ARCH 1231 BUILDING TECHNOLOGY I

Course Description: An introduction to basic materials of construction and the fundamental principals of hand drafting and system analysis. The coursework includes surveying existing conditions, development of plans, elevations, and sections, and basic details as well as the study of material properties and applications.  The course studies Wall, Floor, Roof and Structural systems, as well as the basics of construction, stairs, loads, and more.

Credits / Hours: 3 CREDITS (1 lecture hour and 4 lab/studio hours)

Section Number: HD65

Prerequisites: ARCH 1101 Introduction to Architecture.  However if you have not taken Foundations 1, please tell the professor, as that is also strongly recommended.

Course context: This course is positioned between the Intro to Architecture course and the higher-level building technology courses. This course will prepare you for further exploration of building technology, technical documentation, and understanding of structure, materials, and building assemblies.

OpenLab / CUNYFirst: This course is a CUNY OpenLab course.  All students are required to “join” the course with their CUNYFirst ID’s at the start of the class.  This is mandatory.  All class announcements and emails and grades are posted through Openlab – and ONLY through OpenLab.  All workspaces will be in MIRO and invitations will ONLY be sent to CUNY Email addresses

Class Meetings

Online Space(s):

 

Learning Outcomes

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:
Develop Knowledge from the range of architectural disciplinary concepts presented in the course. Review student notebooks, observe student participation in class discussions, and review student applications of disciplinary concepts in drawing assignments.
Use the texts assigned in the course as well as background knowledge from within the discipline in order to Draw Inferences from the material. Use a pre and post written exam to assess students’ development and achievement over the course of the semester.
Apply Information from the reading within the discipline. Review student applications of disciplinary concepts in drawing assignments.

 

National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Students Performance Criteria (SPC) / 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:
4. Understand the fundamentals of formal ordering systems and the capacity to inform two- and three- dimensional design. 4. Review student drawing assignments with implementation of the organizing grid.
5. Understand some of the basic principles used in the appropriate selection of interior and exterior construction materials, finishes, products, components, and assemblies based on their inherent performance, including environmental impact and reuse. 5. Review student notebooks and drawing assignments with application of material properties, rules of thumb, and performance analysis.

 

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:
6. Layout plan drawings by hand without digital tools. 6. Review student plan assignments for accuracy and application of line weights and drawing conventions.
7. Understand and apply basic principles of structural characteristics of materials following rules of thumb. 7. Review student drawing assignments for accurate application of rules of thumb to sizing structural elements for a specific span.

Teaching/Learning Methods

  • This course combines class discussions based on the readings, case study investigations, and technical drawing labs.
  • Students are required to maintain a combined notebook/sketchbook for all readings and case study investigations.
  • Students will learn to develop rigorous architectural drawings by hard line scaled hand drafting.

Technology + Home Setup Requirements

  • Students need access to a device for video conference participation in the course meetings using Zoom.
  • Students need to have a home drafting set-up to make the sophisticated drawings for this course.  The work cannot be completed without it. Use this link to a PDF of the Drawing supplies needed: DrawingDraftingSupplies

Submission Formatting Requirements:

Assignments will be due before class – loaded up on to MIRO – Link will be sent to the class

Reading Notes + Sketches MUST be submitted as a SINGLE PDF multipage file for each reading topic in required list. No JPGS, No Multiple-page files.  Nicely photographed, straight, white background – just like for other Architecture classes. You must not touch or edit another students files

NOTE: Any submission not conforming to the above standards will NOT be accepted and must be resubmitted.

Schedule

Topics will be covered in the order below unless otherwise noted during the semester. For more information see the detailed schedule on the Schedule page.

  • Module 1 Drawings: Geometry and Order Diagram, Case study floor Plan, Section, and Elevation.
  • Module 1 Reading Topics + Notes/Sketches:
    • The Building + Building Systems
    • Means of Egress
    • Stairs
  • Module 2 Drawings: Exterior Wall Details: Plan, Section, Axon
  • Module 2 Reading Topics + Notes/Sketches:
    • Building Materials
    • Masonry Exterior Wall Assemblies
    • Moisture and Thermal Performance
    • Windows
  • Module 3 Drawings: Structural System Study
  • Module 3 Reading Topics + Notes/Sketches: 
    • Structural Forces and Components
    • Structural Systems (Steel)
    • Structural Systems (Concrete, Precast, Wood)

Grading Policy

BY MODULE: 

  • 25%     Module 1: 4 Drawings + Sketches
  • 25%     Module 2: 3 Drawings + Sketches
  • 25%     Module 3: 3 Drawings + Sketches + Calculations
  • 25%     Reading Notes + Sketches:  (50% of the reading notes for a C maximum)

Class Etiquette & Netiquette

All students are expected to attend all class sessions fully. It is HIGHLY preferred, but not required, for all students to have live video turned on during class time. I believe we build a better, more engaging community together when we can see each other during class.

All students are asked to manage their audio such that background noise does not distract from the class discussion or presentation.  Students should support and help each other, respect each other without shaming.  

Group presentations are a required aspect of this course. All students are expected to communicate fully with their group as required to prepare for all presentations. All students are expected to fully participate in the presentations.

MIRO is a collaborative workspace.  Please do not touch or edit another person’s work. 

Diversity and Inclusive Education

This course welcomes students from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. In accordance with the City Tech and CUNY missions, this course intends to provide an atmosphere of inclusion, respect, and the mutual appreciation of differences so that together we can create an environment in which all students can flourish. It is the instructor’s goal to provide materials and activities that are welcoming and accommodating of diversity in all of its forms, including race, gender identity and presentation, ethnicity, national origin, religion, cultural identity, socioeconomic background, sexuality and sexual orientation, ability, neurodivergence, age, and etc. Your instructor is committed to equity and actively seeks ways to challenge institutional racism, sexism, ableism and other forms of prejudice. Your input is encouraged and appreciated. If a dynamic that you observe or experience in the course concerns you, you may respectfully inform your instructor without fear of how your concerns will affect your grade.  Let your instructor know how to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally, or for other students or student groups. We acknowledge that NYCCT is located on the traditional homelands of the Canarsie and Lenape peoples.

Attendance/Participation

Absences must be excused in advance, per CUNY Policy.  Students missing up to 1 hour per class are Late.  Students missing more than 1 hour are Absent

Academic Integrity Policy

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. More information about the College’s policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the College Catalog. 

Examples of academic dishonesty in the this course include but are not limited to:  tracing other student’s work, copying other student’s notes, submitting or presenting work developed in a previous semester, submitting another student’s work as your own.  All work must be 100% authentic to you

No work can be copied – whether from another student in the class or from a shared example.  No work can be submitted which was created for another class, or for a student who took THIS class previously.  All work MUST show construction lines.  For instance – if an Axon is derived from a Plan, the plan and the elevating lines must be shown.  NO Exceptions

Course Resources

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