Course Overview
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of architectural building technology through lectures and practical design exercises. The lecture component covers key architectural concepts using examples of notable buildings and precedents, while also introducing essential industry standards for architectural technologists. Lab sessions involve design exercises for small buildings that simulate real-world scenarios, addressing design documentation and the integration of building systems, materials, codes and regulations, and environmental strategies. The course aims to equip students with foundational knowledge and skills to develop innovative, contextually responsive architectural designs from preliminary concepts to early design stages.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
6.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:
- Study basic design principles and relevant architectural precedents in recent architectural history.
- Investigate a contemporary architect or architectural firm and produce a written report that includes an in-depth architectural analysis of a representative project.
- Develop a design proposal for a real-world urban project from preliminary to design stage solutions, responding to specific site conditions that meets the client's functional and spatial requirements, and that respond to site issues, including views, slope, orientation, vegetation, etc.
- Propose environmental strategies suitable for the project type and location based on passive and active design strategies.
- Review building codes and zoning bylaws as they apply to existing and proposed projects.
- Generate a full set of design drawings for a residential project as per industry standards using a variety of media to represent ideas from conceptual design to presentation techniques.
- Prepare presentation materials for a building design proposal using a variety of architectural media, including sketching, drawing documentation, architectural renderings, and model-making techniques.
- Construct scale physical models of the student design concept and the final design proposal using manual and/or digital fabrication techniques.
- Conduct design reviews thorough individual tutorials, group discussions, and public presentations of architectural design proposals to a jury composed of practicing professionals and city planners.
Effective as of Fall 2025
Related Programs
Architectural Technology 1 (BLDG 3000) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Construction and the Environment
- Architectural and Building Technology
Diploma Full-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.