01 Course outline/syllabus

Department of Architectural Technology, Fall 2023

ARCH 2331            BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

1 classroom hours, 4 lab/studio hours, 3 credits
Tuesdays and Thursdays

Class, Section	Days & Times	Room	Instructor
11349 D618-LEC	TuTh 8:00AM – 10:05AM	V-834B	Eban Singer
11350 D468-LEC	Fr 3:30PM – 5:35PM	V-834B	Alexander Aptekar
	Tu 3:30PM – 5:35PM	V-833
11351 E466-LEC	Fr 6:00PM – 8:05PM	V-205	Alexander Aptekar
	Tu 6:00PM – 8:05PM	V-833

Instructor emails:

• Eban Singer: esinger@bkskarch.com
• Alexander Aptekar: AAptekar@CityTech.Cuny.Edu

 

Office Hours:

Prof. A. Aptekar [Course coordinator]
In person Tuesday and Fridays between 2:30pm to 3:30pm in room V817/or by appointment.
Video meetings are available by appointment using the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86988456592
Meeting ID: 869 8845 6592

Prof. Eban Singer
by appointment over Zoom, but generally Friday mornings 9am-11am.
Video meetings are available by appointment using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86988456592
Meeting ID: 869 8845 6592

Course Description: A study of the basic materials of construction as well as the theory and practice of building technology. The course will include investigation of the assembly of building components and methods of construction while developing proficiency in both analog and digital drawing techniques, and professional level construction drawing.

Course context: This is the second course in the Building Technology sequence required for both the AAS and the BTech degrees offered by the Department of Architectural Technology. Each course in this sequence is a pre-requisite for the following building technology and studio design courses.

Prerequisites: ARCH 1231 Building Technology I with a grade of C or higher

Required Texts:
– Allen, Edward. Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods, 7th Edition. John Wiley and Sons, 2019.
– Ching, Francis. Building Construction Illustrated, 6th Edition. John Wiley and Sons, 2020.

Recommended Texts/References:
– RRamsey, Charles George, Harold Reeve Sleeper, and Bruce Bassler. Architectural Graphic Standards: Student Edition (Ramsey/Sleeper Architectural Graphic Standards Series). John Wiley and Sons, 2008.
– Edward Allen, Joseph Iano. The Architect’s Studio Companion: Rules of Thumb for Preliminary Design, Wiley; 5 edition
– Thallon, Rob. Graphic Guide to Frame Construction. Taunton, 2016.

Attendance Policy: For the purposes of record, two late arrivals are considered as one absence. Excessive absence may affect grades due to lack of class participation and mastery of class material.

Academic Integrity: Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting and citation of sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the college recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension and expulsion.

Course Structure: This course will combine weekly lectures focused on particular materials and methods of construction and studio lab time to acquire hand sketching and digital drafting and modeling skills while developing a series of case drawing and modeling investigations of the materials and assemblies discussed in the lectures. There will be one or more research assignments as well as several quizzes based on key terms and concepts discussed in the class and in the assigned readings. A portfolio will be developed to document the studio lab work as the semester progresses. Field trips will offer first hand on-site investigation of the materials and methods covered in the course.

Grading:

20%	Project  A [Grids and CAD]
55%	Project  B [High-performance House]
05%	Project  C [High-Tech, Heavy Timber]
10%	Final Exam, Quizzes, and Sketch Assignments
10%	Class Participation

General Education Learning Outcomes / Assessment Methods
Learning Outcomes	Assessment Methods
Upon successful completion of this course the student shall be able to:	To evaluate the students’ achievement of the learning objectives, the professor will do the following:
1.       SKILLS; Communication, Distinguish between media and determine the appropriate method and media required to complete a drawing or model.	1.       Review students’ creative process (initial sketches through to the final project) by means of frequent pin-ups and Inspect students’ portfolios for quality of documentation and editing as well as organization.
2.       ETHICS & RELATIONSHIPS; Professional/Personal Development, Develop and apply professional vocabulary.	2.       Assess the students’ use of professional vocabulary during presentations and in their submitted drawings.

 

National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Criteria (SC)/ Assessment Methods

 

	Learning Outcomes		Assessment Methods
	Upon successful completion of this course the student shall be able to: (Realm . Number) title [depth]		To evaluate the students’ achievement of the learning objectives, the professor will do the following:
1	(SC.4) Technical Documentation [introduced]	1	Review students’ final drawings sets and reading notes and assess for an understanding of established and emerging systems, technologies, and assemblies of building construction, and the methods and criteria architects use to assess those technologies against the design, economics, and performance objectives of projects by evaluating: a. How these systems, technologies, and assemblies are integrated in the final projects. b. The comprehensiveness and accuracy of the students’ notes
	How the program ensures that students understand the established and emerging systems, technologies, and assemblies of building construction, and the methods and criteria architects use to assess those technologies against the design, economics, and performance objectives of projects.

