Basic Architecture Course

Lesson 1 • A Brief History of Architectural Styles

Key historical periods and their defining formal characteristics are surveyed. Students connect stylistic evolution to social and technological change.

Lesson 2 • Core Architectural Concepts and Vocabulary

Essential terms—form, space, structure, and context—are introduced with precise definitions. Shared vocabulary enables accurate communication throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Defining Architecture and Its Scope

Architecture is defined as the art and science of designing built spaces. This section grounds students in the discipline's breadth before technical content begins.

Lesson 1 • Graphic Presentation and Layout

Composition, hierarchy, and graphic clarity are applied to design presentations. Students assemble drawings into coherent, professional-quality sheets.

Lesson 2 • Fundamentals of Architectural Drawing

Line weight, scale, and orthographic projection are introduced as the basis of architectural graphics. These conventions underpin every drawing type covered later.

Lesson 3 • Plans, Sections, and Elevations

The three primary orthographic views are defined and practised. Students learn what each view communicates and how the views relate to one another.

Lesson 4 • Introduction to Digital Drawing Tools

Computer-aided drafting concepts are introduced as a complement to hand drawing. Students understand the workflow from sketch to digital documentation.

Lesson 1 • Schematic Design and Spatial Organisation

Bubble diagrams and adjacency matrices are used to organise spaces before formal design begins. Students translate abstract relationships into preliminary floor plan arrangements.

Lesson 2 • Understanding the Design Brief

A design brief is analysed as the primary driver of architectural decisions. Students extract programmatic requirements and identify constraints before designing.

Lesson 3 • Design Development and Iteration

Schematic ideas are refined through successive iterations responding to feedback and testing. Students practise evaluating and improving their own design decisions.

Lesson 4 • Design Communication and Presentation

Completed design ideas are communicated through drawings, models, and verbal narrative. Students present a cohesive design package to a simulated client audience.

Lesson 1 • Properties and Selection of Building Materials

Physical, mechanical, and environmental properties of materials are examined as selection criteria. Students evaluate materials against functional and aesthetic design requirements.

Lesson 2 • Steel and Metal Systems

Structural steel and metal cladding systems are introduced with attention to connections and fabrication. Students recognise steel's role in long-span and high-rise construction.

Lesson 3 • Timber and Light-Frame Construction

Wood as a structural and finish material is explored from species selection to framing systems. Students understand platform framing, engineered lumber, and mass timber.

Lesson 4 • Masonry, Concrete, and Stone

Traditional and modern heavy materials are studied in terms of structural behaviour and detailing. Students identify appropriate applications and common construction details.

Lesson 1 • Structural Systems in Design Integration

Structural choice is framed as a design decision with spatial and aesthetic consequences. Students evaluate structural options for a given design scenario.

Lesson 2 • Beams, Columns, and Frames

Linear structural elements are studied in terms of behaviour under bending and axial load. Students sketch structural diagrams and identify failure modes.

Lesson 3 • Forces, Loads, and Structural Behaviour

Dead, live, wind, and seismic loads are defined and their effects on structures explained. Students develop a qualitative sense of how forces flow through a building.

Lesson 4 • Arches, Vaults, and Shell Structures

Curved structural forms are introduced as efficient alternatives to rectilinear systems. Students trace the historical and contemporary use of arches and shells.

Lesson 1 • Acoustic Design and Noise Control

Sound transmission, absorption, and room acoustics are examined as design performance criteria. Students apply acoustic principles to partition design and room layout.

Lesson 2 • Plumbing, Drainage, and Water Systems

Potable water supply, drainage, and rainwater management are covered as essential building services. Students locate and size basic plumbing systems within a floor plan.

Lesson 3 • Thermal Comfort and HVAC Fundamentals

Thermal comfort parameters and mechanical heating, ventilation, and cooling systems are introduced. Students understand how HVAC systems are sized and integrated into building design.

Lesson 4 • Daylighting and Artificial Lighting

Daylighting strategies and electric lighting systems are studied for visual comfort and energy impact. Students design window placement and lighting layouts for a simple space.

Lesson 1 • Reading and Analysing a Site

Site analysis methods reveal opportunities and constraints that shape design decisions. Students produce an annotated site analysis drawing as a design prerequisite.

Lesson 2 • Zoning, Land Use, and Regulatory Frameworks

Land use regulations, setbacks, height limits, and density controls are examined as design constraints. Students interpret a zoning diagram and identify allowable building envelopes.

Lesson 3 • Site Layout and Building Placement

Building footprint, orientation, and open space are organised in response to site analysis findings. Students test multiple placement strategies before selecting a preferred scheme.

Lesson 4 • Circulation, Access, and Wayfinding

Pedestrian, vehicular, and emergency access routes are designed as part of the site plan. Students apply wayfinding principles to create legible site circulation.

Lesson 1 • Integrated Design Development

Structural, environmental, and spatial systems are coordinated within a single design scheme. Students resolve conflicts between systems and document design decisions.

Lesson 2 • Career Pathways and Continuing Education

Licensure pathways, internship structures, and specialisation options are mapped for students entering the profession. Students create a personal development plan aligned with their goals.

Lesson 3 • Project Programming and Feasibility

A full project brief is developed from client goals, site data, and regulatory constraints. Students produce a program document that guides all subsequent design decisions.

Lesson 4 • Construction Documentation Basics

The purpose and content of a construction document set are introduced at a foundational level. Students assemble a simplified drawing package sufficient for a small project.