Architectural Technologist Course

Lesson 1 • History of Building Technology

Traces the evolution of construction methods from ancient to contemporary practice. Provides historical context for modern technical standards.

Lesson 2 • Regulatory and Standards Framework

Introduces building regulations, codes, and standards that govern construction. Establishes compliance awareness as a core professional responsibility.

Lesson 3 • The Architectural Technologist Role

Defines the profession's scope, duties, and position within the construction industry. Grounds all subsequent technical study in professional identity.

Lesson 1 • Drawing Standards and Conventions

Introduces line weights, symbols, scales, and notation systems used in technical drawings. Ensures all subsequent drawings meet professional communication standards.

Lesson 2 • Detail Drawing Production

Focuses on large-scale construction details that communicate assembly and material interfaces. Directly supports specification writing and contractor communication.

Lesson 3 • 3D Modeling Fundamentals

Introduces three-dimensional digital modeling to support design visualization and coordination. Prepares students for BIM workflows introduced in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Orthographic Projection Techniques

Teaches plans, sections, and elevations as the primary modes of architectural representation. Builds spatial reasoning essential for technical design work.

Lesson 1 • Masonry and Concrete Construction

Examines brick, block, stone, and concrete as primary structural and enclosure materials. Connects material behavior to detailing decisions in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Timber and Steel Framing Systems

Analyzes light-frame timber and structural steel as primary framing solutions. Establishes structural logic needed for coordinating with engineers.

Lesson 3 • Material Properties and Selection

Covers mechanical, thermal, acoustic, and durability properties of common materials. Provides the evaluative framework used throughout construction detailing.

Lesson 4 • Roofing and Cladding Systems

Covers pitched, flat, and green roof assemblies alongside external cladding options. Links material choice to weatherproofing and thermal performance.

Lesson 1 • Energy Modeling and Compliance

Introduces energy assessment methods and compliance pathways for regulatory approval. Integrates thermal, lighting, and mechanical data into a performance model.

Lesson 2 • Thermal Performance and Insulation

Covers heat transfer mechanisms and insulation strategies for energy-efficient envelopes. Directly informs U-value calculations and specification decisions.

Lesson 3 • Moisture Control and Airtightness

Addresses condensation risk, vapor control, and airtight construction detailing. Prevents building fabric failure caused by moisture-related defects.

Lesson 4 • Daylighting and Solar Design

Analyzes solar geometry, daylight factors, and shading strategies for occupant comfort. Connects passive solar design to energy reduction outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Lateral Stability Systems

Addresses wind and seismic lateral forces and the structural systems that resist them. Prepares students to coordinate bracing and core elements in building layouts.

Lesson 2 • Structural Elements and Behavior

Examines beams, columns, slabs, and walls under applied loads. Enables technologists to read and annotate structural engineer drawings accurately.

Lesson 3 • Forces, Loads, and Equilibrium

Introduces static forces, load types, and equilibrium as the basis of structural analysis. Provides the conceptual foundation for all structural coordination tasks.

Lesson 4 • Foundation Systems

Covers strip, pad, raft, and pile foundations and their selection criteria. Connects substructure decisions to site conditions and superstructure loads.

Lesson 1 • Parametric Modeling Techniques

Applies parametric BIM authoring tools to create intelligent building elements. Builds model accuracy and efficiency through family and component creation.

Lesson 2 • BIM Collaboration and Workflows

Manages multi-disciplinary BIM collaboration using shared platforms and protocols. Prepares students to lead BIM coordination on medium-scale projects.

Lesson 3 • BIM Concepts and Standards

Defines BIM levels, information requirements, and industry standards for model delivery. Establishes the framework governing all BIM production activities.

Lesson 4 • Model Coordination and Clash Detection

Coordinates architectural, structural, and MEP models to identify and resolve conflicts. Reduces construction-phase errors through proactive digital coordination.

Lesson 1 • Regulatory Submission Documentation

Prepares documentation packages for building permit and planning approval submissions. Applies regulatory knowledge to produce compliant application sets.

Lesson 2 • Construction Detail Development

Advances detail drawing skills to produce fully annotated, buildable construction details. Integrates material, structural, and physics knowledge into coordinated details.

Lesson 3 • Written Specification Production

Teaches the structure, language, and content of construction specifications. Aligns specifications with drawings to eliminate ambiguity for contractors.

Lesson 4 • Post-Contract Documentation

Covers site instruction, variation, and as-built documentation during construction. Maintains documentation integrity through the construction phase.

Lesson 1 • Project Stages and Procurement

Maps standard project stages and procurement routes to the technologist's role at each phase. Provides the delivery framework for all subsequent contract administration tasks.

Lesson 2 • Contract Types and Obligations

Examines standard construction contract forms and the obligations they impose on parties. Enables technologists to administer contracts accurately and avoid disputes.

Lesson 3 • Dispute Resolution and Risk Management

Addresses common construction disputes and the mechanisms used to resolve them. Builds risk awareness to prevent disputes through proactive documentation.

Lesson 4 • Site Inspection and Quality Control

Develops skills for conducting site inspections and enforcing quality standards. Connects technical documentation to on-site verification of workmanship.