This architectural technician training program equips students with a wide range of essential skills related to architecture and building design technologies. Students will study architectural design, building science, construction materials, and building piping services. They will furthermore study construction estimating, construction management, building inspection, and high-level computer-aided design and drafting software, preparing them to immediately begin skilled work in the field of architecture and building design after graduation.
Diploma
35 Weeks with Practicum or 31 Weeks w/o Practicum
4-week Practicum
This diploma of architecture and building design will provide students with in-depth training to enable them to acquire the essential skills related to architectural drafting while using modern building design technology. Students will acquire practical building design knowledge by intensive study of modern architectural design concepts while also learning requirements of the local building code. Major emphasis of the program is on architectural design, building science, structures, construction materials and building piping services. Students will learn construction estimating, construction management and building inspection skills. This training will be based on the use of high-level computer aided design / drafting technologies.
The program is instructor-led, allowing students to gain knowledge quickly through interaction with individual experienced in the various areas of architectural design. The curriculum includes lectures facilitated by specialized industry experts. The program includes a work experience (practicum) which could be at an architectural, interior design or engineering firm. Upon successful completion of all courses, you will graduate with an Architectural Design and Building Technician Diploma and will be able to identify as a “Graduate of Brighton College’s Architectural Design and Building Technician Diploma”.
This program is meant to be a draftsperson level of understanding of architecture, not as an Architect. Graduates will be skilled in drafting and design concepts for technical roles within a team of professionals and tradespeople involved in the overall building process. Refer to Architect’s Act regarding use of the title Architect and similar titles, as well as who can practice architecture in the Province of British Columbia. Students will also learn about the Architect’s Act and the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (the AIBC) role in the industry as well as what registration requirements are needed to gain a designation as an Architect and when the terms architect and architectural maybe used.
Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
This course provides students with the fundamentals of computer operation, file management, and basic mathematics. Major topics include keyboarding skills, Microsoft Word document formatting, Excel spreadsheet creation, linear algebra, quadratic equations, trigonometry, and geometry.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: none.
This course provides student with the fundamental skills of computer aided design and drafting using AutoCAD. Students learn the most up-to-date AutoCAD techniques that are being used in engineering and building-design professions. Utilizing high-end computer tools, students learn how to create drawings in 2-dimensional environments and basic 3-dimensional models.
Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: none.
This course provides students with instruction in advanced level AutoCAD commands and drawing management techniques. Students will learn project-orientated drafting and design skills, with an emphasis being placed on scaled 2-Dimensional project drawing in model and paper space layout settings. Students will also learn how to use advanced 3-Dimensional tools to create surface models and composite solid models.
Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100.
This course provides students with the knowledge to use the British Columbia Building Code as well as city zoning bylaws. Major topics include building zoning, residential wood framed building construction standards, design specifications, fire protection, basic structural standards, span table applications and other professional practices which may affect the design and construction of a building. Students will also use AutoCAD to create site plan, floor plans, sections and elevations.
Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100.
Technical communication skills are required in service, business, and technical working environments. This course focuses on verbal, writing, and presentation skills within the scope of architecture and engineering. Students will learn how to produce technical report documents and present their project drawings effectively.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: none.
This course covers the principles of plumbing piping design with an emphasis on the application of piping components, material selection and pipe sizing which applies to water, storm and sanitary plumbing piping systems. Students will learn to calculate hydraulic loads for plumbing fixtures and create piping design drawings for residential and commercial buildings. Students will also learn to apply British Columbia Plumbing Code in the design of plumbing piping systems.
Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, CCT100.
This course provides students with a foundation in parametric Building Information Modeling (BIM). Students will use Revit Architecture for parametric building design and project documentation. Students begin the course by learning the fundamental features of Revit and progress through design modeling to drawing production. Major topics include the modeling of commercial and residential building, basic structures, and wall type selection, building interior design, family customization, site creation, roof design, schedules, 3D walkthrough, rendering and sheet production.
Duration: 80 hours, 4 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.
This course provides students with the knowledge necessary to estimate and control construction material quantities and cost for building structures and basic civil engineering infrastructures. Topics include residential, commercial and civil infrastructure estimating methods, quantity takeoff techniques, and cost calculation procedures of construction components. An overview of the contract terms and relationships between the contractual parties will also be discussed in this course.
Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, CCT100.
This course provides students with the principles of building construction materials and structural design. The course is delivered through lectures and problem-solving sessions. Topics include concepts of axial stress and strain, section properties of structural shapes, bending and shear stresses in beams, deflection of beams, column buckling, NBCC gravity and wind loads, limit states design philosophy, and sizing of major structural members which will lead to the design of building structures.
Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.
This course provides students with the skills to create interior design drawings for commercial and hospitality projects. Students will use AutoCAD to create conceptual and detailed design drawings. Major topics include wall partition design, ceiling and lighting design, interior furniture selection, interior finishes, space planning and overall design presentation. Students will design building interior features in accordance with the building code and city bylaw standards.
Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.
This course provides students with the knowledge in inspection techniques as well as project management skills for building. Major topics include building construction planning, inspection considerations, Gantt charts, CPM methods and scheduling software that apply to building construction management. Overview of the inspection techniques under the guidelines of the Canadian Association of Home Properties Inspectors are also discussed in this course.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, CCT100.
This course covers the principals of electrical systems with a strong emphasis on building load, wirings, components, materials and design layout. Students learn how to calculate electrical loads for houses, apartment units and prepare electrical design drawings for residential building systems.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100.
This course introduces students to the physical relationships between a building's interior and exterior assemblies. Topics include terminology used to describe building envelope materials, assemblies, performance, properties of air and water vapor, characteristics of environmental effects, exterior claddings, roofing and waterproofing techniques which prevent leakage. Basic wood-framed building and local city construction and zoning bylaws will also be discussed in this course.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.
This course provides students with the contemporary architecture and building design. The main topics in this course are site planning theory, aesthetics, structure design, open space planning and retrofit design skills for the residential and commercial buildings. A systematic methodology for creative problem-solving that involves analysis, evaluation, synthesis, and resolution are introduced as well. Emphasis is also placed on zoning by-laws and their impact on building uses, size, and location on the site.
Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.
This course provides students with 3D computer modeling skills by using the Sketchup software application. Students learn the knowledge to create architectural building components and models with rendering effects. Major topics include layers, sketch techniques, land topography, exterior wall creation, paint style, roof modeling, building interior layout, sectioning, scene creation and sheet layout.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150.
This course helps students to prepare a working portfolio, which will assist them in presenting themselves during interviews or seminars. Students will produce a portfolio in the areas of engineering and architectural 2D drawings and 3D models. Students also will learn interview skills and how to prepare their resume and cover letter.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.
The student will have the opportunity to integrate theory and skills learnt during the program with practical situation from the real world of business. The purpose is to obtain relevant field experience prior to graduation and identify strengths prior to embarking on a new, exciting career.
Duration: 150 hours, 4 weeks.
*Under no circumstances can these Admission Requirements be waived by the student or the institution.
Computer RequirementsPlease check the basic computer requirement here. You could find additional technology and installation guide information for this program here.
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