 

Course Specific Learning Outcomes / Assessment Methods

	Learning Outcomes		Assessment Methods
	Upon successful completion of this course the student shall be able to:		To evaluate the students’ achievement of the learning objectives, the professor will do the following:
1	Understand the relationship of technology to tectonics and architectural character. (Knowledge)	1	Review students’ drawing and modeling work where students must exhibit their visual representation. Inspect student submissions for quality of drafting including use of line weights, lettering, and proper use of scale.
2	Develop general understanding of some high performance and passive house concepts, including; Insulation, Airtightness, Thermal Bridging, window performance and detailing, and, heat recovery ventilation. (Skill)	2	Review students’ final drawings sets and assess for an understanding of how these systems, technologies, and assemblies are integrated in the final projects.

 

 Class module and submittal outline:

module one

• Topics: structural grids, structure and section
• Submittals: sketches, drawings, CAD files, PDF
• Duration :3-4 weeks

module two

• Topics: high performance high-performance house, and assemblies, wood frame
• Submittals: sketches, drawings, CAD files, PDF, research, quizzes
• Duration :7-8 weeks

module three

• Topics: heavy frame construction, commercial projects, manufactured systems and
• Submittals: sketches, drawings, presentations, quizzes
• Duration :4-5 weeks

 

Weekly Course Schedule: [sequence subject to change by the instructor]

Week		Topic (Discussion)	Class Pinup	Readings	Assignments
	Class #
1	1	Module A (existing building documentation and grid) Introduction – Collect names and pictures of students, assign logo for titleblock	Titleblock & logo	1 Introduction	A01 (site, plans and grid)
	2	Grids – Introduction to grids, explain scale and linetype in CAD	A01 (site, plans and grid)		Sketchbook/notes -four times reviewed
2	3	Print – Introduction to lineweights, ctb files and layouts in CAD	A01 (PDF’s)	2 CONCRETE	A02 (Plans and Elevations)
	4	XREF s Elvations & Sections – Desk crits	A02 (Plans and Elevations)
3	5	Concrete, Mix -Desk crits elevations & sections	A02 (Plans and Elevations)
	6	Drawing standards – Desk crits, open questions	A02 (Plans and Elevations)	3 CONCRETE	A03 Final Module A (site , plans , elevations , 3D model) Sketchbook/notes 2 of 4
4	7	Concrete (PRE-CAST) –  A module, Structural 3D computer model	A03 Final Module A (3D model)
	8	Module B   – High performance house introduction 10 DURA (Solar Decathlon project) – Desk crits, open questions [Module A complete] – sketchbook review including readings and desk crits			B01 Reference material
5	9	Concrete (cast in place) – Desk crits, open questions	B01 Reference material
	10	Foundations – Desk crits, open questions	B01 Reference material	4 WOOD
6	11	Wood – Desk crits, open questions	B01 Reference material B02 all architectural plans		B02 all architectural plans
	12	Joists – Desk crits, open questions	B02 all architectural plans B03 Joist Plans	5 LIGHT FRAME	B03 Joist Plans Sketchbook/notes 3of4
7	13	Beams [Joists part2] – Desk crits, open questions	B03 Joist Plans
	14	Foundation Calculations – workshop In class  –> (basement and ground floor plans)	B03 Joist Plans B04  foundation plan	6 FOUNDATIONS	B04 structural foundation footing plan
8	15	Studs layout – Desk crits, open questions	B04 foundation plan B06 Stud Plans		B05 Stud Plans
	16	Framing types – Desk crits, open questions Midterm grades	B05 Stud Plans	7 EXTERIOR FINISHES	B06  3D Framing
9	17	3D  Framing Model – Desk crits, open questions Midterm grades	B06 3D Framing
	18	Wall sections (Part1) traditional – Desk crits, open questions	B06 3D Framing Elevations and Sections	8 ROOFING	B07 Elevations and Sections B08 Wall sections Sketchbook/notes 4of4 final
10	19	Wall sections (Part2) high performance – Desk crits, open questions	B06 3D Framing B07 Elevations and Sections B08 Wall sections
	20	Roof – Desk crits, open questions	B06 3D Framing B08 Wall sections
11	21	Stairs – Desk crits, open questions	B08 Wall sections
	22	Building Envelope – Desk crits, open questions OR -Fieldtrip (475 /Brooklyn Navy Yard)		9 INTERIOR FINISHES
12	23	Field trip
	24	Project development – Drawing layout & SIPs panels – Desk crits, open questions	B09 final		B09 final
	25	Mechanical – Desk crits, open questions	B09 final
13	26	Redlining Pin up	B09 final   (PDF’s)
	27	Module B end   – Common improvements – Desk crits, open questions		10 MASS TIMBER
14	28	Module C   – Energy model development – Desk crits, open questions	C01 R value calculations		C01 R value calculations
	29	High-tech wood construction – Desk crits, open questions	C01 R value calculations
15	30	– Final Examination – C Final Pin Up