BSc (Hons)
Arch Tech
2023
Research
BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology
The final fourth year second semester of architectural technology engages the students in producing a Technical Design Thesis study and a written Technical Design Dissertation which provides the means for application and integration of the technical knowledge, understanding and skills developed in previous years of architectural technology to a building design related technical proposal that becomes the vehicle by which the learner can evaluate and bring to completion their thesis study. Although the emphasis is on adaptive design, reuse and retrofit; and compliance measures for existing buildings, students will be free to explore the technical design of new buildings also.
The process aims to bring students to a professional level of competence at graduation. It aims to establish their ability to create performance-based technical design solutions to building problems, responding to and developing the architectural technical design through the application and integration of building technology and materials, structural and environmental design criteria, and building regulations, codes and standards.
Through the various stages of the Thesis the students establish their comprehension of performance design, their ability to engage with and develop underlying theoretical and scientific principles, and their ability in measurement and calculation, especially in the areas of thermal and environmental performance.
A key aim is to establish the student's independence and ability to develop a major technical design thesis demonstrating a capacity for technical design and an ability to produce a rigorous and comprehensive study into a research question of their own choosing.
Shannen Celeste - How does environmental conditions affect mould growth in a residential house?
Emma Garry - Can greywater be reused in a home?
Cara Molloy - Is fungi the future rival to structural traditional building materials?
Colm Morris - How do building automation systems impact the energy output of Irish homes?
Karl Morris - Photovoltaic glazing potential on retrofitting existing commercial facades.
Tadhg O Ruairc - An investigation into the effects of green walls on indoor air quality.
Jessica Whelan - An exploration of the feasibility of human hair as insulation in construction.
Staff:
TDS (Technical Design Studio) Semester 1
David Knight
Tim O’Leary
Darren Bergin
Davitt Lamon
Building Performance Semester 1
Tim O’Leary
David Knight
Professional Studies Semester 1
Darren Bergin
David Palmer
PreThesis Research Semester 1
Kirk McCormack
TDS Semester 2
David Knight
Tim O’Leary
Jim Roche
Darren Bergin
David Palmer
Chris Bakkala
Technical Design Dissertation Research Semester 2
Kirk McCormack
Technical Design Dissertation Supervisors Semester 2
Dr Malachy Mathews
Tim O’Leary
Jim Roche
Sameer Mehra
Olivia Golden
David Knight
David Palmer
Kirk McCormack