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Welsh School of Architecture

Call for Design Unit Leaders

We are inviting expressions of interest to run a design unit in the third year of our BSc Architecture (RIBA Part I), the second year of our Master of Architecture (MArch RIBA Part II) and the MA in Architectural Design (MA AD).

The units will run from October to June. We have weekly tutorials in either small groups or with individuals, allowing time and space for students to develop and test intellectual ideas through design.

BSc Architecture (RIBA Part I)

Each unit at BSc has 10-12 students and a single unit tutor. Students are required to respond to a brief which will prescribe a geographical location as well as a clear theme.

Master of Architecture (MArch RIBA Part II) and MA Architectural Design

Each unit at master's level has 9-10 students. We may consider larger units where unit leaders are keen to collaborate. There is an expectation that students would visit selected sites at least once and that a study trip may also form part of the master's units.

Outcomes

The resulting outcomes should meet the school learning outcomes that are aligned to criteria set by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) for Parts I and II respectively.

Students are required to develop a design thesis that responds to a clearly defined issue or theme, which is developed by the student and supported by their unit leader. The design thesis is a vehicle through which students will acquire important skills in research and its translation into architectural programme, form and material resolution.

Unit proposals

The school would welcome units in subject areas that relate to the school Research and Scholarship Groups, especially computational design, social or political enquiry or similar. These can include:

  • urbanism
  • energy, environment and people
  • design, construction and making
  • computational methods
  • humanities
  • heritage and conservation.

Proposals are invited from practitioners and academics who have an established record of design at a high level evidenced, for example, by completed projects in practice, past design studios, publications and/or awards. Candidates need to be able to teach design from a well-defined agenda in relation to contemporary architectural design.

The proposal should outline the issues that you plan to address in your unit and how you will address them through your brief and teaching. Some indication of the proposed site, skills such as physical modelling or computational methods, attitudes towards drawing, and processes such as engagement with communities are encouraged.

MA Architectural Design (MA AD)

MA in Architectural Design (MA AD) is a postgraduate programme which focuses on the multiple facets and relationships between design and research.

Equally, the Unit Leaders are requested to have extensive and proofed experience on these different kinds of connections between design and research.

For further information on previous years' units and on the students' final MA AD dissertations, please visit the MA AD page of the WSA online Exhibition 2021.

How to apply

The application process consists of two stages.

We ask that you submit a one-page expression of interest, which covers:

  • Aim, objectives and scope of unit: subject area, questions that might be posed within the unit, ways of working (drawn, modelled, computational, collaborative, onsite, etc.)
  • Location and resources: where will the students be working (rural, town, city, region, country, etc.). What resources might be needed to support the unit?
  • If possible, we would also ask you to consider: general timetabling, resource implications including materials costs, risk assessment (we can advise on this), site and study visits.

You should also consider methodology, skills, learning and expected outcomes.

Please indicate in your proposal where you would locate the unit: BSc (RIBA Part I), MArch (Part RIBA Part II) or MA AD. We reserve the right to suggest alternatives.

You are also asked to submit a CV including examples of original design work and/or previous architectural teaching.

Please use the below link to submit your expression of interest and follow the guidance in the form on how to submit your CV and proposal.

Express your interest by filling out this form.

First deadline: 20 April 2022

Extended deadline: 8 May 2022

We will get in touch to let you know the outcome.