Architectural Construction Course

Lesson 1 • Regulatory and Code Framework

Introduces building codes, zoning regulations, and permitting processes as governing constraints. Students learn to navigate compliance requirements throughout a project.

Lesson 2 • Construction Project Lifecycle

Traces a project from concept through occupancy across defined phases. Students understand how decisions in early phases affect construction outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Roles and Responsibilities on Site

Maps the professional roles from architect to subcontractor within a project team. Clarifies accountability structures essential for coordinated construction work.

Lesson 4 • Safety Culture and Site Protocols

Establishes foundational safety principles and personal protective equipment standards. Connects safe practices to legal obligations and project efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Masonry: Brick, Block, and Stone

Analyzes masonry units, mortar types, and bond patterns for walls and facades. Establishes how masonry contributes to load-bearing and aesthetic functions.

Lesson 2 • Concrete: Composition and Behavior

Covers mix design, curing, and structural behavior of concrete. Connects material science to practical decisions in foundation and structural work.

Lesson 3 • Thermal and Moisture Control Materials

Introduces insulation types, vapor barriers, and waterproofing membranes. Connects material selection to building envelope performance and energy efficiency.

Lesson 4 • Timber and Engineered Wood Products

Reviews sawn lumber grades, engineered wood panels, and mass timber systems. Students evaluate wood's structural capacity and moisture-related limitations.

Lesson 1 • Drawing Types and Sheet Organization

Identifies the standard drawing types within a construction document set and their hierarchy. Students navigate sheet sets efficiently to locate critical project information.

Lesson 2 • Sections, Details, and Assemblies

Teaches how to read and draw building sections and large-scale construction details. Students connect detail drawings to overall building assembly logic.

Lesson 3 • Specifications and Project Manuals

Explains specification formats, divisions, and their relationship to drawings. Students use specifications to define material quality, installation standards, and testing requirements.

Lesson 4 • Digital Drawing Tools and BIM Basics

Introduces CAD drafting and Building Information Modeling as production tools. Students create basic architectural drawings using industry-standard digital workflows.

Lesson 1 • Below-Grade Waterproofing and Drainage

Addresses waterproofing strategies, drainage boards, and sump systems for below-grade spaces. Students design moisture management details that protect foundations from hydrostatic pressure.

Lesson 2 • Soil Investigation and Site Analysis

Explains geotechnical investigation methods and soil classification for construction. Students interpret boring logs and soil reports to inform foundation design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Deep Foundation Systems

Covers driven piles, drilled shafts, and caissons for poor soil or heavy load conditions. Students select deep foundation types based on load transfer mechanisms and site constraints.

Lesson 4 • Shallow Foundation Systems

Examines spread footings, mat foundations, and grade beams for low-to-medium load conditions. Students size shallow foundations based on soil bearing capacity and load distribution.

Lesson 1 • Long-Span and Special Structural Systems

Introduces trusses, space frames, arches, and tensile structures for large open spans. Students evaluate system selection based on span, load, and architectural intent.

Lesson 2 • Structural Loads and Load Paths

Defines dead, live, wind, seismic, and snow loads and how they travel through a building. Students trace load paths from roof to foundation to verify structural continuity.

Lesson 3 • Wood Light-Frame Construction

Covers platform and balloon framing, stud walls, and floor and roof framing assemblies. Students detail wood-frame connections that meet structural and code requirements.

Lesson 4 • Concrete Structural Systems

Covers cast-in-place and precast concrete frames, flat plates, and shear walls. Students understand reinforcement placement and formwork requirements for concrete structures.

Lesson 1 • Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems

Covers EIFS, continuous insulation strategies, and their integration with the air and water barriers. Students detail exterior insulation systems that eliminate thermal bridging.

Lesson 2 • Roofing Systems and Assemblies

Analyzes low-slope and steep-slope roofing systems, membranes, and drainage design. Students specify roofing assemblies that address structural loading, waterproofing, and insulation.

Lesson 3 • Exterior Wall Assemblies and Cladding

Covers cavity wall, curtain wall, and rainscreen cladding systems with their drainage details. Students select and detail wall assemblies appropriate to structural system and climate.

Lesson 4 • Windows, Doors, and Glazing Systems

Examines fenestration performance metrics, frame types, and installation details. Students specify glazing systems that balance daylighting, thermal performance, and structural requirements.

Lesson 1 • Ceiling Systems and Soffits

Reviews suspended acoustic tile, gypsum, and specialty ceiling systems and their support structures. Students coordinate ceiling planes with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing above.

Lesson 2 • Flooring Materials and Installation

Compares resilient, hard-surface, carpet, and raised-access flooring systems. Students select flooring based on durability, maintenance, acoustic, and subfloor compatibility criteria.

Lesson 3 • Interior Partition Systems

Examines metal stud, wood stud, and demountable partition systems for interior spaces. Students detail partitions that meet fire, acoustic, and structural performance requirements.

Lesson 4 • Paint, Coatings, and Wall Finishes

Examines paint systems, specialty coatings, and applied wall finishes for interior surfaces. Students specify finish systems based on substrate, use, and maintenance requirements.

Lesson 1 • Site Observation and Quality Control

Covers site visit protocols, observation reports, and nonconformance documentation. Students conduct structured site observations that verify work conforms to contract documents.

Lesson 2 • Project Closeout and Commissioning

Guides students through punch lists, substantial completion, and systems commissioning. Students produce closeout documentation packages that transfer the building to the owner.

Lesson 3 • Submittals, RFIs, and Field Communication

Establishes workflows for shop drawings, product data, samples, and requests for information. Students manage submittal logs and RFI responses to maintain design intent in the field.

Lesson 4 • Construction Contracts and Procurement

Analyzes contract types, general conditions, and procurement strategies for construction projects. Students identify contractual obligations and risk allocation between owner, architect, and contractor.