This module focuses on the concepts, theories and methods of design thinking as a process to foster creativity within the communication and media practice. Following a multidisciplinary approach, design thinking uses a set of tools and methods to promote innovation through the combination of multiple experiences and perspectives. A culture of systematic creativity and
innovation is essential in the creation of good design and outstanding communication, and it is contemporarily acknowledged as a competitive advantage to a wide range of activities and organizations as a way to increase both performance and productivity.

This module focuses on drawing from life. Students review methods of observing and responding to visual phenomena through free hand drawing in an effort to become more thoroughly familiar with the living forms of plants, animals and people. The primary subject for the class is the human form. Students will work with the human figure routinely, but will also draw animals, plants and landscape studies. A variety of media and approaches are taught to help students achieve the control and understanding necessary to produce quality work. Individual and group critiques are used as teaching aids to help students improve their grasp of concepts and techniques.

Architectural Studio I&II: This module is an introduction to principles and processes; sequence of exercises emphasizing development of basic skills, ideas, and techniques used in the design of simplified architectural projects.

In this module students explore the aesthetics of photography through digital imaging. It emphasizes composition and creative artistic expression. Students engage in the emerging theories and practices within digital imaging. They are expected to critically explore both the technical and aesthetic issues involved in the creation and critique of still digital images. Students will be given projects to further their development as visual artists while utilizing new tools in a creative and conceptual fashion. Course readings, discussions, lectures and critiques will provide a scaffold that will guide students’ understanding of the artistic process involved in creating a digital image. Furthermore, the module will develop students’ understanding of the historical contributions and cultural dimensions of photography throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Digital Photography & Video - LAT203 / LAR221

This module ensures that all students have the conceptual and technical knowledge and have had adequate practice to competently sketch in both two and three dimensions. This module explains the theory and practice of sketching and interpreting views of three dimensional objects, including prespective, isometric, orthographic and other projections and sectioning. It also introduces students to technical standards in engineering drawings, including the specification of symmetry; dimensions, surfaces and tolerances; chamfers and blends; sections and standard parts. Students work through a structured series of problems to sketch increasingly complex objects and interpret complex drawings, including the calculation of feature dimensions based on geometric analysis.

This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive introduction to urban geography. It focuses on the restlessness of urban environments and their populations to produce constantly changing, gradually evolving dynamic spaces and places. The module explores the way in which globalization and the city exist in tandem, mutually implicated and reinforcing. We examine the way in which global processes impact on the local level and the way in which local conditions modify global forces to produce distinctive, new hybrid urban forms. The concepts and theories presented in the module are exemplified by relevant case-studies drawn from the global scale. The module will involve three distinct but interconnected elements, each delivered by a different member of staff. The three elements will consider: (1) The idea of city from the classical antiquity (historical and cultural geography); (2) The city as a locus of economic production, consumption and exchange (economic geography); (3) The city and the environment (environment and demography). By the end of this module, students should be able to: describe and account for broad changes in the nature, form, function and inter-relationships of urban spaces over time; describe and explain the attributes, features and characteristics of different types of urban spaces; discuss the changing nature of basic urban geographical thought and enquiry; identify the major approaches to the production and regeneration of urban spaces in the late twentieth century; define and discuss major concepts and ideas (keywords and phrases); and explore more complicated work by accessing resources further embedded in foundation studies.

This module ensures that all students have the conceptual and technical knowledge and have had adequate practice to competently sketch in both two and three dimensions. This module explains the theory and practice of sketching and interpreting views of three dimensional objects, including perspective, isometric, orthographic and other projections and sectioning. It also introduces students to technical standards in engineering drawings, including the specification of symmetry, dimensions, surfaces and tolerances, chamfers and blends, sections and standard parts. Students work through a structured series of problems to sketch increasingly complex objects and interpret complex drawings, including the calculation of feature dimensions based on geometric analysis.

Sketching & engineering drawing - LDS301 / LMD301

This module gives students the opportunity to explore clay as a media and investigate techniques used in sculpture. Students will work with clay using hand building, wheel thrown, mold making and mixed techniques. They will experiment with several different types of clay bodies and explore contemporary and traditional approaches in both ceramic sculpture and vessel-making. They will prepare their pieces for firing and glazing. Students will also work with a variety of sculpting methods. Installations that incorporate multiple mediums and conceptual issues are part of the curriculum.

