Future Homes Design and Construction

Principles of Alternative Energy

• Technologies that harness solar, wind and hydro energy are now established systems for generating power and heat. Along with other innovations such as heat pumps and bio-fuel, these are often incorporated into the design for new construction projects. This module will develop your knowledge of current and future energy technologies and apply that knowledge in the analysis and assessment of its effectiveness.
• You'll learn to differentiate alternative energy systems from common systems in use today, evaluate renewable energy systems in context, and understand how alternative energy solutions can address broader environmental issues. In addition, you'll learn to consider the costs associated to building upgrades, and identifying appropriate forms of alternative energy.

Construction Technology

• This module will introduce you to the different technological concepts used to enable the construction of building elements, and the functional characteristics and design considerations when selecting the most suitable technological solution. You'll learn about the constantly evolving materials and techniques and the demand for providing buildings with the capacity to enhance their environmental and energy performance.
• You'll develop an understanding of the terminology used in construction technology, the different techniques used to construct substructures and superstructures, finishes, building services, and the types of technology used in buildings.

Housing Design and Specification

• The success of any project relies on the development of a good design and the technical information to allow the project to be built. This module will provide you with an awareness of the design process and the information required to communicate the design. You'll learn to specify and quantify materials, provide instruction for assembly and erection, calculate precise costing and the importance of project management.
• You'll gain an understanding of construction drawing, detailing, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Building Information Modelling (BIM), schedules, specifications, bills of quantities and information collaboration. On completion of the module, you'll be able to analyse scenarios, make decisions and produce drawings and specifications to achieve appropriate, creative, and innovative home design proposals.

Principles of Off-site Construction

• In the majority of cases construction projects are still carried out using the same principles as medieval construction. Large amounts of material are delivered to a building site where weather conditions and physical constraints can cause not just delays and defects but often unattractive working conditions. Off-site construction offers a range of potential benefits for increasing the efficiency, accuracy, and quality of the end product.
• In this module, you'll explore different approaches to off-site construction for housing development and delivery. This includes modular construction, factory construction, automation and robotics, and 3D printing. You'll consider the way in which off-site processes and technologies may influence housing design and delivery.
• On completion of the module, you'll be able to assess potential options for off-site production in the housing market, and develop design and manufacture strategies to enable housing delivery.

Principles of Housing Economics

• This module explores the economic factors associated with housing design, construction and development. You'll develop an
  awareness of the relationship between forms of housing development, economic and environmental sustainability, while considering the impact of both design and construction methods on the cost and market viability of housing.
• You'll establish an understanding of the complex relationship between housing, sustainability, and the economy. A key focus of this will be exploring the impact that new technologies and forms of construction have on housing costs and housing supply.

Construction Practice and Management

• This module will provide you with a holistic understanding of construction practice and management processes. You'll investigate and research the modern construction industry, from the practical skills embedded in industry through to their link with development on-site and connection with construction management.
• You'll develop an understanding of the different types and sizes of construction company structures and their relationships with the tendering process, and explore how health and safety has evolved within the industry. You'll be able to discuss the different stages of a construction project and how Building Information Modelling (BIM) fits into construction processes, ranging from domestic to large-scale and design and build projects.

Building Information Modelling

• The aim of this unit is to provide students with the background knowledge and understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the context of the construction industry. You'll be introduced to the drivers and benefits associated with BIM, as well as the terminology which surrounds BIM.
• You'll explore the relationship between design, construction, and operation, and the relevance of information management in regards to BIM. You'll investigate BIM in different contexts - including local, national and global developments and professionals' roles and responsibilities - and how concepts influence the entire process of the way an asset is managed and maintained.

Construction Design Project (Individual Project)

• This module will support you in using and applying the knowledge and skills developed through other areas of your study, to complete and present an individual construction design project.
• You'll develop a project brief, as well as a project specification, and work through clear processes to identify, define, plan, develop and execute a successful construction design project. You'll undertake research, i.e. a feasibility study, and consider a range of potential solutions using your critical analysis and evaluation techniques to test, select and contextualise your chosen methods.
• Through your project, you'll learn how to formulate and manage a project within agreed timescales, evaluate potential project management solutions, and produce and present a project report with your final project outcomes.