University of Westminster VS University of Reading
Welcome to the first of many posts where we will be looking at what studying architecture is like between the University of Westminster and a different university. We’ll call this series University VS University. In today’s post, Me (Sude) and Andre will be answering questions for you guys to get an insight into how architecture can be taught differently by comparing the University of Westminster and the University of Reading.
Q1: Brief introduction about yourselves.
Sude: Hello everyone! My name is Sude and I am a BA Architecture student studying at the University of Westminster. I’ve just finished my first year and hopefully will be moving onto second year in September. I live in London and will be staying with my parents during my 3 year undergrad. I took Mathematics, Fine Art and Sociology for A-levels.
Andre: My name is Andre Deen-Swaray and I study at the University of Reading, Reading being the place of my temporary accommodation also. For A-levels I studied History, Geography, Chemistry and Spanish. I don’t wish that upon my worst enemy.
Q2: If you could summarise the first year of architecture in three words, what would they be and why?
Sude: Fast-paced. Enlightening. Fun. At the University of Westminster, your first semester represents a transitional phase from your sixth form/college period into architecture. The briefs you are given tend to be introductions to the basics of architecture. Since there is limited time, these introductions are quite fast-paced, and the skills learnt are usually improved beyond the first semester. The closest experience I had to a designing process was during Fine Art A-level which is nothing compared to an architecture degree. I think if you are not passionate about architecture it’ll be hard to obtain a fun year. It is a huge commitment.
Andre: Enriching. Thrilling. Tough. These words perfectly describe how architecture is never what you expect it to be. There is great satisfaction in learning whilst you’re carrying out a project. Yet many challenges arise because of this. Your knowledge of the world is not only challenged by your skill to be able to problem solve but to challenge yourself to think bigger and to sharpen your vision and purpose.
Q3: Could you rundown the modules you studied in the first year?
Sude: In total, I was assessed in 7 different modules. In the first semester, you are introduced to your first Design Module, Digital Skills Module (Adobe Suite: InDesign, Photoshop), History Module, Sketchbook Studies Module and Technical Studies. In semester 2, you continue with the History Module, Technical Studies Module and Digital Skills Module (Adobe Illustrator, Vectorworks) and are introduced to your final Design module as well as a Material Studies Module.
Andre:
Visualisation and Communication – module where various means of communicating our architectural/artistic ideas are taught
Construction Technology – learning about the fundamental materials which building use across the world throughout the centuries
History and Theory – learning about the history of architecture but also the ideas and philosophies behind the power and influence of architecture in society
Industry and Practice – this module educates us about the construction industry as a whole and the role each discipline plays
Introduction to Studio/An introduction to site – the studio modules which allow us to explore and experiment ideas whilst fulfilling a set brief. It’s the most time consuming module but arguably the most important
Q4: How are you assessed in the modules you mentioned above?
Sude: I hope this doesn’t end up being very confusing so I’ll try to be as clear as possible. I’d like to start by saying BA Architecture is a 100% coursework degree at Westminster hence why there will be no mentioning of paper exams. Our first Design Module is a 25 page portfolio submission which includes 5 different briefs. The second Design Module is also a 25 page portfolio submission consisting of your final brief for the year. For Digital Skills, we have two digital submissions. The Digital Skills tasks set in the first semester is submitted at the start of the second semester. The second set of Digital Skills tasks are submitted soon after the second semester ends. Similar to Digital Skills, there are two digital submissions for the History Module. These consist of a workbook made up of 6 exercises and a 1500 word essay. The workbook is introduced in semester 1. The essay is introduced in semester 2. Sketchbook Studies is a module we submit alongside our first design module. The end result is a sketchbook with responses to 6 workshops. You are also able to contain additional sketches and work relevant to the tasks.
During the first semester, your Technical Studies module is a set of compulsory lectures. In the second semester, you are given a brief which sets students the task to build a tower in pairs that’ll be able to support an orange. Alongside a physical tower, a set of orthographic and technical drawings and finally a page displaying all the work completed. Lastly, Material Studies is a module you start midway through your final brief in the second semester. Due to the current pandemic going on (COVID-19), the deliverables for this module have been changed to comply with the situation. Originally, the deliverables were a set of A3 pages consisting of experimentations that focus on a specific material of your choice. However, we were advised to digitally submit a set of pages showing research into our chosen material. A bit of a lengthy answer but I hope it’s a good breakdown for those interested.
