The first year of study provides you with a foundation in design and the built environment, appropriate to both the discipline of architecture and associated design courses. In addition to learning drawing skills, you will become proficient in photography, modelmaking and digital representation of architecture. The following years of study will become progressively more architecturally focused whilst still allowing and encouraging experimentation and research into associated disciplines. You will participate in formal lectures and seminars, and design studio tutorials and reviews. You will also get the chance to participate in class field trips, visiting project sites, as well as study trips to Irish and other European cities.
Year 1 Modules:
- AT1001 & AT1005 Design Studio 1 & 2 (15 credits each)
- AT1003 & AT1006 Construction, Materials and Structures 1 & 2 (5 credits each)
- AT1009 & AT1010 Applied Technology Studio 1 & 2 (5 credits each)
- AT1004 & AT1008 History and Theory of Architecture (5 credits each)
Teaching:
Students participate in formal lecture and seminars, and design studio tutorials and reviews. This normally requires attendance five days per week. Much is learned from interactions with other students as well as from the academic staff and the architectural practitioner associates. Hence there is an expectation that the workstation facilities provided are made use of, between the formal series of lectures and seminars. Students will be expected to participate in class field trips, visits to project sites, and study trips to Irish and other European cities. Teaching and Learning occurs through tutorials delivered at the drawing board, and through design reviews, when all student design work is publically displayed and discussed, at the end of each design project.
Careers:
Architecture itself provides exciting and widely varied career opportunities. As a graduate you may specialise in certain types of buildings, or concentrate on a particular area such as architectural design, urban design, technology, architectural conservation, and computer-based modelling. You may work individually or as part of a team, in private practice, or in the architectural section of a commercial organisation, a government department or local authority. Our students are highly regarded in architecturebased practices and have found work with employers including 4M Group, Bjarke Ingels Group, Butler Cammoranesi Architecture, Cork City Council, De Blacam Meagher, dRMM, Eva Jiricna, (Norman) Foster and Partners, Henry J Lyons Architects, Hilson Moran Partnership Ltd, Jacobs Engineering Group, Loïc Dehaye, McCullogh Mulvin, O’Donnell Tuomey, OPW, O’Mahony Pike Architects, PM Group, Scott Tallon Walker, (Terry) Farrell, Wilson Architecture, Zaha Hadid Architects, and many more. The study of architecture provides opportunities to develop a wide range of transferable skills. Graduates of this course will have had rich experience of working in teams, working to deadlines, developing abilities in verbal and graphic communication and, most importantly, skills in creativity, design and innovation — the essential ingredients of success in the contemporary economy.
Other:
The CCAE has Erasmus links with colleges abroad including Austria, Estonia, and Italy Italy, and plans for exchanges with schools in France and Slovenia. When you successfully complete the BSc (Hons) in Architecture you will be eligible to apply to the Master of Architecture (MArch) programme (a notified award recognised under the EU Directive on Professional Qualifications). This, together with practical experience and an RIAI Certificate in Architectural Professional Practice will provide the overall education required for professional membership of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI).
