TAMALPAIS UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Larkspur, California

Course of Study

Architectural Design 1-4

 I.  INTRODUCTION

	Architectural Design 1-4  is a four semester sequential program within the Applied Technology Department.  Appropriate for any student, Architectural Design offers the student insights into the design process of buildings.  This course articulates well with Construction Technology, Engineering Graphics, Principles of Technology and Engineering Projects. All of these courses involve projects which are conceptualized, designed and drawn using the universal graphic language of drafting.  Architectural Design also provides an opportunity to use visual arts skills learned in Art Explorations with an emphasis on aesthetics and concepts of space, line, form. The course requires that students use creativity as they resolve functional problems of building design  with an aesthetic sensibility.
    
 The overall goal of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills required for the career pathway involving Architecture, Engineering, and Construction. These skills can lead students directly to employment as well as provide them with the prerequisites for further education in these professional fields.

Students who are interested in pursuing a career in Architecture are encouraged to also enroll in more visual arts courses to complement the work done in Architectural Design.

Architectural Design addresses the following Tam2000 goals:

*	Provide opportunities for, and encourage students to, demonstrate individual and collective responsibility, creativity, productivity, and initiative through class, school, and community projects and experiences.

*	Provide opportunities for students to acquire the technological skills needed for personal educational, and employment success.

*	Requires students to think conceptually, solve complex problems, use technology and communicate ideas working individually and collaboratively.

*	Create meaningful school-to -career experiences.

This course addresses the following District Student Learning Outcomes:
#1.    Communicate articulately, effectively, and persuasively when	speaking and writing.

#2.    Read and analyze material in a variety of disciplines.

#3.    	Use technology as a tool to access information, analyze and solve problems, and communicate ideas.

#5.    	Apply mathematical knowledge and skills to analyze and solve problems.

#11 	Interpret, experience, create, and /or perform artistic work.

#12. 	 Demonstrate school-to-work/post-secondary transition skills and	knowledge.

#13. 	 Participate in community, social, civic or cultural service.

II.  STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. 	Students will do oral presentations of their designs for critique.  They will complete a written analysis and description of their projects. Students will also complete a written or multimedia presentation on a research project, such as the life and work of a well-known architect.

2. 	Students will use a variety of resources, including current periodicals, library medium, and the Internet to research the architectural history and analyze the emerging designs that have an influence on their projects. 

3. 	Students will use drafting instruments, CAD (computer-aided design), and other tools to produce drawings and projects demonstrating line work, lettering, layout, geometric constructions and principles of shape and size description that include multi-view drawing sections, auxiliary views and revolutions.  Projects will include the basics of residential design principles and practices, including architectural history, styles, and standard conventions. 

4. 	Students will prepare architectural working drawings including plot plans, foundation plans, floor plans, and elevations.  Projects will include pictorial drawings: isometric, oblique, and one-and two-point perspectives.  Projects will also incorporate the conventions of standard building practices and construction details using orthographic and isometric drawings, sections and dimensioning. Projects will include advanced design concepts, presentation drawings, construction drawings, and engineering concepts and calculations.

5. 	Students will solve design problems, working independently and collaboratively.  They will synthesize their analysis of a variety of architectural influences and, complemented with their own imaginative insights, will produce projects of unique and provocative creativity.

6.	Students will perform at least one job shadow experience each semester and will, in the advanced classes, establish a mentor relationship with an Architect for
 reference, guidance, and advice.  Students will observe presentations and interact with the professionals that will regularly visit the classroom. Field trips to local architectural firms will be planned periodically. Through these relevant experiences they will be able to demonstrate school-to-work/post-secondary transition skills and knowledge. In addition, students will design and provide the architectural drawings for community projects such as the Snack Shacks and garden sheds on campus, and also buildings for the Homeless Shelter in neighboring communities.

III.  ASSESSMENT

A.  Student Assessment

	Students will be graded on the accuracy, technical quality, and completeness of their drawings, models and projects.  The creativity and the initiative evidenced in their projects will also be included in their assessment. Their oral presentations and written projects will be evaluated for completeness and evidence of a thorough understanding of the project. The improvement observed during the semester and the effort put into the course will be factored into the student's grade. Individual and group presentations for critique will  also be used for assessment. 
	Students will be given the grading criteria and course expectations in writing at the beginning of the course.

B.  Course Assessment

	The class will be assessed by student feedback questionnaires at the end of each semester as well as by teacher reflections, administrative feedback and peer (community members, experts in the field, etc.) visitations. Also, ongoing efforts to maintain contact with prior students from the program who are either working or enrolled in schools of related professional fields will provide valuable information about the efficacy of the course.

IV. METHODS AND MATERIALS

A.  Methods

	Students work will be self-paced with each student working from a sequential assignment sheet. The majority of student work will be hands-on manipulation of various tools following specific assignments.  While working at the CAD stations, students will be working with a program that has built-in help and tutorial features.  Resource texts will also be assigned reading.

B.  Materials

	Students will use the professional tools of the industry for both board and CAD drawings. Texts:  Basic Technical Drawing by Spencer/Dygdon, published by Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., Architectural Design, by Clovis Kicklighter, published by Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.  Other resource texts will also be provided.

	Drafting tools include but are not limited to T-squares, drafting boards,  architecture scale, triangles (30-60-90 and 45-45-90) protractors, compasses, circle and ellipse templates and pencils of varying weights.  At CAD stations students will be provided with appropriate tutorial software and reference materials for the CAD program AutoCAD developed by Autodesk Corporation or the equivalent.

Professional publications, periodicals and reference books will be readily available for student use.

C.  Technology

	Large screen monitors, fast central processing units, a plotter and a recent release of Autocad software or equivalent.  Internet access is an essential tool for sending and receiving files and research.

V. GENERAL INFORMATION

Each semester course (5 credits) in the Architectural Design1-4 sequence is open to all students who have the necessary prerequisites.

A.  Prerequisites

Completion of Art Explorations (or equivalent course in visual arts) with a passing grade is the prerequisite for Architectural Design 1. A passing grade of "C" or better or teacher approval is required to move on to the next sequential course (Architectural Design 2-4, Honors Architectural Design).

B. Requirements Met

This course may be used as elective credit towards graduation but does not meet any specific graduation requirement.

Architectural Design 1-4 are accepted towards the UC/CSU “f” requirement. Architectural Design 3-4 is also accepted towards the UC/CSU “g” requirement. 

Adopted: 
Revised: 6/00
Revised: 1/04