In this course students will explore the evolution of Macau as an architectural city. The course will be organized as a field-based study of buildings, neighborhoods and logics behind past and current city planning. Special emphasis will be given to the study of world heritage buildings and to what they represent.

This module is an introduction to architectural principles and processes, comprising a sequence of exercises emphasizing the development of basic skills, ideas, and techniques used in the design of simplified projects. It forms a comprehensive introduction to the foundation studies of architecture, addressing the issues essential to the training of an architect. The aim is to develop architectural literacy, improve critical and analytical skills, enhance visual, spatial, and conceptual sensibilities with emphasis on the presentation of ideas, concepts, and present designs in visual and verbal formats.

Students learn how to work with wood and safely operate hand and power tools. The care and maintenance of tools and equipment is also addressed. Students will construct projects of their own choosing, approved by the instructor, and must purchase the materials needed for their project. Rules and procedures needed to work safely with various tools and machinery used in a woodshop will be covered. Possible woodworking projects are cabinets, planters, tables, jewelry boxes, bookshelves, picture frames, etc.

This module focuses on the ideas and thinking involved in the creation of good design. It discusses conceptual development and design processes and looks at the works of well known designers in relation to their approaches to design. Systematic tools and techniques for stimulating creativity and design excellence are considered, along with methodologies for predicting the evolution of product designs. In particular, the TRIZ methodology for systematic creativity will be explored as part of this module.

Design thinking & systematic creativity - LCM204 / LDS304 / LIS237 / LIS304 / LMD304

Students will have the time and place to observe, practice and test their learning achievements in areas related to human life. The use of real life situations, scenario building, simulation, introspective exercises and project development and management will create an environment where students will be challenged to question and research the wide range of issues that are central to the emergence and dynamics of life.

Students learn how to work with metals and safely operate hand and power tools for cutting, shaping and welding. The care and maintenance of tools and equipment is also addressed. Students will construct projects of their own choosing, approved by the instructor, and must purchase the materials needed for their project. Rules and procedures needed to work safely with various tools and machinery used in a metal-shop are covered. Possible metalworking projects are cabinets, planters, tables, jewelry boxes, bookshelves, picture frames, etc.

Ergonomics is a discipline that involves arranging the environment to fit the person in it, and about the effective division of work between man and machine. When ergonomics is applied correctly in the work environment, visual and musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue are reduced significantly. Also, when work is appropriately divided between people and machines the synergies obtained can create considerable efficiency gains. Students will learn how to follow ergonomic principles to reduce stress and eliminate many potential injuries and disorders associated with the overuse of muscles, bad posture, and repeated tasks. This is accomplished by designing tasks, work spaces, controls, displays, tools, lighting, and equipment to fit the user’s physical capabilities and limitations. Students will also learn about the relative strengths and weaknesses of people and machines in working situations and how to effectively partition efforts between them.

Ergonomics - LDS303 / LIS238 / LMD303 / LAR209

Ergonomics is a discipline that involves arranging the environment to fit the person in it, and about the effective division of work between man and machine. When ergonomics is applied correctly in the work environment, visual and musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue are reduced significantly. Also, when work is appropriately divided between people and machines the synergies obtained can create considerable efficiency gains. Students will learn how to follow ergonomic principles to reduce stress and eliminate many potential injuries and disorders associated with the overuse of muscles, bad posture, and repeated tasks. This is accomplished by designing tasks, work spaces, controls, displays, tools, lighting, and equipment to fit the user’s physical capabilities and limitations. Students will also learn about the relative strengths and weaknesses of people and machines in working situations and how to effectively partition efforts between them.

Ergonomics - LDS303 / LIS238 / LMD303 / LAR209

Architectural Studio III&IV: Continuing development of principles and processes: sequence of projects selected to broaden awareness of design issues at various scales in the urban context.

