Postgraduate Course: Architectural Management, Practice and Law (ARJA11002)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Architectural Management, Practice and Law is a lecture-based course which which engages with emergent priorities for the architectural profession. It develops the students' understanding of the professional requirements of an architect, and awareness of the environment within which architects practice.
The course operates in a hybrid mode. It is structured around a series of live talks and discussions, supported by pre-recorded lectures, and delivered through on-campus seminars, workshops and tutorials. The lectures are presented by architects and related professionals involved in the creation of the built environment. They offer the student perspectives on a range of issues pertinent to the profession, which are to be developed with reference to key readings, explored through discussion, and reflected upon through the various coursework assignments.
|
| Course description |
In response to the RIBA's Education and Professional Development Framework, four key themes structure a series of lectures guiding the Architectural Management, Practice and Law course: Architectural Practice, Health and Life Safety, Ethics and Social Purpose, and Climate. Through these four themes, the course introduces and develops knowledge around topics such as architectural management, professionalism, practice structures, procurement, regulatory frameworks and legislation, and professional responsibilities. It asks the student to reflect on these key themes through a consolidated Course Report, combining a critical essay, exploring one of the four key structuring themes in depth, and a series of short reflections addressing the breadth of concerns impacting professional practice as framed by the course. A separate study, a 'Regulatory Drawings' exercise, explores the connection between the making of architecture and relevant legislation affecting design and construction.
The course is intended to develop the students' research literacy, awareness of the current socio-political, legislative and environmental context within which architects practice, and ability to study independently. It thus addresses both a mandatory competency expected of architects and encourages habits that will be critical to the continued professional development of the student in practice. The course is delivered through four full-day seminars, responding to live lectures, and four full-day workshops, which support the development of work for submission. Students will be expected to attend the live talks and engage with the Q&As, watch recorded lectures, read supporting articles, and prepare draft texts and outputs to support the provision of feedback.
|
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 30,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 12,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
142 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
The course is assessed through two pieces of summative coursework, designed to align with the course Learning Outcomes: a Course Report (LO1 and LO2), compiling a series of written exercises, and a pair of 'Regulatory Drawings' (LO3). Together these components constitute 100% of the grade for this course; the Course Report is worth two thirds of the overall course grade, and Regulatory Drawings exercise is worth one third of the overall course grade.
The Regulatory Drawings exercise will be completed in small groups. In line with University of Edinburgh regulations, all members of a group will receive the same mark unless there is clear evidence that the quality or extent of contributions has varied.
This course MUST BE PASSED for a student to be awarded the MArch degree. Assessment is made with reference to the ARB Part 2 criteria, which must be met in the coursework submissions.
|
| Feedback |
Written formative feedback will be issued by the Course Organiser and supporting tutors to guide the preparation of the Regulatory Drawings. Verbal feedback on the essays will be provided by the Course Organiser and supporting tutors during peer-review workshops. Summative feedback on the essay and course report will be provided within 15 working days of submission.
|
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- LO1 Discuss how matters of conduct, competency and ethics define the role of the architect as an individual, in practice, in the design and construction teams, and within society.
- LO2 Understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals and organisations in architectural practice, including project procurement, contract administration, the management of costs and risks, and practice management.
- LO3 Evaluate the influence of legal, statutory, and regulatory frameworks on the development of architectural design projects.
|
Reading List
Cayer, Aaron, Peggy Deamer, Sben Korsh, Eric Petersen, Manuel Shvartzberg (Eds.). Asymmetric Labors: The Economy of Architecture in Theory and Practice. The Architecture Lobby, 2016.
Clancy, Andrew. 'Critical Practice: Can architecture by critical?' Architectural Review, Issue 1473: Criticism (July/August, 2020): 26-30.
Foxell, Simon. Professionalism for the Built Environment. Routledge, 2019.
Harries, Karsten. The Ethical Function of Architecture. MIT Press, 1997.
Hyde, Rory. Future Practice: Conversations from the Edge of Architecture. Routledge, 2012.
Jones, Alan, Rob Hyde, Lorraine Farrelly and Singe Kongebro, eds. Defining Contemporary Professionalism: For Architects in Practice and Education. RIBA Publishing, 2019. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Through this course, students will develop:
Curiosity: The ability to ask searching questions, and adopt different perspectives in relation to debates and discussions around architecture and the profession,
Critical Thinking: Their capacity for independent thought, through the questioning of norms, practices and opinions relating to the practice of architecture, the ability to assess relevant and appropriate evidence, and understand biases within this evidence to determine the significance of what is being expressed,
Adaptivity: The ability to manage their own time and wellbeing in relation to group and individual workloads,
Reflection: An awareness of their own personal drive, motivation and determination in relation to questions concerning architecture and the profession. |
| Special Arrangements |
None |
| Study Abroad |
None |
| Keywords | Contracts,management,regulations,finance,health & safety,professionalism,professional roles |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Christopher French
Tel: (0131 6)50 2310
Email: C.A.French@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | |
|
|
University Homepage