Final Project 2015-2015
The final project, or as traditionally referred to, the Thesis Project, is intended to be a
“proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discusses and proved
or to be maintained against objections” .
A thesis project, therefore, should be more than a set of plans/elevations/sections etc. that
describe a building, or a set of competent calculations or working drawings.
A project should investigate and propose new ideas of addressing particular issues against
objections, particularly the most common one of “this is the way we always did this.” At
every stage of the thesis project process, students should be thinking ‘outside of the box,’ if
we may use this cliché, questioning ‘why?’ and developing creative solutions to what may
appear to be routine challenges.
The first stage in the conception of innovative solutions is necessarily that of a proper
identification of the problem, or problems, that one wishes to address. The definition of the
problem may also need to be a creative process. For example, the problem of a bridge crossing
over a geographical barrier is not solely defined by the loads the bridge has to carry or by the
ground conditions, or even by the way it needs to be constructed. One needs to consider the
effect of creating movement, where previously there was none. This needs imagination.
The Faculty now offers studies in a wide range of disciplines, reflecting the different actors in
the process of development, or of modifying the environment. Consequently the Faculty
does not wish to miss out on the opportunity of an inter-disciplinary approach to the
solution of built environment problems. We are therefore proposing that all Master final
projects will relate to the same area of interest, and that for, say, the initial 6 week period,
you will work in multi-disciplinary teams, in parallel, in order to assess the problems of the
site, to identify the problems as well as the potential, and to come up with a schema of
interventions, generally for the specific area, which will inform the individual work that you
will then continue to develop – always within, however, the parameters of the solutions that
are considered appropriate.
The theme of the Project that we are proposing this year is intended to offer both a
challenging problem, which requires innovative solutions, as well as an opportunity for interdisciplinary work.
We want you all to look at the inner harbour area, part of Marsa, which is an area which was
previously highly industrialized, but which has now declined. The location remains one of
great potential, for rehabilitation and redevelopment.
The areas of focus have been narrowed down to those shown in the following slide. The area
of influence, relative to this zones, may indeed be larger.
Rationale for the Inter-Disciplinary Approach
In 1981, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe agreed on a Recommendation that, as far as is
feasible, a common core of studies be established for the four disciplines, architects, town planners, civil
engineers and landscape designers, without prejudice to the specific character of studies in each discipline,
“so as to make clear that any action involving one of those disciplines is but partial and belongs to a general
pattern;
to foster the adoption of a common language for the various participants, in order to create an atmosphere
of inter-disciplinarity, and clarity, which is often lacking at present.”
It recommended that the educational objectives ought to
inculcate a new philosophy of the environment, with particular reference to the architectural, cultural, social
and natural heritage of a place;
create an understanding of, and respect for, the various scientific disciplines relating to the environment,
and the importance of the environment, as a framework for living conditions;
Prepare professionals for co-operation, notably by means of joint exercises throughout the training period.
This philosophy generally under-pins the new course structures, and in particular this Final Project
•
•
•
•
What could this Marsa/Inner Harbour Area look like in 2050?
What sustainable redevelopment would be appropriate to take into account changes in sea-level?
What modes of transport, and which routes, including across harbour links, would be catered for?
What infrastructural systems would be required to make the zone “self-sufficient” in terms of water resources,
in terms of waste management, in terms of integrated energy production and distribution?
• If the area could accommodate a balanced multi-use development for future residents, office users, industry,
what social amenities would be required?
• How can green landscape be brought back into the area? Could the zone even produce food? What are the
bio-diversity issues that can arise in this area?
• How could we expect IT to impact on the zone?
These are obviously difficult, but exciting questions. The intention is that each multi-disciplinary group produces a
strategic vision for the area, which will then be shared between the five groups.
From these strategic visions, students, either as individuals, or groups within the same Programme, or even
groups formed from different Programmes, will identify the particular proposition they wish to work on – which
will become their Final Project.
For M.Arch Arch.Design students, it is likely that the Project would be the design of a building, taking into account
architectural form, function, and technology. For the Arch.& Conservation Studies cohort, it would be appropriate
that their architectural project would include interventions which respond to the industrial, and other, heritage in
the area. For Arch. & Urban Studies cohort, the Project would address the design of a building and the
relationship of the building with the urban space and the landscape, as defined in one of the masterplans
developed.
For the M.Eng. Struct. Eng. Students, it is likely that the Project will involve structures required to achieve the
strategic objectives pre-defined, such as bridges, floating structures, large span structures, including real geotechnical conditions. For the Civil Eng. Students, the Project could be anything from the study (and required
structures for) of waste water management, (foul and storm), or treatment, to that of waste management, of
marine infrastructures, of energy distribution and generation, or of vehicular and pedestrian road systems and
networks. For the Eng. & Management students, the Project would, again, depending on the selected cohort,
address structural systems and their delivery, or infrastructural systems and their delivery, including feasibility,
cost engineering etc..