Architectural Studio III&IV: Continuing development of principles and processes: sequence of projects selected to broaden awareness of design issues at various scales in the urban context.

This module explores the basic ideas underpinning modern thinking and approaches to the conservation and sustainable ongoing development of urban areas. The meaning of urban heritage and the value of conserving it is considered, along with the different schools of thought and the most widely adopted approaches to the conservation of the character and ambience of large areas. An important part of the module is considering the conservation of structures and public spaces by giving them new purposes.

This module introduces students to a range of advanced construction approaches and techniques, and to the issues and technologies that are important when constructing buildings and other structures in environmentally sustainable and sensitive ways, and for managing the ongoing internal situation in buildings to minimize environmental their impacts.

Architectural Studio V&VI: Special Integrative year including design issues related to housing.

This module focuses on the ideas and thinking involved in the creation of good design and communications. It discusses conceptual development and design processes and looks at the works of well known designers and communicators in relation to their approaches to design and communications. Systematic tools and techniques for stimulating creativity and communications excellence are considered. In particular, the TRIZ methodology for systematic creativity will be explored as part of this module.

Design thinking & systematic creativity - LCM204 / LDS304 / LIS237 / LIS304 / LMD304

Architectural Studio V&VI: Special Integrative year including design issues related to housing.

Students will be encouraged to recognize and understand the ongoing redefinition of societies as communities and the affirmation of the individual as a person. These capacities are relevant pre-conditions to students as they become cultured and transnational scholars. Students will be encouraged to delve into their learned and inherited cultural traditions to study and develop deeper awareness of notions, principles, methodologies and techniques useful to building family, academic, business, and civic communities that can and should make a difference. Recent research in the new science of networks will help the understanding and implementation of these ongoing transformations.

Students will learn about the ideas, problems, and computations related to the design of buildings in response to the luminous and sonic environment.

Students will discuss ideas, problems, and computations related to the design of buildings in response to the thermal and atmospheric environment; passive solar systems, mechanical control systems.

In this module students will investigate and design elements and systems for building structures. Topics will include applied mechanics, strength of materials, structural investigation, resistance to seismic and wind forces and integration with architectural design of synergy of form and structure.

Architectural Studio VII&VIII: Selected areas of specialization; three projects chosen with advisement from a variety of studio offerings that concentrate on different areas of vital concern.

Architectural Studio VII&VIII: Selected areas of specialization; three projects chosen with advisement from a variety of studio offerings that concentrate on different areas of vital concern.

Art - Free expression I&II: This pair of modules gives students free reign to express themselves artistically, by creating works on a structured series of topics. For each art project completed, each student provides his/her own interpretation of the chosen topic, and then students critically review each other’s work.

Art - Free expression I&II: This pair of modules gives students free reign to express themselves artistically, by creating works on a structured series of topics. For each art project completed, each student provides his/her own interpretation of the chosen topic, and then students critically review each other’s work.

Graduation Project I&II: Students work individually with a supervisor to create an architectural masterwork, relating this effort to an understanding of the marketplace, the research literature and theory underpinning it and the practicalities of implementing it.

This module lets students explore approaches and techniques in interior design and furniture. Examples of interior design and furniture from different genres and parts of the world are analyzed to identify their strengths and weaknesses from different perspectives, including aesthetic, stylistic, cultural, ergonomic and usage patterns. Students also work through a progressively more complex series of interior design and furniture projects, according to realistic client briefs.

Interior Design - LAR211 / LDS306

Architects, today, function through projects. Project management is, thus, an integral and fundamental area of study for architects. This module focuses on the planning, implementation, control, and progress assessment of medium to large architectural projects. A case approach and action oriented teaching will be adopted and students will need to plan, manage and complete a small project in architecture.

Project management - LIS403 / LBT402 / LBA229 / LAR242

Graduation Project I&II: Students work individually with a supervisor to create an architectural masterwork, relating this effort to an understanding of the marketplace, the research literature and theory underpinning it and the practicalities of implementing it.

As an integral part of their studies, all Licentiate in Architecture students must complete eighteen (18) weeks of work internship with an approved design company before they can graduate. During their internship, students must keep a diary of the work that they do, and examples of their work outputs.