Architect design course

Lesson 1 • Core Architectural Vocabulary

Introduces essential terms covering form, space, structure, and materiality. Shared vocabulary enables precise communication in critiques and documentation.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Design Composition

Covers balance, rhythm, hierarchy, proportion, and unity as compositional tools. Students apply these principles to analyze and generate architectural form.

Lesson 3 • History and Evolution of Architecture

Traces built form from ancient civilizations through modernism, establishing historical context. Provides the timeline framework referenced throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Presentation Drawing and Layout

Combines drawings, diagrams, and text into cohesive presentation sheets. Teaches graphic hierarchy and layout principles for design communication.

Lesson 2 • Freehand Sketching Techniques

Trains rapid ideation through line control, proportion, and gestural sketching. Sketching is the primary tool for capturing and testing early design ideas.

Lesson 3 • Digital Drawing and CAD Basics

Applies vector-based drafting tools to produce precise architectural drawings digitally. Establishes file organization and layer management habits used in practice.

Lesson 4 • Three-Dimensional Representation

Introduces axonometric and perspective projection for spatial communication. Bridges flat drawings and the three-dimensional experience of architecture.

Lesson 1 • Urban and Neighborhood Context

Examines street patterns, building typologies, density, and land use surrounding the site. Contextual understanding shapes massing, setbacks, and facade character.

Lesson 2 • Cultural and Historical Context

Investigates the social history, cultural identity, and heritage significance of a place. Grounds design responses in meaning beyond purely physical conditions.

Lesson 3 • Synthesizing Site Analysis into Design

Translates raw site data into design opportunities, constraints, and guiding principles. Produces a site analysis document that directly drives the design brief.

Lesson 4 • Site Survey and Documentation

Covers methods for measuring, mapping, and photographing a site accurately. Accurate documentation is the foundation of context-responsive design.

Lesson 1 • Space Requirements and Area Calculations

Establishes methods for determining room sizes, adjacencies, and gross-to-net area ratios. Quantitative programming ensures the design fits the budget and site.

Lesson 2 • Functional Relationships and Bubble Diagrams

Visualizes spatial adjacencies and flow using bubble and relationship diagrams. Diagrams reveal organizational logic before committing to physical form.

Lesson 3 • Writing the Architectural Brief

Structures all programmatic findings into a written brief that guides design decisions. A clear brief aligns client expectations and design team efforts.

Lesson 1 • Massing and Spatial Organization

Develops three-dimensional massing strategies that respond to program, site, and concept. Massing decisions establish the building's fundamental spatial and formal character.

Lesson 2 • Plan Organization and Circulation

Translates massing into floor plan layouts that satisfy program and movement requirements. Efficient circulation is a primary driver of plan quality and user experience.

Lesson 3 • Schematic Design Package Preparation

Assembles concept statement, plans, sections, elevations, and models into a schematic set. The package communicates design intent clearly to clients and consultants.

Lesson 4 • Concept Generation Methods

Introduces ideation strategies including precedent study, analogy, and abstraction. Multiple concept generation methods prevent premature design fixation.

Lesson 1 • Environmental Control Systems

Introduces heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting systems and their spatial requirements. System integration affects ceiling heights, floor-to-floor dimensions, and facade design.

Lesson 2 • Building Envelope and Waterproofing

Examines wall assemblies, roofing systems, and moisture management at the building skin. Envelope performance determines energy efficiency and long-term durability.

Lesson 3 • Structural Systems in Architecture

Covers load paths, structural typologies, and the architectural implications of structural choice. Structural literacy enables design decisions that are both expressive and buildable.

Lesson 4 • Accessibility and Universal Design

Applies universal design principles to circulation, entries, restrooms, and vertical access. Inclusive design is a baseline requirement in all contemporary building projects.

Lesson 1 • Construction Drawing Set Organization

Establishes the standard sheet sequence, numbering, and content of a full drawing set. Organized documentation reduces contractor errors and construction administration burden.

Lesson 2 • BIM-Based Documentation Workflow

Applies Building Information Modeling to produce coordinated, data-rich construction documents. BIM workflows reduce errors through automatic coordination across all drawing views.

Lesson 3 • Detailed Plan and Section Drawing

Advances schematic plans and sections to construction-level precision and annotation. Detailed drawings communicate exact dimensions, materials, and assembly conditions.

Lesson 4 • Architectural Detailing Principles

Covers the logic of connection, transition, and termination at material and system junctions. Good detailing resolves performance, durability, and aesthetic concerns simultaneously.

Lesson 1 • Regulatory Approvals and Permitting

Introduces the process of obtaining building permits and navigating regulatory review. Understanding approval workflows prevents project delays and compliance failures.

Lesson 2 • Professional Ethics and Responsibility

Examines the ethical obligations architects hold toward clients, users, and the public. Ethical practice is the foundation of professional licensure and public trust.

Lesson 3 • Project Management Fundamentals

Covers project phases, fee structures, scheduling, and consultant coordination in practice. Project management skills are essential for delivering design work on time and budget.

Lesson 4 • Design Presentation Skills

Builds verbal, visual, and narrative skills for presenting design work to diverse audiences. Effective presentation is as important as design quality in professional practice.