Back to: Construction Technology
Course Name: Construction Technology 1, ARCH 24501
Type of Course: Physical Course
Class Meetings: Lecture: Wed., 11:00am – 12:20pm;
Seminars: Wed., Wed., 2:00 – 3:20 pm
Seminars Professor: MT Chang (SM1)
Location: Seminar Rooms: SSA 2M23
Office Hours: Wed., 3:30PM – 4:30pm
Email: ssaonlinecourse@gmail.com
Semester/Year: Spring 2025
Please click HERE to download your course syllabus.
Introduction:
The problem of understanding how to choose and use materials starts with understanding the principles of their inherent properties and with understanding any additional rules of their realization. Each element is integrated with other elements in a building, satisfying the combined needs of structural stability, functional competency, human fulfillment, aesthetic satisfaction and long-term sustainability. Construction Technology 1 focuses on basic inquiries: anatomy (both structure + skin) and the rules of their integration. Understanding the building’s anatomy, the selection of materials, the methods of construction and the anticipation of performance are primary aspects in the process of mastering both the science and the art of building design. The applied knowledge and creative use of materials and construction systems are indispensable in the search for realizing appropriate form, since form, without consideration of materials and methods and their impact on our environment, inevitably tends to degenerate into mere abstraction and decoration. Even the most modest architectural form must take into account its materialization on a specific site, within a specific climate, with possible means of its assembly, and with considering its impact on our environment.
Designing means integrating materials and methods of construction into the making of form and space, not postponing them as an afterthought to the ”design” solution. It is an inherent part of processing architecture.
Principles & goals:
– To familiarize developing architects, designers and urban + landscape designers with various materials and
methods of construction
– To better appreciate each material and system, its unique characteristics and special applications.
– To gain understanding and competency in principles and implementation of a variety of construction
methods and systems on the basis of both past and present practice
– To appreciate the use of materials not only as a means to realize design, but as fully sensual elements of a
human experience – engaging all senses, and resulting in a more holistic human experience
– To recognize, and become conscious of environmental impact of our designs and use of appropriate
materials and systems to respond to sustainability requirements.
// Schedule
Anatomy I
February 5 Introduction: Building Anatomy + Design Strategy
(week 1) System & material selection. Interrelationship of construction & form-space making.
Criteria for building systems.
February 12 College closed
February 19 Regulatory Requirements & Constraints
(week 2) Regulatory requirements on building design, construction, human safety & comfort.
Sustainability and other considerations; Systems, concepts, codes & regulations.
Required Reading due: Edward Alan / Joseph Iano; “Fundamentals of Building Construction,
Wiley (ISBN: 978-0470074688), Ed.5; Chapter 1 “Making Buildings”
Assignment #1 due in Seminar (individual): Initial analysis/diagramming/detail sketches
Term project kick-off: Group/Project selection
(week 3) Building structures under varying conditions. Forces & resistance: stresses and strains.
Selecting appropriate systems & materials
Required Reading due: Chapter 2 “Foundations”
Term Project due: Structural Analysis and definition of area to be built as physical model
Structural Material I
March 5 Wood – Materials
(week 4) Wood & wood products. Methods of connection. Introduction to material-related
systems. Treatment & Protection. Grading, Standardization & Dimensioning.
Required Reading due: Chapter 3+ Chapter 4: “Wood” and “Heavy Timber Frame Construction”
Assignment #2: Foundation Assignment Due in Seminar Class (individual)
March 6 (Thursday; but classes follow Wednesday schedule)
(week 5) Wood – Systems
Wood Systems, building the frame: light wood frame construction heavy timber frame
construction-light wood frame construction. Case Studies.
Required Reading due: Chapter 5 “Wood Light Frame Construction”
Seminar: Research group exchange per specific term project (4x)
March 12 Masonry – Materials
(week 7) Masonry as a material. Types & characteristics; fabrication. Introduction to systems
Required Reading due: Chapter 8. “Brick Masonry”
Term Project due: Foundation Assignment Due in Seminar Class
March 19 Sustainability in Masonry Construction
(week 8) Guest Lecture: John Bachenski, Masonry Sustainability Solutions LLC
Types & characteristics; fabrication. Introduction to innovative systems and materials
Required Reading due: Chapter 9. “Stone and Concrete Masonry”
Term Project: Superstructure-Framework Assignment Due in Seminar Class
Skin I
March 26 Transparency – Glass
(week 9) Glass, glazing, fenestration. Types and characteristics of glass & glass products.
Thermal properties, R-values, transmission & reflection.
Required Reading due: Chapter 17 “Glass and Glazing”
Assignment #3: Opening Assignment Due in Seminar Class (individual)
April 01: Last day to withdraw with the grade of “W”
April 2 Roof Structures
(week 10) Types; framing; systems & materials; functions style & aesthetics
Required Reading due: Chapter 16 “Roofing”, and pp.222-230
MIDTERM EXAM during Seminar Class
Anatomy II
April 9 Case Study _ Heavy Timber Design-Build
(week 11) Combining design and technology requirements; comprehensive system thinking; site
coordination
Required Reading due: Chapter 4 “Heavy Timber Frame Construction” (Review)
Term Project: Assignments as determined: Skin; Windows/doors; Façade features
April 16 SPRING RECESS (no class, April 12 – April 20)
April 23 Masonry – Systems
(week 12) Masonry System types & characteristics. Introduction to the systems & materials of
stone, brick, terra cotta, concrete unit masonry, glass unit masonry, & synthetic masonry.
Required Reading due: Chapter 8 & 9. “Brick Masonry” and “Stone and Concrete Masonry”
Seminar class: Joint pin-up (two sections)
April 30 Passive Design – Climate Response
(week 13) Climate and microclimate, climate regions of the world and US, defining the climate data
tables, climate types, design strategies for different climate zones, climatic anomalies.
Required Reading: “Heating, Cooling + Lighting: Design Methods for Architects”, 3rd ed., pp.71-129
Term Project: Roof Assignment Due in Seminar Class
May 7 Interior Finishes: Walls, ceilings & floors. Joints, joint lines, junctures, anticipating
(week 14) tolerances and installation sequences; Finish materials: Plaster, paint, stone, tile, wood, glass;
cabinetry & doors, hardware applications. Shop drawings, fabrication & site supervision.
Required Reading due: Chapter 24 “Finish Ceiling and Floors”
Redlining of Term project presentation during Seminar Class
May 14 (No Lecture)
(week 15) Redlining of Term project presentation during Seminar Class
May 21 FINAL EXAM; Term project presentation Date: t.b.d.
(week 16) Submission of final documentation
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND STUDENT EVALUATION:
Attendance is mandatory at all lectures and seminars. More than two (2) seminar absences or two (2)
lecture absences may result in a failing grade, or a student may be dropped at the discretion of the seminar
professor. Your lateness and absences will affect your over all grade. Primary responsibility for student
evaluation rests with the seminar professor.
Assignments are to be submitted on time. Late submissions will be graded down. Re-submittal of
assignments is at the discretion of the seminar instructor.