Andre: In visualisation and Communication (V+C) due to this being a module where we are taught how to communicate our ideas. We are asked to produce a piece of work each week according to what we learnt in the lecture. We are tested on the detail and the willingness to go further with our designs. In Construction and Technology, we are asked to complete an ‘Architecture Diary’. We learn about a material in each weekly lecture where we then have to complete an analysis (including construction drawings) of how the material is used in a building which relates to a material learnt. This is completed weekly. We are also asked to complete a case study of a given building to research and discuss its origin, use and purpose of materiality also. We are mainly assessed on how well we discuss the use of the materiality and its use in context.
In History and Theory, we were given 2 essays to complete and a group project. For example my building was Red House by Phillip Webb. The first essay was short and allowed us to carry out in depth research and focus on a particular theme that we were interested in. Next was the group work project where we delivered a group presentation on a building according to the title that we came up with; “Red House and the British Vernacular”. Lastly the main essay was also based on the same building, in which we chose the title “ Red House and Quintessence of the development Arts and Craft movement”. What was significant about this module was the freedom to argue your case through analysing this building. In Industry and Practice we were asked to complete a comprehensive report on one of the 5 themes which were covered during the lecture. The themes highlighted all aspects of the construction and which one we believed to have the most significant. We’re assessed on how well we discuss and analyse the topic whilst showing our understanding on it also.
Last but not least, Studio. Every architecture student can relate in knowing this is the most heavy yet intense module but for me it is also the most rewarding. There were two projects, the first one being where we had to design a structure out of cardboard based on what we thought was an important aspect of the town. This was to be used to interact with the public also. For example my group and I focused on nature overcoming the man built environment around it and its significance on the people around it. The second project was based on designing a building on a small island where it has to use the water surrounding it in some way according to your chosen theme. For example, I used water as a way of healing people who have been affected by violence in the past. These projects are assessed on the originality, clarity and presentation of our ideas. Our work, drawings, renders, model making, and research is also thoroughly assessed.
Q5: Talking about submissions, how many opportunities are you given by your university to resubmit for all your modules?
Sude: When it comes to our design modules, we are lucky to have many opportunities along the year to resubmit. The University of Westminster is very keen on doing whatever they can to get all their students to progress in their studies. Since our design modules are the main focus, we are given many opportunities to resubmit. When it comes to History, Technical Studies and Material Studies, these are one-off submissions. You can get feedback from your assigned tutors between the set date and the deadline although no resubmitting is offered. Digital skills offer a resubmission only for the first semester work. You can resubmit your first semester tasks alongside the second semester tasks if you have improved your work. Similarly, Sketchbook Studies can be resubmitted alongside your final brief submission. At the end of the year, if you are still failing a module, you have an opportunity to improve your work for a FINAL deadline in July. All in all, you are given many chances to improve your results throughout the year.
Andre: We are given one opportunity to resubmit our work, which is not often used due to the system checking our work for plagiarism a day after submission. Therefore if we deemed it necessary to resubmit we would have to originally submit our work a few days earlier than the submission date.
Q6: How often did you find yourself at university?
Sude: If I’m honest, way too much. I’m afraid to say that only coming in for your timetabled hours won’t cut it. I found myself coming in earlier to my scheduled periods to do some more work. I also found myself staying at the university after my lectures/design days were over. Some may not be happy to hear this but I was coming in on the weekends pretty often during the year too. I would suggest that upcoming students should practise time management and organisation. As the year progressed, I can say I was managing my time better than I was in Semester 1. This also meant I had found time to commit to things outside of my degree. Also, there were many times where being at university for too long was a good thing. I was going through my stressful moments with my friends hence the supportive environment being a great motivation.
Andre: At university I had to pace myself, because there is so much to do whether it was a society or just socialising. It was incredibly tiring at first, especially for architecture students. Perhaps because the world and the amount of detail that was required came as a shock and required a lot of our time at uni in comparison to the other subjects where those students had more free time. So, time management became vital as the year advanced.
