Architectural Technology - Spokane Community College

Architectural Technology from Spokane Community College is a Campus Certificate Architecture And Related Services degree that prepares you for a Architecture career. Program Description The Architectural Technology program prepares students to become CAD drafters for the building design industry. Students focus on gaining proficiency with Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), 3-D modeling and Building Information Modeling (BIM) applications utilizing principles of design, the design process, building codes and building materials as they relate to building projects. This program prepares the drafter to translate ideas, rough sketches, specifications, calculations and existing drawings into drawings used within each phase of the design and construction process. Students enter the program in the fall quarter. Program classes are typically held 7:30 am - 3:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. Please note that the classes listed below are intended for program students only. Other students are only allowed to register upon the approval of the instructor after prerequisites have been met. Students are expected to do a significant amount of reading and should be able to work at a computer for seven hours per day. The first year consists of developing residential building design drawings and documents used by architects and building design engineers. Students use the most commonly used software utilized in the building design industry to gain proficiency in 2-D and 3-D Computer Aided Drafting (CAD). In addition, the first year consists of manual drafting, orthographic projections, freehand sketching, presentation graphics (isometric and perspective pictorial drawing), light construction principles (materials and methods), use of drafting expressions, international residential codes and sustainability issues. Emphasis is placed on architectural construction documents, which include site plans, floor plans, roof plans, footing and foundation plans, framing plans, exterior elevations, building and wall sections, window and door schedules, stair design, interior elevations, details and plumbing, HVAC, electrical and lighting plans. Graphic representation using computer software is used in the production of documents of the common phrases of architectural design including programming, schematic design, design development and construction documents. Utilization of the above is finalized in the development of residential working drawings. Students will receive a Residential Architectural Technology Certificate after completing the first three quarters of the AAS degree. Prior to taking courses in this program, students in this program who intend to further their education at a university should consult an academic advisor at SCC or their future university to determine which of the courses in this program are transferable to a university. The second year consists of developing architectural working drawings using Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) related to commercial building design. Class projects will be developed from a preliminary design utilizing drafting techniques, standards and practices of the profession, including office procedure knowledge, use of building materials; structural framing systems as used in the building industry; and related engineering technical courses including mechanical and electrical systems for buildings. Program Goals Be proficient in the development and organization of a set of architectural working drawings for both residential and commercial structures. Have a basic understanding of different types of structural framing systems and the use and installation of building materials. Have basic understanding of building codes and their applications. Have drafting methods and techniques of a quality acceptable to the architectural profession and other related fields. Be acquainted with the drafting room procedures and practices of an architectural office. Be proficient in the use and application of reference material normally used in drafting rooms. Be proficient with fundamental Computer aided Drafting (CAD) technologies as well as Building Information Modeling (BIM) concepts. Graduates will gain skills and experience using a variety of architecturally specific, industry standard software applications. Career Opportunities This program is designed to prepare students for employment in fields where technical drawing and problem solving abilities are needed to assist the engineer, architect, or in related fields to the construction industry. Prospects will be best for those having post-high school manual drafting and CAD training. Potential positions include: architectural drafter, drafting equipment salesperson, estimator, engineering drafter, manufacturer's representative, shop drawings for fabrications drafter and computer aided drafter. View more details on Spokane Community College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Architecture And Related Services courses.