Architectural Building Technology

Full-Time One-Year Diploma. Next intake September 27th, 2024.

Architecture influences the way we feel about the space in which we live. It is a blending of art, technology and space manipulation. If you enjoy drawing, working with spatial concepts, and have a technical interest in structures, this program is for you.

Why you should study with us:

Three semesters in length, the Architectural Building Technology program provides students with the technical skills needed to create design and construction drawings for commercial and residential buildings. 

The learning experience at Pacific Design Academy is like no other. Every instructor who teaches architectural building technology t is a working professional in the industry. They bring their industry experience and standards to their students. They teach because they are passionate and love inspiring others to contribute the future of this exciting field of employment.

Students learn the principles of planning, the impact of zoning bylaws, project management and model building. Hand drafting techniques are combined with rendering to enable students the ability to present their ideas graphically to clients.

Project management, estimating and material take-off, as well as portfolio preparation are incorporated into the program.

Students learn to create detailed plans using the latest computer aided design software and three-dimensional modeling simulations to enforce spatial concepts.

The theories of construction, current products technology and building codes, taught throughout the course, are implemented into their drawings. Detailed construction documents are prepared from the students’ work to convey information to the building trades and municipal governments.

 
 

Tuition and Lab Fees:
Fees for all the programs are listed on page 3 of our Application Form.

This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training. 

Program components:

  • Architectural Design Principles:

    • Study of fundamental design principles, spatial planning, and aesthetics in architecture.
    • Development of architectural drawings, plans, and models using both manual and digital tools.
  • Building Materials and Construction Techniques:

    • Exploration of various building materials, their properties, and suitability for different construction projects.
    • Understanding construction techniques, structural systems, and building codes/regulations.
  • Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM):

    • Training in CAD software like AutoCAD for drafting architectural drawings.
    • Introduction to BIM tools such as Revit for 3D modeling, coordination, and collaboration in building design and documentation.
  • Sustainable Design and Green Building Practices:

    • Integration of sustainability principles into architectural design, including energy efficiency, passive design strategies, and renewable materials.
    • Knowledge of green building certifications (e.g., LEED) and sustainable construction methods.
  • Building Systems and Services:

    • Understanding mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) systems, and their integration into building designs.
    • Study of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, lighting, and plumbing layouts.

Course Overviews

This course teaches introductory-level manual drafting techniques and how to understand & read construction drawings. Line weight, hand lettering and dimensioning conventions will be taught as students produce a basic set of architectural working drawings including floor plans, site plans, elevations, sections, and plan oblique.  Students will focus on understanding Metric & Imperial units.

The designs you will create as an interior designer or building technologist will use style and other aesthetic considerations to communicate. Every style you might choose to deploy brings with it a complex network of cultural and historical associations that will shape how people understand a space and behave within it.  

This course focuses on using the language of historical styles to describe existing spaces and create new ones. You’ll learn the key characteristics of important historical styles and practice applying these styles to project work.

This course is an introduction to residential home design principles. Using an analytical problem-solving approach, including programming and space planning, students will gain further experience in understanding industry standard methods of construction as they are guided through a variety of design projects. Presentation methods used to develop and solidify the design during the development process will be further explored as a communication tool, allowing the designer to connect thoughts with visual images as a means of expression. 

Core construction concepts will be introduced to the students which will enable them to understand the changing industry standards and give deeper understanding into the process to build. 

This course is focused on the development of knowledge and skills related to construction industry. Core construction concepts will be introduced to the students which will enable them to understand the changing industry standards and give deeper understanding into the process to build. Students will gain hands on experience using a variety of construction materials and power tools; learn about building design and planning; create and interpret working drawings and sections; learn construction standards and apply it to the projects.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental aspects of general materials used in today’s construction industry. It teaches common elements of construction and encourages students to pursue new and developing construction materials. 

This course provides an overview of commercial Interior Design for the commercial industry, including programming and space planning, schematic design, and conceptual development (materials selection and mood board creation), design development (fixtures selection and specification packages), and construction floorplans (including reflection ceiling plans and elevations). The project is based upon real-world criteria and is intended to challenge students to meet the demands of an actual project brief, by working on an existing property, updating the spatial layouts and materials and finish selections that no longer meet the lifestyle objectives desired by the property owner.

Students are introduced to computer-aided design.  They will learn to apply the most important elements of hand line drawing towards digital technical drawings.  Through the details required in line drawings, students will learn the basic code and accessibility issues as they apply towards a space.  The importance of line weight, composition, and figurative clarity for the visual communication of interior design will be emphasized.

This course is designed to familiarize students with the fundamentals of Vectorworks 2D including tool sets, layers, and classes. Students complete several projects, learning how to generate floor plans and elevations using industry standard guidelines. These techniques are incorporated into presentation renderings of residential homes. Upon completion, students have the skills necessary to develop a residential set by criteria.  

This course is designed to familiarize students with the fundamentals of Vectorworks 2D including tool sets, layers, and classes. Students complete several projects, learning how to generate floor plans and elevations using industry standard guidelines. These techniques are incorporated into presentation renderings of residential homes. Upon completion, students have the skills necessary to develop a residential set by criteria.  

Creating 2D and 3D models using SketchUp is a great tool for visualizing a space or building. This course shows how to develop both plan views and extruded models quickly, using either measurements or imported CAD files. Materials and textures applied to surfaces, and the application of special effects such as shadows will be explored. Models will also be rendered using SU Podium for realistic presentations.

This course dives into understanding of Lumion live sync with SketchUp. Learn advanced post processing of SketchUp model to create photorealistic images of the rendering.

This course will focus on understanding and learning the fundamentals of Revit and its use and application in the modern construction industry. The primary focus of the course will be to introduce the tools and techniques used in Revit to create a 3D model of any structure or component. We will also discuss the uses of Revit from the early conception of a project in its design phase to its final close out phase. The fundamentals covered in this course will provide you the necessary skills to start designing your own projects.

An introduction to the fundamentals of The BC building Code. Students will get and understanding of the purpose of the code and how it applies. Focusing on Part 9 students will learn how to apply and use the building code.

This course develops student’s ability to consolidate a broad range of Interior Design concepts and aptitudes to achieve intelligent and compliant solutions. Students will use the foundational skills and software knowledge developed in other classes to research, develop, and execute a single-family dwelling project.

This class will focus on designing with an environmentally conscious purpose and the application of various sustainability standards in building.

This course is focused on concepts and techniques of successful project management. It will cover planning, managing and organizing aspects for successfully completing a project.

The complex problems you’ll face in the workforce will require you to think critically and creatively, communicate your ideas effectively, and apply your specialized skills in a collaborative environment. Whether you’re working on a large-scale building development, making a movie, contributing to an online magazine, developing an app, or taking a new fashion line to market, the success of the project will rely on your ability to come together with others. 

In this team project-based course you’ll use the methods of design thinking to respond to a brief presented by a real community client. 

Portfolio preparation is the process of taking stock of the work inventory and incorporating it into an organized, cohesive, visual record of your education and experience. Through self-assessment, open evaluation, and exploration of graphic and organizational components, you will be guided through a progression of steps that allow you to identify a visual direction to assist in the process of creating your portfolio.