University of Westminster BA Designing Cites

Construction and Environmental Design

4URDE001W

CW2 Portfolio
Looking at specific issues in the making of built environments.

Briefing note 2
Purpose
It is to clearly demonstrate your understanding of the impacts of different construction
techniques and approaches to environmental design.
Content
The portfolio will comprise 4 separate sections, each with a specific theme.

Themes are
1. Buildings and environmental performance – how the building creates an internal
environment that is appropriate for the uses it accommodates. The need to
manage the internal environment may impose many constants on choices
around how the building is made. In this task you will looking at the performance
of a building to create a specific internal environment.
2. Building materials – in most cases there are a number of building materials that may
perform similar functions. The choice of one material over another is part of a
complex decision making process in the design of a building. In this task you will
be looking at the differing properties of common materials and why they might be
chosen
3. Building structures – while creating a special internal environment is key the most
important function of any building is to be safe and secure. Nothing more
important than to stand up, to physically support itself and the occupants. In this
section we will look at basic building structure, why and how buildings resist the
forces of nature. Part of this task will be experimental.
4. Case study – In this task you will take an individual building and look at the way it is
designed; how it creates and internal environment, the materials it made from
and how it stands up.

In each of these you are tasked to undertake research and to report. In some cases this will
be done in teams and in other individually. The final task is designed to enable you to
combine insights gained in earlier studies. You activities will be supported by lectures and
workshops and site visits.

Format
The format of the portfolio is up to you but should be agreed in advance with the tutor in one
of the 9 am tutorial sessions. It is this likely to be a series of pdf or Powerpoint documents
each covering one theme. These will be assembled and submitted together. However you
are well advised to prepare and develop these in tern as the semester progresses and to
discuss with tutor as they progress.

The final document will need to be submitted on line.

Assessment criteria
In assessing you work we will be looking for evidence of the following;
• Evidence of having engaged with the topic in a systematic way
• A broad range of appropriate source material
• A coherent analysis of research
• Concise and effective summary of findings
• Clear presentation
• Use of useful examples and illustrations.
• Active and supportive cooperation in group projects where appropriate
• Evidence of critical refection.

Submission
The portfolio will be submitted on line. You can choose the format however PDF is
recommended. If you are unclear about how to submit please discuss in advance at drop in
tutorials.
 University of Westminster BA Designing Cites

Construction and Environmental Design

4URDE001W

CW2 Portfolio
Looking at specific issues in the making of environments.

Briefing note 2D
Case Study
In this task you will take an individual building and look at the way it is designed; how it
creates and internal environment, the materials it made from and how it stands up.

Using a case study explore the following issues and illustrate task below. The case study
should be a building that you can research and find sufficient information on to describe and
discuss. It is recommend that you choose a residential building but you don’t have to. You
are invited to choose a building that demonstrates aspects of its performance in the
expression of the building. You can choose one from Bills list or select you own but Bill must
approve.

1 Introduction
• Description of the building
• The name of the building,
• Location and year of construction
• Architect
• Other key facts
• A short description of the building covering the basic layout and its use, setting out
demands that the building has to preform as a result.

2 structural system.
How the building is constructed, how does it stand up? How are spaces spanned to provide
roofs and floors and what structural system is involved? How are these loads transferred to
the ground? What loadbearing elements are used. You should attempt a diagram to explain
this, most likely a section.

3 Building environment
How is the internal environment manipulated to create a comfortable environment for
inhabitants? Consider the diffing aspects of environmental comfort and how the building
envelope and layout respond to this. How does the internal space [enclosure] interact with
the external ? How can this be adapted? Illustrate

4 Building material.
Can you speculate about why certain materials have been used and combined in the design
of the building?

5 Sustainability
Briefly consider strengths and weakness of the building in terms of sustainability.
6 Most impressive feature of the building and summary
You are asked to provide a 3 slide presentation on the building to summarise the above and
present to the class. You need to consider the best aspect of the building and why.

Submission.
You should prepare a digital document to be submitted as part of your portfolio.
You will be asked to give a short 3 minute summary to the class on 15th December. The
presentation should be submitted on Blackboard by 1pm on 14th of December.