ARCH2413
Building Technology I: Materials and Construction
Target Students BSSc2
Course Term 1
Course Type Required
Teacher(s) XU, Liang Leon
Architects play a pivotal role in the design-build process, where their in-depth understanding of construction materials is essential. Knowledge of the properties, capabilities, and limitations of various materials is crucial for creating buildings that are not only safe and functional but also aesthetically pleasing. This course aims to equip students with a solid foundational knowledge of building technologies, encompassing materials, construction methods, and structural principles.
Students will study the supply chain, processing, and performance characteristics of various building materials, alongside the evolution and potential of different construction and structural systems. By developing the ability to critically observe and integrate technical information into the design process, they will also gain insights into the significance of tectonics and the ethical considerations surrounding material use. Understanding these aspects is vital, as it empowers future architects to make informed decisions that enhance both design integrity and environmental responsibility.
This required course also connects with the second-year design studios—Measure and Prototype. Measurement is fundamental for quantitative evaluations in building technology, addressing dimensional limits, such as the largest sizes of panels that can be produced and transported, and structural performance metrics, including the maximum tensile strength of materials like steel cables. Throughout the course, students will engage in testing various measuring methods, investigating aspects such as the maximum height achievable with certain construction techniques, the waste generated by particular design schemes, and the weight of their structures in relation to load-bearing capacities.
Additionally, the course will present a variety of built projects, encouraging discussions on their differences and evolution concerning construction methods and structural concepts. This exposure provides students with the essential knowledge needed for material exploration and prototype development in the design studio in Term 2, fostering a deep understanding of experimentation in building construction.
Furthermore, the first two Building Technology courses are intricately connected and build upon one another. The initial course emphasizes understanding materials, construction methods, and structural systems from a qualitative perspective, while the subsequent course explores these topics through the quantitative lens of graphic statics.
