SEMESTER 1
Semester 1 comprises five modules.
Technical Design Studio p7
Technical Design Studio p7 is the principal architectural technology module in Semester 1 and provides the vehicle for developing the knowledge, skills and competence of the DT105 Level 7 graduate in preparation for the final semester and award stage of the honours degree programme. It comprises the related components Studio Projects and Building Information Modelling (BIM). The module aims to develop the learner’s ability to create performance-based technical design solutions to dry assembly and complex multi cell buildings, and introduces them to their thesis subject and building, allowing them to analyse and research the proposals.
Building Technology & Structures
The Building Technology & Structures (BTS) module develops the student’s understanding of the theories, principles and application of building construction and technology and structural engineering. It provides the student with further knowledge and understanding to evaluate building technology and structural engineering in the reappraisal and development of the RPL Technical Design Project projects. It comprises the two related components Building Technology and Structures.
The module aims to develop the student’s understanding of advanced building technologies, develop a capacity to engage in structured analysis and evaluation through independent research, and engage in an informed way with other experts and specialists in the technical design process.
The module also aims to provide the student with an understanding of columns & other compression members, pre-stressed and post-tensioned concrete, retaining walls, structural frames, analysis of multi-span beams and how to estimate spacings and sizes of structural systems. It also aims to develop the student’s ability to engage in an informed way with the structural engineering consultant in the building design process.
Legislation Regulation Contracts
The Legislation Regulation Contracts (LRC) module develops the student’s knowledge of construction legislation and the role of planning & development, health & safety, building control, property legislation and the various building contracts in the building design and construction process. It comprises the five components Legal Context, Planning & Development, Health & Safety, Building Control, and Contracts.
The aim of the module is to describe the broader legislative context of the building design process and to give context to the learner’s developing understanding of construction legislation. It also introduces the student to the Irish planning system, to associated Irish conservation legislation, and to international conservation charters and conventions. It develops the learner’s understanding of the health & safety requirements of the design and construction processes and the responsibilities of the building design professional arising from this. It also aims to deepen the student’s understanding of building control and property legislation in the building design process, and their understanding of the various contracts associated with the building industry.
Procurement Coordination Cost Control
The Procurement Coordination Cost Control (PCC) module develops the student’s knowledge of the processes of building procurement, technical design coordination, and cost control. It comprises the three components Procurement, Coordination, Cost Control.
The module aims to develop the student’s knowledge of pre and post tender building procurement, the role of the technologist as technical coordinator, and the importance of cost control in the technical design process. The module aims to develop the student’s knowledge of the building industry, of the composition and operation of the design team, the roles of the architect, architectural technologist, structural engineer, mechanical & electrical engineer, quantity surveyor and other design consultants, and an ability to engage in an informed way with the design team in the building design process. The module also aims to develop the student’s knowledge of site practice and procedures, the composition and operation of the construction team, the roles of the contractor and subcontractor, and an ability to engage in an informed way with the building contractor and specialist design sub contractors in the building design and construction process. The module also aims to introduce the student to the principles of cost measurement, quantification and control and aims to develop an ability to engage in an informed way with the quantity surveyor in the building design process.
Profession Management Systems
The Profession Management Systems (PMS) module develops the student’s understanding of the role of the professional architectural technologist within the design and construction team and introduces the student to the principles and application of management and control systems in the building design process. It comprises the three components Profession, Management and Systems.
The module aims to develop the student’s understanding of the architectural technologist as a professional, and the obligation to uphold standards of professionalism, to recognise the limitations on ones knowledge and expertise and understand the extent of professional competence. The module also aims to introduce the student to the principles of project management in the building design and construction processes and financial and office management in the operation of a business. The module also aims to introduce the student to project planning and programming, to develop an ability to generate programmes and manage the production of technical design and construction information for the design and construction teams. The module also aims to introduce the student to office systems and to the function of quality assurance systems in controlling the issue of technical information and technical compliance in the building design process
