1.0  INTRODUCTION

 

Students of the Bachelor of Architecture (Part 2) are to undertake Design Thesis course at the final year of the programme. The assessment will be conducted in two semesters (ARC 4911 Architecture Dissertation 1and Studio ARC 4002 in SEMESTER 3 and ARC 4912 Architecture Dissertation 2 and ARC 4003 in SEMESTER 4). Students need to obtain a minimum pass (C grade) in order to proceed to the next level.

 

This thesis project is seen as the culmination of the students’ formal architectural education and training through a comprehensive student generated and faculty supervised design project. The design thesis project provides opportunity for students to pursue their own interest and chose their own topic of design project. The subject and depth of study for the Architecture Dissertation course should be suited to enable submission of a coherent design work befitted for a professional and master degree level.

 

Students are encouraged to choose topics from real-life projects based on real needs while at the same time allow them to be innovated and explore new ideas. A hypothetical project may be accepted if it’s content and complexity are deemed sufficient to be demonstrate the students’ competency as stipulated in the Design Thesis course outcomes.

 

2.0  DESIGN THESIS DEFINITION AND SCOPE

 

A design thesis is a design project chosen by the student that is taken through a comprehensive design process and understanding from design investigation to design assembly and to be developed within two semesters of study. The project should contain an architectural inquiry or theoretical premise (unifying idea) to serve as a guide during the design process. The theoretical premise or unifying idea is to be presented as a thesis statement that clarifies architectural issues that the project is to address. This will assure that the design is pursued in a scholarly manner. With the aim of contributing towards extending the current body of knowledge. Hence the final product of the Architecture Dissertation should demonstrate competency in research. Design and the assembly of architectural elements.

 

As the final submission, the process and the outcomes are to be carefully documented in the form of a Design Thesis Report. The hardbound repot will form an integral component of the final submission and assessment for and ARC 4912 Architecture Dissertation 2 in SEMESTER 4). It is however crucial to highlight that the preparation of the and ARC 4912 Architecture Dissertation 2 in SEMESTER 4)to be undertaken as an ongoing process, whereby written drafts are to be submitted progressively according to the stages of design crits/review at both semesters.

 

ARC 4002, Credit hour: 6 (0+6)

Preliminary proposal state:

Preparation of statement of intent or synopsis of the design thesis/project for evaluation and approval by the department. Essentially this short report shall introduce; 1) the background of theh proposal, 2) the thesis/projkect statement ( theoritical premise/ unifying idea) that clarifies issues to be addressd , and 3) the programe statement that outline the project brief in terms of inintial programming, proposed client, and projet site, and 4) identifuication of precedents in suport of teh thesis project proposal.

Assessement: submission of one or more writen proposal to be presented for approval by the Thesis Approving Cimmittee,. Theproposal will be assessed based on teh significance of the thesis topic , the complexity of teh p[roposed project, and the depth of inquiry.

 

At the end of the course, student should be able to:

• Critically evaluate various design parameters that determine an architectural project proposal including client and user needs, inventory of space requirements, site selection criteria, site conditions, bye laws and standards, and precedent studies to derive a design brief for an architectural project

• Develop a design project until completion of preliminary design stage, trough the process of synthesizing of ideas derived from theories and contemporary issues.

Argue and effectively communicate design ideas through various architectural communication modes, including written report, verbal presentation, architectural graphics and models.

 

ARC 4003, Credit hour: 8 (0+8)

A the end of the course , students should be able to;

• Develop and resolve an architectural design proposal, incorporating technical provision and needs of other consultants.

• Argue and effectively communicate modes, including written report, verbal presentation, architectural graphics and models.

• Conclude the design thesis into the holistic solution and produce design portfolio & report.