Architecture

This engaging course provides students with an introductory exploration into the principles, concepts, and practices within the field of architectural engineering. After a brief overview of architecture history, we will move on to analyze case studies of iconic projects, identifying how the fusion of architecture and engineering can be employed to find solutions to real-world challenges. Through a combination of lectures, design exercises and case studies, students will gain insight into the technical aspects of architectural engineering. They’ll learn about electrical systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; building materials and their structural, thermal, and acoustic characteristics, and the role of environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and daylighting strategies in modern architectural design.

*Supplemental fee of $125 for activity materials

Course Outcomes

1. Become familiar with the history of architectural engineering (AE) and how AE directly impacts today’s unique climate and population challenges through classroom activities, discussions, problems, and readings.
2. Analyze how architecture and engineering can work symbiotically to combine electrical systems, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and building materials and their structural, thermal, and acoustic characteristics to promote attractive and environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and daylighting strategies in modern architectural design.
3. Further their interest in studying STEAM-related subjects such as Smart Buildings and systems thinking, and how they can benefit both society and the natural environment.

Capstone Project

Students will have the opportunity to showcase their interest, learning, and growth in the course by designing a solution to a real-world problem by using the principles of architectural engineering (AE). Specifically, students will design an illusory multi-story hospital to be constructed in a climatologically hostile environment of the student’s choice (e.g., in a desert, next to a bayou, or in an arctic region) that will require custom designed HVAC along with other novel structural, thermal, and acoustic system engineering models. Along with a Project Construction Narrative, students will create a digital or hand drawn rendering, or a small-scale prototype to accompany their project.

Information is subject to change as instructors finalize course content and syllabi.