After the submission of the strategic visions, the groups will be re-formed in accordance with the above choices
made, and the tutors re-assigned accordingly.
Primary Tutors
M.Arch. Architectural Design – Joseph Galea, Alberto Miceli Farrugia
Architecture and Urban Design – Dr. Edwin Mintoff and Jacques Borg Barthet
Architecture and Conservation Studies – Audrey Galea and Prof. Alex Torpiano
M.Eng. Structural Engineering – Prof. Dion Buhagiar and John Valentino
Civil Engineering – Dr. Odette Lewis and Dr. Kevin Gatt
Engineering and Management – Dr.Rebecca Dalli Gonzi (plus Dion Buhagiar or Odette Lewis depending on cohort.)
Other References
Dr. Paul Gauci - Planning
Antoine Gatt – Landscape
Adrian Mifsud – Geotechnical Issues
Dr.Simon Borg – Energy
Prof.Vincent Buhagiar – Building Performance
Joseph Bugeja/Dr.Claire DeMarco – Marine issues
Reuben Grima – Archaeology
…..
Reminder of what M.Arch students are expected to demonstrate with their Final Project
1.an ability to create architectural designs that satisfy both aesthetic and technical requirements,
2.an adequate knowledge of the history and theories of architecture and the related arts, technologies
and human sciences,
3.a knowledge of the fine arts as an influence on the quality of architectural design,
4.an adequate knowledge of urban design, planning and the skills involved in the planning process,
5.an understanding of the relationship between people and buildings, and between buildings and their
environment, and of the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them to human needs and
scale,
6.an understanding of the profession of architecture and the role of the architect in society, in particular
in preparing briefs that take account of social factors,
7.an understanding of the methods of investigation and preparation of the brief for a design project,
8.an understanding of the structural design, constructional and engineering problems associated with
building design,
9.an adequate knowledge of physical problems and technologies and of the function of buildings so as
to provide them with internal conditions of comfort and protection against the climate,
10.the necessary design skills to meet building users' requirements within the constraints imposed by
cost factors and building regulations,
11.an adequate knowledge of the industries, organizations, regulations and procedures involved in
translating design concepts into buildings and integrating plans into overall planning.
Reminder of what M.Eng students are expected to demonstrate with their Final Project
b.
A thorough knowledge of the principles of engineering, based on physics and mathematics, appropriate to his/her
discipIine.
c.
A general knowledge of good engineering practice, in his/her field of engineering and the properties, behaviour,
fabrication and use of materials and components.
d.
Familiarity with the tools of the new technologies and ability to handle technical information and statistics.
e.
The ability to develop and use theoretical models from which the behaviour of the physical world can be
predicted.
f.
A capacity to exercise independent technical judgement through scientific analysis and logical thought.
g.
An ability to work on multi-disciplinary projects.
h.
Knowledge of industrial relations and the principles of management, taking into account technical, financial and
human considerations.
i.
Skill in communication, oral and written, including the ability to write clear, cogent reports.
j.
An ability to apply the principles of good design in the interest of ease of manufacture and maintenance, and
quality, at economical cost.
k.
An active appreciation of the progress of technical change and of the continuing need not to rely solely on
established practice but to cultivate an attitude of innovation and creativity in the exercise of the profession of engineering.
I.
An ability to assess conflicting and multifarious factors (e.g. cost, quality and time-scale) both in the short and long
terms and to find the best engineering solution.
m.
An ability to provide for environmental considerations.
n.
The capacity to mobilize human resources.
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Mentor
Joseph Galea
Mentor
Audrey Galea
Mentor
Edwin Mintoff
Mentor
Odette Lewis
Mentor
Alex Torpiano
Aleksandrova Martina
Baldacchino Peter
Bianco Andrea
Bonello Daniel
Bonello Samuel
Bugeja Dale Francis
Debattista Francesco
Fava Rene'
Gauci Diane
Lia Etienne
Pace Kristine
Attard Daniel
Bondin Jean Karl
Borg Martha
Borg Bonaci Clive
Briguglio Charlo
Falzon Aidan
Grech Ryan Noel
Marmara' Russell
Mizzi Robert
Muscat Matthew
Avellino Jonathan
Bonello Kyle
Bugeja Neville
Cachia Malcolm V.
Camilleri Mark
Gauci Katrina
Mizzi Justin
Pellicano Luke
Schembri Antionette
Turscherl Nadine
Vella Mark
Azzopardi Christopher
Caligari Andrew
Caruana Joseph
De Gabriele Sergio
Farrugia Clara
Grech Paula
Pace Robert
Tong Malcolm J.