Q7: On a more interesting note, in your first year of studying architecture how many outings/field trips take place?
Sude: Our university does offer all the things mentioned in the brackets above. When it comes to the first year of the architecture degree specifically, there are only site visits. These site visits usually occur for our Design Modules as well as our History Modules. For the Design Modules when you are introduced to your brief, if a site is relevant to that brief, you will most likely visit your site/sites along with your design group. During these design modules, you are very likely to return to your site to complete a deliverable called ‘site analysis’. For the History Modules, I mentioned earlier that you complete a workbook in the first semester. Some things in the workbook need you to visit areas in London for them to be completed. This isn’t to say that you cannot go on abroad trips during the first year. Our university facilitates abroad trips throughout academic years which are open to everyone from any degree and any year group. These trips are not related to your degree but aim to introduce students to different cultures and backgrounds around the world. You can find out more about these trips under the “Westminster Working Cultures” section on the University of Westminster website. I also know and have applied to an exchange abroad program that takes place in the second semester of our second academic year. The options consisted of universities in Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. These could be subject to change due to the pandemic but were the options offered for our year group.
Andre: In total we went on 3 trips. Due to readings insurance policy the trip to Amsterdam couldn’t commence as it was too expensive for students. However, we went on a trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum, Serpentine Gallery and the Design Museum in one day. We visited ACG Architects and I also participated in the Tate Exchange. At the beginning of the year we took many trips to analyse the sites we wanted to use in our studio projects.
Q8: Was there something that your university focussed on when teaching architecture?
Sude: A running theme during our design days was the focus my tutors put on acing hand-drawn orthographic’s. Even though nowadays many firms draw their orthographic’s digitally, it’s still a valuable skill to nail hand-drawn orthographic’s. This is why during the first semester studying architecture at Westminster, it is compulsory to produce a set of hand-drawn orthographic’s. It’s very simple to jump to AutoCAD or Vectorworks but these programs and technologies will not be available to you all the time during briefings with a client for example, when on site. Even though during design development a final building would not be determined, my tutors would encourage us to draw orthographic’s of our concept models to introduce the idea of space and scale early on.
Andre: University of Reading emphasises sustainability and climate change in all of our modules which for us is very important as the world we are in needs new solutions and innovations to be able to withstand the effects of climate change.
Q9: Does failing in one module affect your study next year?
Sude: With the University of Westminster you need to obtain a 40% minimum result in every single module to move onto the next academic year. I think this is the reason why our architecture department gives us multiple opportunities to resubmit for most modules. Even if a student has passed through overall marks if they failed a single module, they will need to retake that module the next year. Sounds harsh but it is definitely for our good. This ensures that everyone moving onto the next year has a basic understanding of everything that was taught in the first year of architecture.
Andre: If someone fails a module, they cannot commence the following year. We are given the option and time during the summer to retake a failed module.
Q10: Could you give a rundown of your weekly timetable?
Sude: So out of the 5 weekdays, on 4 of those days I had compulsory periods to attend. On Mondays was a design day from 10:30 am till 4:30 pm including a slot for lunch. The given lunchtime can vary depending on your design tutors. It’s very relaxed. On Tuesdays is a history lecture at 2:00 pm. After these lectures, fortnightly you will meet with your history tutor to discuss work. Depending on your tutor slot, you could be there until 5:30 pm. For first year students studying BA Architecture, Wednesdays were our off days. Make sure to enjoy it. Another module you are taught fortnightly is Sketchbook Studies. Sketchbook Studies takes place at 10:00 am on Thursdays. You’ll also have a Technical Studies lecture at 2:00 pm. Fridays are your last design days. Same times as Mondays. The digital skills module is taught every... When you do have Digital Skills lectures, they’ll be at 9:00 am up until your design day starts.
Andre: On Mondays we would have our Visualisation and Communication lecture from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Tuesdays we would have our History and Theory lecture which would be from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. For Wednesdays Construction and Technology was from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Thursdays were our studio days which lasted from 10:30 am until 5:30 pm. On Fridays we had our Industry and Practice module which was from 1:30 pm up until 4:00/4:30 pm with a break.
