5B054E - Building Pathology and Surveying Practice 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Jul 2032 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 5B054E
Module Title: Building Pathology and Surveying Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Built and Sustainable Environment
Faculty Sub Group: Built Environment
Module Leader: Grant Avon
Module Team: Emmajane Mantle
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100216 - building surveying
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Jul 2032

Module Aims

  • Develop students’ ability to apply architectural technology principles to building surveying practice, including the interpretation of construction forms, detailing, material performance, and the technical behaviour of traditional, modern, and non-traditional buildings. 

  • Enable students to produce accurate technical drawings, defect diagrams, measured records and digital models that support inspection, diagnosis, communication, and decision-making across a range of professional surveying tasks. 

  • Strengthen students’ capacity to use digital tools, financial mathematics and traditional valuation methods to analyse building information, interpret data, evaluate options, and prepare clear, robust, and client-focused technical reports. 

Content Summary

This module develops students’ ability to apply architectural technology principles within building surveying practice, integrating technical design communication, digital modelling, measured surveys and evidence-based building analysis. Learners develop competence in producing accurate technical drawings, defect diagrams, measured records and digital representations that support professional reporting, valuationvaluation, and decision-making. The module introduces intermediate surveying techniques, architectural detailing, fabric performance analysisanalysis, and boundary interpretation, alongside the use of BIM, CAD, and data-driven tools to model and communicate building information. Students apply these skills to diagnose defects, evaluate repair and conservation options, interpret financial and valuation data, and prepare clear, robust technical outputs aligned with contemporary building surveying practice. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminars 18
Practical Classes and Workshops 20
Demonstration 6
Fieldwork 6
Groupwork 6
Problem/Challenge Based Learning 24
Guided Study 60
Independent Study 120
Summative Assessment 40
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Apply architectural technology principles, measured surveying techniques and technical communication skills to inspect, record, and analyse buildings. Produce accurate technical drawings, defect diagrams, and digital models to support the diagnosis of defects, evaluation of building performance, interpretation of boundaries and preparation of professional surveying outputs.
LO2 Evaluate and apply digital tools, BIM and CAD workflows, data management systems, financial mathematics and traditional valuation methods to interpret building information, analyse technical and commercial options, and prepare robust, evidence-based reports that support professional judgement in surveying practice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio develops foundational skills in applied architectural technology and surveying practice through a portfolio of technical outputs, including a measured survey drawing, scaled plans, construction sections, defect diagrams, boundary/condition overlays, and service layouts 0 2000 40 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 requiring students to produce a professional technical report that integrates digital modelling, annotated BIM/CAD outputs, corrected AI diagnostic overlays, area calculations, financial mathematics, and valuation methods 0 3000 60 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio ✔ ✔
Report 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

‘A Valuer’s Guide to the RICS Red Book 2012’ (2013). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/14635781311302627.  

Andrews, D. D. and English Heritage. (2003) Measured and drawn?: techniques and practice for the metric survey of historic buildings. Swindon: English Heritage. 

Britton, William, Davies, Keith., and Johnson, Tony Albert. (1989) Modern methods of valuation of land, houses and buildings. 8th ed. / by William Britton, Keith Davies, Tony Johnson. London: Estates Gazette.  

Coker, A. J., Turner, W., and Scaddan, Brian (1993) Electric wiring?: domestic. 3rd ed. Oxford, England: Newnes.  

Dr. Dhuha Abdulgani Abdulaziz Al-kazzaz (2014) ‘Freehand Drawings versus CAD Drawings in the Conceptual Architectural Design Phase’, Ma?allat¯ al-handasat ¯ al-rafidayn (Online), 22(1), pp. 56–79. Available at: https://doi.org/10.33899/rengj.2014.87025. 

Eynon, John (2016) Construction manager’s BIM handbook. 1st ed. Chichester, [England: Wiley Blackwell (THEi Wiley ebooks).  

Fellows, Richard and Liu, Anita (2015) Research methods for construction. Fourth edition. West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (New York Academy of Sciences).  

Gindis, E. and Kaebisch, R.C. (2024) Up and running with AutoCAD 2025: 2D drafting and design. Academic Press. Glover, P.V. (2022) Building surveys. Ninth edition. London: Routledge. Available at: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003307112. 

Hanbury, William and Law Society (Great Britain), issuing body. (2017) Boundary disputes?: practice and precedents. Second edition. London: The Law Society. 

Harris, Frank, McCaffer, Ronald., and Edum-Fotwe, Francis. (2013) Modern construction management. 7th ed. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley-Blackwell (New York Academy of Sciences).  

Holzer, Dominik (2016) The BIM manager’s handbook?: guidance for professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction. 1st ed. Chichester: Wiley (THEi Wiley ebooks).  

Hunt, R. et al. (2018) New design for old buildings. London: RIBA Publishing. Available at: https://findit.southwales.ac.uk/permalink/44WHELF_USW/1df4iq7/alma9910073328190242 4. ‘Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation’ (no date).  

Lechner, Norbert. (2014) Heating, Cooling, Lighting?: Sustainable Design Methods for Architects. 4th ed. Somerset: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.  

Lee Evans, N. (2014) An introduction to architectural conservation: philosophy, legislation & practice. 1st ed. Newcastle upon Tyne: RIBA Publishing.  

Lewis, M. J. T. (2001) Surveying instruments of Greece and Rome. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Lv ? y, Frano ? is (2012) BIM in small-scale sustainable design. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley. 

Martin, Hector, James, Jennifer, and Chadee, Aaron (2025) ‘Exploring Large Language Model AI tools in Construction Project Risk Assessment: Chat GPT Limitations in Risk Identification, Mitigation Strategies, and User Experience’, Journal of construction engineering and management, 151(9). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-16658.  

Nehdi, Moncef L. et al. (2024) Artificial Intelligence Applications for Sustainable Construction. 1st ed. San Diego: Elsevier Science & Technology (Woodhead Publishing Series in Civil and Structural Engineering Series).  

Pottmann, Helmut et al. (2015) ‘Architectural geometry’, Computers & graphics, 47, pp. 145–164. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cag.2014.11.002.  

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Dilapidations Working Group. (2008) Dilapidations. 5th ed. Coventry: RICS (RICS guidance note). 

Sayigh, A. A. M. and Sayigh, A. A. M. (2014) Sustainability, energy and architecture?: case studies in realizing green buildings. First edition. Oxford: Academic Press (Gale eBooks).  

Smith, Melanie and Gorse, Christopher A. (2021) Building surveyor’s pocket book. Abingdon, Oxon?; Routledge (Routledge pocket books).  

Steele, George (1985) Central heating?: a design and installation manual. London: Newnes Technical Books.