Vassallo Julian
Vella Kurt
Cutajar Sacha Joseph
Farrugia Roberta
Fenech Luigi
Frendo Mark
Gatt Matthew
Moran William Karl
Sciberras Luke
Spiteri Albert
Vella Neal Angelo
Zerafa Andrea
6
7
5
6
7
8 P2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 P3
04/07/2016
5
27/06/2016
4
20/06/2016
3
13/06/2016
16/05/2016
2
06/06/2016
09/05/2016
1
29/05/2016
02/05/2016
7
revision
25/04/2016
6
proposal
18/04/2016
5
23/05/2016
11/06/2016
4
revision
04/04/2016
3
submit
14/03/2016
2
28/03/2016
07/03/2016
1
21/03/2016
29/02/2016
25/01/2016
22/02/2016
3
15/02/2018
2
08/02/2016
1
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41-44
01/02/2016
6
18/01/2016
5
11/01/2016
4
04/01/2016
14/12/2015
3
28/12/2015
07/12/2015
1 2
21/12/2015
30/11/2015
16/11/2015
09/11/2015
4 5 6
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
23/11/2015
1 2 3
02/11/2015
5 6 7
26/10/2015
19/10/2015
12/10/2015
1 2 3 4
28/09/2015
05/10/2015
week
BSc
Workshops
Year 2
Year 1
Year 2
7 8 P1
4
revision revision
Year 1
1 2 3 4 5 6
Knowledge-based Content
Major 1 10 ECTS - 60hrs
Major 2 10 ECTS - 60hrs
Minor
5 ECTS - 30hrs
Major 1 5 ECTS - 30 hrs
Major 2 5 ECTS - 30hrs
Minor
5 ECTS - 30hrs
10 ECTS - 60hrs
1 or 2 exams 10 ECTS - 60 hrs
1 or 2 exams
1 or 2 exams
1 or 2 exams
1 exam
1 exam
1 exam
1 exam
Research Content
Research Methods
Dissertation
Dissertation
15/20 ECTS
S
(submit)
P
P
Project 3 - 5 ECTS
P
P
Project 2 - 5 ECTS
P
(defend)
Project Content
Year 1
P
Project 1 - 5 ECTS
Project 2 - 5 ECTS
OR
Project 1 - 10 ECTS
OR
P
Project 1 - 5 ECTS
Semester 1:
30 ECTS
(25 taught, 5 Project)
P
Project 2 - 10 ECTS
Semester 2: 30 ECTS
(20 taught 10 Project)
Year 2
Final Project
Professional Studies
25/20 ECTS
2 ECTS
P
weeks
beginning with
MArch Year 2
1
28th Sep
2
5th Oct
3
12th Oct
Tutorials
4
19th Oct
Arch. Technology 2 W'kshop
5
26th Oct
Tutorials
6
2nd Nov
Tutorials
7
9th Nov
Tutorials
8
16th Nov
Lesson Plan
MArch Year 2
Student work
Other years
Thesis brief launch
5/6 weeks: site visit. Multidisciplinary analysis, research, interviews,
etc. Whole Masters cohort works in five multidiciplinary groups.
Year 3 Presentations
Studio Pinup: Research presentation, identifying strategies.
9
23rd Nov
Tutorials
10
30th Nov
Tutorials
11
7th Dec
Tutorials
12
14th Dec
MArch Yr1 Presentations
Presentation: Master plan strategy, choice of thesis topic and site
21st Dec
Christmas Recess
28th Dec
13
4th Jan
Tutorials
14
11th Jan
Tutorials
Year 2 & 3 Presentations
18th Jan
Exams:14th-30th Jan. Submission of 3 assignments and ' 2 seminar papers
25th Jan
1
1st Feb
Tutorials
2
8th Feb
Tutorials
3
15th Feb
Tutorials
4
22nd Feb
Tutorials
5
29th Feb
Presentation: Design concept/strategy including environmental strategy for the building and landscape, choice of materials and structural
systems
6
7th Mar
Tutorials
7
14th Mar
Tutorials by appointment
4 weeks, individual work
MArch Yr1 Presentations
Dissertation submission
21st Mar
Easter Recess
28th Mar
8
4th Apr
Tutorials by appointment
9
11th Apr
Tutorials
10
18th Apr
Tutorials
11
25th Apr
Tutorials
12
2nd May
Dissertation presentations
Year 2 Presentations
3 weeks, individual work
Studio Pinup: General Layouts for the building and landscape, detail sketch
13
9th May
Tutorials
14
16th May
Tutorials
15
24th May
Tutorials
Year 2 & 3 Presentations
16
30th May
Tutorials
MArch Yr1 Presentations
17
6th June
Preview: design concluded for all elements (building, landscape, services, details, interiors ...)
18
13th June
Tutorials
19
20th June
Tutorials
20
27th June
Final Presentations
21
4th July
External Examiner
4 weeks, individual work
Exams:
3 weeks, individual work, focus on presentation only
28th May - 30th June