Q11: What software were you introduced/taught in your first year of studying architecture?
Sude: In the first semester we are introduced to Adobe Suite through our digital skills module. You cover InDesign and Photoshop in the first semester then Illustrator in the second semester. Alongside Illustrator in the second semester, you are introduced and taught how to use Vectorworks. Vectorworks is a program used to draw orthographic drawings digitally.
Andre: We were briefly taught Adobe Photoshop and InDesign and had lessons for AutoCAD and SketchUp. We had to teach ourselves anything else which we wanted to know.
Q12: What facilities are there on campus specifically for architecture students to use?
Sude: We have multiple things dedicated to architecture students. The main service that the University of Westminster offers to us architecture students is our Fabrication Lab. This is the name given to the floor which contains all our machinery and equipment used by architecture students. From AR/VR areas to bandsaws to 3D printers. You name it, we have it all! It’s an amazing investment made by the university. We have our own materials shop too so need to worry about ordering all your basic materials for model making. You are suggested by the workers in the Fabrication Lab to buy materials from the university’s shop since we know all the materials bought from there are compatible with all the machines. Our Marylebone campus dedicates its fourth and fifth floors to studio spaces specifically for architecture and similar degree students. The third floor of our library is where all the architecture books/journals are located.
Andre: We are on the arts campus, ranging from literature to drama and fine arts. So we have our own building with various studio rooms and a printer room and storage facilities. The workshop is a 30 second walk away although it is not available for first year architecture students. I don’t even know why. Many computers are available depending on the time of day with all the software we need on them.
Q13: How much was up to you during the first year of architecture? How much guidance is given when designing?
Sude: I’ll be referring to specifically the design modules for this question. Students get up to a lot of research in order to gain an understanding of their client. For these stages, the design tutors tend to let us know about what else could be researched and give us questions to consider on our research pages. Plus, answers to any questions you have. During the design process, the tutors were there to prompt us in our concept development. The aim is to get you out of your comfort zone and experiment as much as possible.
Andre: We were given a lot of freedom in the studio specifically in terms of finding our methods and style of communication, with considerate and detailed guidance from other mentors and peers also. However, in the other modules clear instructions are given to follow and we have the freedom to do what we feel is necessary to add something special to what we’re doing.
Q14: Do you have any suggestions for students who might be interested in studying architecture?
Sude: I would say that students should do thorough research before they settle on studying architecture. It’s not a degree which you can get by doing with minimal passion and dedication. I can see why people may drop out of architecture at the beginning of the academic year. It can be very draining especially when you are studying half-heartedly. I suggest attending open days at your desired universities and really engaging in the lifestyle that the universities are offering for their architecture students. Studying architecture, if you’re 100% sure, shouldn’t feel like studying a degree but more of a discovery journey into a field of work which you have a large interest towards. Similar to how adults say, “if you like your job, it shouldn’t feel like work”. I also think those who are interested in architecture should opt for online resources such as masterclasses, documentaries, architecture YouTube channels. Some of our suggestions are: Frank Ghery’s masterclass, To-Scale, SuccessfulArchiStudent (YouTube) and Thomas Rowntree (YouTube).
Andre: Advice is to learn good time management it will help a lot. Also be keen to be open to new ways of expression through and be open to a lot of criticism. The number of hours I’ll spend on a piece of work and I’ll be asked to improve it or perhaps redo it. This is not a place to boast or be arrogant you must use every opportunity you have to learn even if it makes your blood boil.
Q15: Examples of Work from both universities.
Sude: Follow me at @arkitek.ting and you’ll find all my work produced in the first year + more.
Andre: Follow me at @_dre_dreams_
Andre and I hope that this post has given you an insight on how universities may teach architecture differently to one another. For those of you who are sixth form students who may be applying to studying architecture next year, we hope this post may have uncovered differences that you may have been questioning. Come back next week at 6:00pm on Friday for a new post! Any questions/suggestions, please get in touch through our Instagram @archidabble or our email dabbleenquiries@gmail.com
See you next week!
