Architectural Technology

Program Overview

The Architectural Technology program at this institution is a three-year advanced diploma program that prepares students for careers as architectural technologists. The program emphasizes project-based learning in a studio environment, covering topics such as architectural design, technical documentation, and building regulations. Graduates will gain practical experience through a co-op program and are qualified to work in various settings, including architectural firms, engineering firms, and construction companies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Architectural Technology is a three-year Ontario college advanced diploma program. Students will learn the principles of building design, contemporary building methods, and structural and environmental engineering. Graduates of this program will bring their knowledge and experience through a co-op program to their career as an architectural technologist.

Outline:

Program Content:

The Architectural Technology program prioritizes project-based learning in a studio environment, offering students knowledge of Architectural Design, Technical Documentation, Engineered Building Systems, Planning, Building Regulations, Building Science, and Project Delivery. Students will engage in the Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) of small and large buildings of various types and use a variety of software such as Revit and AutoCAD to complete those documents.

Program Structure:

The program consists of six academic terms and three paid work terms over a 3-year period.

Individual Modules with Descriptions:

Academic Level 1

• ARCH-1001 Architectural Design 1: Introduction to the elements and principles of design as they relate to Small Buildings.
• BIMM-1003 Architectural Software 1: Development of student's knowledge of Building Integrated Modelling (BIM) techniques and using BIM software.
• WRIT-1039 Reason & Writing 1-Technology: Introduction to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level.
• DRAF-1059 Architectural Fundamentals 1: Development of skills necessary to read and produce architectural working drawings.
• MATS-1002 Materials & Methods 1: Introduction to common building materials and methods used in the architectural, engineering, and construction industry.
• MATH-1222 Statics: Study of forces, types of force systems, vectors, resultants, components, equilibrants, simple structures, method of joints, force diagrams, moments, equilibrium, beam and truss reactions, concentrated loads, and distributed loads.
• ARCH-1006 History of Architecture: Study of architectural development from ancient and classical architecture to post-renaissance, international, and modern architecture.
• MATH-1036 Mathematics in Technology 1: Exploration of scientific notation, estimation, basic algebra, trigonometry and radian measure applications, solutions of right triangles, and mathematical applications in Architectural, Civil, and Construction Technology.

Academic Level 2

• ARCH-1002 Architectural Design 2: Continuation of ARCH-1001, focusing on the design of small commercial buildings.
• BIMM-1004 Architectural Software 2: Advanced BIM techniques and software applications.
• WRIT-1040 Reason & Writing 2-Technology: Development of critical thinking, research, and writing skills through the analysis and evaluation of technical texts.
• DRAF-1060 Architectural Fundamentals 2: Advanced architectural drawing techniques and standards.
• MATS-1003 Materials & Methods 2: Continuation of MATS-1002, focusing on the properties and applications of building materials.
• MATH-1037 Mathematics in Technology 2: Exploration of vectors, matrices, determinants, systems of linear equations, and applications in Architectural, Civil, and Construction Technology.
• ARCH-1007 Building Science 1: Introduction to the principles of building science, including heat transfer, moisture control, and acoustics.
• ARCH-1008 Building Regulations 1: Overview of building codes and regulations, including the Ontario Building Code.

Academic Level 3

• ARCH-2001 Architectural Design 3: Design of medium-sized commercial buildings, including site planning and building envelope design.
• BIMM-2003 Architectural Software 3: Advanced BIM applications, including parametric modeling and energy analysis.
• WRIT-2039 Technical Writing for Technology: Development of technical writing skills for the architectural technology profession.
• DRAF-2059 Architectural Detailing: Advanced architectural detailing techniques and standards.
• MATS-2002 Materials & Methods 3: Continuation of MATS-1003, focusing on the selection and specification of building materials.
• MATH-2036 Mathematics in Technology 3: Exploration of calculus, differential equations, and applications in Architectural, Civil, and Construction Technology.
• ARCH-2002 Building Science 2: Advanced building science topics, including fire safety, sustainability, and energy efficiency.
• ARCH-2003 Building Regulations 2: Advanced building codes and regulations, including the National Building Code of Canada.

Academic Level 4

• ARCH-2004 Architectural Design 4: Design of large-scale commercial buildings, including high-rise buildings and mixed-use developments.
• BIMM-2004 Architectural Software 4: Advanced BIM applications, including 4D and 5D modeling.
• WRIT-2040 Professional Communication for Technology: Development of professional communication skills for the architectural technology profession.
• DRAF-2060 Architectural Working Drawings: Production of complete sets of architectural working drawings.
• MATS-2003 Materials & Methods 4: Continuation of MATS-2002, focusing on the durability and performance of building materials.
• ARCH-2005 Building Science 3: Advanced building science topics, including building envelope design and energy modeling.
• ARCH-2006 Building Regulations 3: Advanced building codes and regulations, including specialized codes and standards.

Academic Level 5

• ARCH-3001 Architectural Design 5: Capstone design project, involving the design of a complex building project.
• BIMM-3003 Architectural Software 5: Advanced BIM applications, including virtual reality and augmented reality.
• WRIT-3039 Technical Report Writing for Technology: Development of technical report writing skills for the architectural technology profession.
• DRAF-3059 Architectural Specifications: Production of complete sets of architectural specifications.
• MATS-3002 Materials & Methods 5: Continuation of MATS-2003, focusing on the sustainability and life-cycle assessment of building materials.
• ARCH-3002 Building Science 4: Advanced building science topics, including building commissioning and post-occupancy evaluation.
• ARCH-3003 Building Regulations 4: Advanced building codes and regulations, including specialized codes and standards.

Academic Level 6

• ARCH-3004 Architectural Design 6: Continuation of ARCH-3001, focusing on the design of sustainable and resilient buildings.
• BIMM-3004 Architectural Software 6: Advanced BIM applications, including building information modeling (BIM) management.
• WRIT-3040 Professional Development for Technology: Development of professional development skills for the architectural technology profession.
• DRAF-3060 Architectural Project Management: Overview of architectural project management principles and practices.
• MATS-3003 Materials & Methods 6: Continuation of MATS-3002, focusing on the emerging trends and technologies in building materials.
• ARCH-3005 Building Science 5: Advanced building science topics, including building performance evaluation and adaptive reuse.
• ARCH-3006 Building Regulations 5: Advanced building codes and regulations, including specialized codes and standards.

Assessment:

The assessment methods used in the program include:

• Assignments
• Projects
• Presentations
• Exams
• Portfolios
The assessment criteria used in the program include:
• Accuracy
• Completeness
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Technical skills

Teaching:

The teaching methods used in the program include:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Studio work
• Field trips
The faculty in the program are experienced professionals with expertise in architectural technology. The program uses a variety of unique approaches to teaching, including:
• Project-based learning
• Problem-based learning
• Cooperative education
• Industry partnerships

Careers:

Graduates of the Architectural Technology program are qualified to work as architectural technologists. Architectural technologists are responsible for the design and construction of buildings. They work with architects, engineers, and other professionals to create safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing buildings. Architectural technologists can work in a variety of settings, including:

• Architectural firms
• Engineering firms
• Construction companies
• Government agencies
• Non-profit organizations
The job outlook for architectural technologists is expected to be good in the coming years. The demand for new buildings is expected to increase as the population grows and the economy expands.