This design module explores digital construction technologies and their influence on architectural design and practice. The experiments are situated within the context of the Climate Emergency and environmental sustainability, contributing to aspects of a much-needed sustainability transition in the construction sector. Students were tasked with designing a zero-carbon student accommodation project in collaboration with the Manchester Metropolitan University Estates Department. By working closely with Man-Met Estates as a live client, students identified and addressed live considerations in the ongoing expansion of the university provision, while aligning with the strategy to retain Man-Met as one of the greenest campus’ in the UK. Design was positioned within systems thinking to engage with multiscale considerations towards a unique zero-carbon future outcome. Modern Methods of Construction and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) were explored to further the sustainability goals through use of emerging technologies. Students researched and developed spatial strategies to address user and client needs as a designed spatial system, while also demonstrating the zero-carbon ambition and performance considering embodied, operational and life cycle aspects of the carbon footprint. While demonstrating their critical understanding of zero-carbon and DfMA for design, students developed familiarity with digital and computational approaches to design with a primary focus on BIM and digital to physical connections.

This design module explored adaptive reuse of the part listed Righton Building. With a focus on re-interpretation and a systems approach, students were tasked with adapting the Man-Met Righton building into a zero-carbon learning commons/makerspace. The systems theoretical perspective (learnt from PS1) was used to frame the project. A critical study of reuse case studies identified useful strategies. These were tested with embedded metrics resulting in an evidence-based approach. An iterative computational design approach was utilised to test the design space by iterating and testing programmatic requirements, spatial organisation, site conditions, energy performance, façade design, internal conditions, comfort, etc., towards brief and zero-carbon future requirements. As part of the process of design, students were provided with specialist workshops on computational modelling, parametric design and visual programming, while looking at digital design work-flows and multi-stage analysis. The outcomes test the constraints of the re-use project in achieving zero-carbon outcomes in creative ways.