Architectural and Building Technology, Certificate, Part-time

Program Overview

This Architectural and Building Technology program provides a comprehensive foundation in construction principles, materials, and design. Students will develop skills in architectural planning, construction methods, estimating, and building code compliance. The program prepares individuals for careers in the construction industry, including roles in architectural design, construction management, and building inspection.

Program Outline

Outline:

Content:

• Materials and Methods
• Construction
• Estimating
• BC Building Code
• Architectural Planning
• Architectural CAD
• Building Envelope Performance
• Construction Documents and Contracts
• Statics
• Introduction to Business and Technical Communication
• Architectural Drafting
• Technical Mathematics for Architectural and Building Technology

Structure:

• Required Courses (30.0 credits)
• Complete 10.0 credits from the following list of electives

Course Schedule:

• Courses are offered in the evenings at the Burnaby campus from 6:30 pm.
• Refer to the courses listed for current dates and times.

Individual Modules with Descriptions:

• Materials and Methods 1 (BLDC 1050):
Introduces basic materials and methods used in construction. Topics include: physical and chemical properties; the manufacturing process of various material and methods and the way they are implemented in a construction project.
• Construction 1 A (BLDC 1200):
Introduces basic principles of wood frame building construction. Develops skills to produce a basic set of construction working drawings. Topics; western platform wood frame construction; wall framing, floor framing and roof framing for a single family residence.
• Construction 1 B (BLDC 1205):
Introduces basic principles of building construction. Develops skills to produce a basic set of construction working drawings. Topics include site layout, foundation details, western wood frame detailing, and preparation of a partial set of working drawings for a single family residence.
• Estimating 1 (BLDC 1300):
Introduction to measurement of construction work, with a brief review of reading construction drawings and specifications. Specific study of methods of measurement techniques applicable to site work (excavation), concrete and masonry quantity take-offs.
• BC Building Code: Part 9 (Single Family Dwellings) (BLDC 1500):
Provides a working knowledge of Part 9 of the 2024 B.C Building Code as it applies to single family dwellings. Gives students the basic skills required to check plans, inspect buildings and deal with questions relating to Part 9 at an elementary level. Covers acceptable materials, systems and methods used in housing construction.
• Architectural Planning 1 (BLDC 2000):
Introduces basic planning issues encountered in building and site design with emphasis on residential projects. Covers the influences of site conditions on building orientation, interior layout, and exterior form. Focus is on planning strategies for achieving good spatial and functional relationships in a dwelling.
• Architectural Planning 2 (BLDC 2005):
Introduces municipal policies and regulations, which govern property development. Emphasis is placed on zoning and parking by-laws and their impact on types of uses and building size. Presents the development permit application process.
• Materials and Methods 2 (BLDC 2050):
Continues from BLDC 1050, acquainting students with the properties of various materials and assemblies that are used in MasterFormat Divisions 6 through 9, with an emphasis on the methods in which they are implemented in a construction project.
• Construction 2 A (BLDC 2200):
Builds upon the topics introduced in BLDC 1200/1205. Lecture topics include working drawing standards, roof construction, advanced (efficient) framing techniques, modified post and beam construction, straight and curved stairs, doors and windows. Students will be required to resolve and create working drawings for more complex wood frame construction such as intersecting roofs and stairs.
• Construction 2 B (BLDC 2205):
Continues from BLDC 2200. Lecture topics include site and survey plans, concrete foundation detailing, engineered wood products, residential services, prescriptive wood frame design guidelines and when a structural engineer is needed. Other discussions include prefabricated buildings and an introduction to multi-family wood frame construction.
• Estimating 2 (BLDC 2300):
Continues from the studies introduced in BLDC 1300 and covers the construction details found in more sophisticated structures. Expands on the topics of BLDC 1300 and introduces sections 5, 6 and 7 covered by the CIQS Standard Method of Measurement in preparation for the CIQS Exam 202.
• Architectural CAD 1 (BLDC 2400):
Introduces CAD for Architects, building designers and builders. Designed to familiarize the student with the operation of AutoCAD in the architectural environment utilizing the most recent release of the software.
• Architectural CAD 2 (BLDC 2405):
Continues from BLDC 2400 utilizing the most recent release of the software. Emphasis is on application of software in production of drawings for presentation, development and building permits, and working drawings.
• Building Envelope Performance (BLDC 3050):
​This course provides a practical introduction and application of Building Science fundamentals for the evaluation, design, and construction of durable and energy efficient building envelopes (enclosures). The role of climate and the theory of heat flow, vapour flow, air flow, and the application of each principle to the evaluation of building enclosure assemblies will be discussed. Best practice assembly design and detailing fundamentals for above and below grade wall assemblies, roofs, and windows will be covered, with examples and case studies where appropriate. Further to this, BLDC 3050 provides the prerequisite building enclosure design fundamentals which are applied in BLDC 3060, which is an interactive hands-on building enclosure construction and interface detailing course.
• Construction Documents and Contracts (BLDT 2011):
The construction contract is a vital document in any construction project. This course examines the various components that comprise a contract and the corresponding responsibility of each participating party. The course also provides students with a basic understanding of construction contract documents and an understanding of the principles of a contractual relationship. Using the latest version of the CCDC II - 2008 contract as a model, contract definitions, interpretations, and disputes are discussed. A number of scenarios and procedures will be reviewed with examples that typically accompany performing and fulfilling contractual obligations.
• Statics (CIVL 1120):
This course presents a thorough introduction to the relationship between applied loads and the resultant support reactions and internal forces developed in statically determinate members and structures. Topics include classification of force systems, equilibrium equations, support conditions, freebody diagrams, support reactions, truss analysis by the methods of joints and sections, analysis of pinned plane frames, geometric properties of sections, distributed loading, and load, shear force and bending moment diagrams for beams.
• Introduction to Business and Technical Communication (COMM 1103):
This communication course teaches practical business communication techniques for planning, organizing, selecting, writing, and presenting information in business or industry. It covers routine memos, letters, request and reply letters, and oral presentations.
• Architectural Drafting (DRFT 1000):
Introduction to Architectural Drafting. Covers basic architectural manual drafting techniques and skills. Drawing development with emphasis on line techniques, graphic symbols and industry standards. Graphical communication required for the preparation of development permit drawings for residential buildings.