Introduction to Architecture and Design

In order to be a successful practicing Architect you must understand the various drawings you will ultimately be responsible for creating. After all, how do you take your vision and have it achieved in built form. You have to create a set of graphic instructions which a builder or contractor can than build.  Students will understand the various Architectural drawings that they will encounter in the field of Architecture and Design. These drawings are used in every type of building project and utilized across multiple disciplines within the context of the building industry.

In this lecture students will learn about energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, and sustainable design.  Because we live in a world with limited resources, Sustainability in design has come to the forefront of design. You must design in an environmentally sensitive approach. This lesson will give you an overview of many of those strategies and technologies.

The path of becoming an Architect involves many parts. You will not just be designing buildings for the sake of aesthetics but buildings that deal with everyday living. What this means, is you must be cognizant as a designer of what is happening around you and how the environment affects your building and how your building will affect the environment.  Students will understand what contemporary issues Architecture is addressing today and how Architecture and Design can shape the outcome.

I would like to discuss your path to becoming a licensed professional one day. This may not be an immediate concern in your Architecture journey, however I felt it best to at least touch on it now so you are aware of it, and if you are already working in an Architects office you can begin to document your experience hours.  In this lesson students will learn about the process involved with becoming a licensed Architect.

We will be covering various consultants you can utilize in completing Architectural projects one day as a practicing Architect. Many of the projects you will be designing are very complex and it would require you to bring in other professionals with expertise in those specific disciplines to help complete the project. In order to work alongside these consultants you must understand what they do and at what phase of the project it makes sense to have them join the process. Much of what you do will build upon what they will do in that process.  Students will understand the various consultants Architects may use in the course of their career and on any given number of projects. They will gain an understanding of what each of these consultants do and how they aid in the successful completion of a built project.

As we progress in this course we will discuss construction and various types of building that an Architect will encounter as they normally will in the profession.  Students will learn about some of the most commonly used Construction Systems in the building industry. These will cover various aspects of a built structure and the purpose is for students to gain a general a base knowledge of these systems.

We will be discussing how to prepare, format, and deliver a portfolio. This step is necessary in attaining employment and is a way to discuss the ins and outs of a powerful tool which will ultimately help you express who you are as a designer and your added value to an organization.  Students will learn the importance of Portfolio Preparation, transferring to a university Architecture program, applying for a job, and preparing a resume or geared towards a career path in Architecture and Design.

In today's world their is much more you can do with a degree in Architecture. We will go over other Professions you can go into with a foundational education in Architecture. It is important we discuss these possible career paths and how you will be prepared or better suited for them. Of course many of these paths would require additional supplemental education or training but Architecture will give you a good base to start from. Students will learn about and be able to identify the primary reasons people choose or not choose architecture as a profession.

In this lecture students will learn about the Design Phases. Initial Contact, Preliminary Design Studies, Initial Working Drawing, Final Design Considerations, Completion of Working Drawings, Permit Procedures, and Job Supervision. It is important for us to understand the steps involved in a typical design project. How do you start, see the project thru completion, and how to you end. Every project will be different but the strategy, steps, and framework is the same for the most part. It is good for students to go thru this process and understand it as they will be working with it in industry one day.