Building Construction in the Architecture Degree: A Comparison of Curriculums in Spain

Abstract

The Architecture Degree in Spain is regulated by Order EDU 2075/2010. This Order confers Architecture Schools in Spain freedom when organising their study programmes because it only indicates a minimum number of credits. This work aims to compare the study programmes of 33 Architecture Schools in Spain because very few works have addressed such programmes. Firstly, the relevance of each module was analysed by identifying the knowledge areas to which more importance is attached. In this case, the Design and Technical modules appeared with teaching loadings of more than 50% and 25%, respectively, compared to all the degrees, and differences of more than 45% were detected. In a second phase, the analysis centred on Building Construction courses (core and optional), their number of ECTS and course contents. This revealed that a series of disciplines is taught in practically all such schools in Spain, while others are taught less frequently and only in some Architecture Schools. Relevant differences (up to 75%) were found in the number of ECTS appointed to the Building Construction area among the different schools. On the one hand, this comparison allows the training structure of the Architecture Degree in Spain and any existing differences among centres in the same country to be known. It also demonstrates the importance of Building Construction courses in Spanish architects’ technical training. On the other hand, this work allows a framework to be defined to establish future analyses by comparing this organisation to that in other countries.