SECOND YEAR (Stage 2)
Semester 3
In Semester 3 the student is introduced to the building techniques required in the construction of a two storey dwelling using industry standard detailing and systems. The student is encouraged to develop personal working procedures and problem-solving methodologies, while their command of CAD is further developed in tandem with general drawing and model making skills. They are introduced to the principles of surveying and levelling using measurement instrumentation.
Technical Design Studio 3 is the principal Semester 3 module and provides the vehicle for application and integration of the technical knowledge, understanding and skills developed in the other architectural technology modules to the development of the studio dwelling project. Students visit a building site which uses construction systems relating to their project. They carry out technical research, site analysis, esquisse investigation and exploration. The site is surveyed and drawn. The project is subjected to a building regulation and energy performance audit with technical adjustments being made to the design to achieve compliance. The dwelling project is described using technical orthographic drawings to industry conventions in CAD, schedules and models. The technical merits of the project is evaluated in a performance report and the project presented in a crit environment.
Introduction to the theory and principles of architectural technology continues in the theory modules delivered as lectures alongside and dovetailed with the general project work. Building Technology & Structures 3, Environment Services & Materials 3 and Professional Development 2 are delivered as lectures with related assignments, while Digital & Graphical Communications continues on a studio basis.
A number of the theory module assignments are integrated as elements of the studio project. Building Technology & Structures requires the application of principles of technology to the studio project and an investigation of the proposed structural system. Environment Services & Materials requires an environmental performance analysis together with a detailed services proposal for the dwelling and site. Digital & Graphical Communications requires preparation of a CAD drawing package using industry conventions together with development of a rendered 3D digital model. Professional Development requires the development of personal workload plan and programme, the development of a document issue register, and the preparation of a prescriptive specification using the National Building Specification package.
Semester 3 modules
• Technical Design Studio 3
• Building Technology & Structures 3
• Environment Services & Materials 3
• Digital & Graphical Communication 3
• Professional Development 2 (Specification, Programming, Systems)
