Reserved readings as required and class notes

General Course Description

The course is aimed at providing a fundamental understanding of the manner in which buildings are designed and built, based on the essential criteria of occupants' physical, functional and psychological well-being. Students will be guided through the complex array of building systems, sub-systems, components and materials which compose a work of architecture and provide for human comfort and safety. An integral approach to technical design will be adopted, whereby the building structures, enclosures and services are examined both independently and in the manner in which they interact and affect one another.

It is intended as a transfer course, applying calculations in pure science and mathematics to the realm of building technology. Construction alternatives and design methods will be presented for various segments of the building fabric, including structure (foundations and superstructures), envelopes (basements, walls, windows and roofs) and services (HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems). Students will be asked to design structures, calculate heat and vapor flow through wall sections, draft building sections and details, and analyze energy requirements for a specific building. The interior building environment will be studied in terms of thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics.

Grading

Final grades will be calculated as follows:

Assignments 40%
In class tests 25%
Personal project 35%

Total 100%