• University of Bath

Modern Building Design

Learn how climate change, technology and regulation are changing modern building design and professional practice in construction.

26,721 enrolled on this course

Modern roof design

Modern Building Design

26,721 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Explore the trends influencing modern building design

Climate change, technology and regulation are changing modern building design, and the professional practices of the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry.

This online course explores these trends, highlighting how higher education and the construction sector can address them. It’s been developed by the University of Bath’s highly rated Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering and draws on its new, interdisciplinary MSc programme in Modern Building Design.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 0 seconds [THEME MUSIC]

Skip to 0 minutes and 18 seconds I’m Dr Ricardo Codinhoto. I’m here to introduce you to the topic discussing our Modern Building Design course. We cannot continue designing buildings the way we used to. Modern life brings new challenges and designers are responsible for influencing the way we live our lives. Today, we have more specialisms in design and that requires a new approach to design management. A new profession is emerging, the design manager, playing a central role in the development of projects. Traditional ways of educating and training professionals have to adapt. It has to be integrated with the industry. It has to be delivered with more collaboration with industry. And that in itself brings new challenges.

Skip to 1 minute and 1 second Modern Building Design requires professionals that are able to develop research that informs design and construction. In our course, we discuss a few of the areas that our research teams have been working on to inform modern building design. We also discuss the challenges that humanity is facing. For instance, we discuss building resilience and the need for understanding water-sensitive design so that we can cope with rising sea levels. We also introduce the impacts of the energy crisis and strategies for creating low-carbon building design.

Skip to 1 minute and 35 seconds We will leave the classroom to go to the lab to explore how nanotechnology is changing the way we think about things, the way we develop better materials and the way that we can create new forms based on new technologies. In this digital era we discuss how building information modelling through technology is helping us to integrate huge amounts of disconnected processes, people and information. And how design can be better integrated from its inception. We also discuss how design can impact positively and negatively in our well-being. We will provide you a much broader view and understanding of sustainability and that is what model building design is, in our view. [THEME MUSIC]

What topics will you cover?

  • The links between Higher Education and the Modern Building Design industry
  • The emerging role of the design manager
  • The importance of information modelling for enhanced design
  • New sustainable construction materials and techniques
  • Water-sensitive design for increased resilience
  • Buildings and their impact on health and wellbeing

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Develop an awareness of the various aspects that influence modern building design in current times
  • Identify the various areas where professionals within AEC can work (from the traditional office and site positions to lab-based ones)
  • Describe how design management, digital modelling, nanotechnology, resilience, wellbeing and sustainability are driving the AEC curriculum
  • Discuss the need for increased integration between HE and practice as the way forward to the formation of AEC professionals

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in modern building design processes, no previous experience is necessary.

It will be useful for young people considering careers in the field and current professionals who want to develop their skills.

Who will you learn with?

A senior lecturer with expertise in design theory and management, lean design and construction and evidence-based design and building information modelling.

Who developed the course?

University of Bath

The University of Bath is one of the UK’s leading universities both in terms of research and our reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and graduate prospects.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 9 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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