ARCH 2602/5602 Building Technology, Materials and Methods

Fall 2008

Jonathan Ochshorn

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Course Description and Requirements

Course Description

Fall (2008). 3 credits.
Required course for B.Arch. and M.Arch.I architecture students.

Building construction is examined from the following standpoints: life safety (construction types, occupancy, assemblies, egress); accessibility (ramps, doors, etc.); sustainability; conveying systems (stairs, elevators, escalators); structural materials (properties, manufacturing strategies, typical applications, and connections); envelope theory (insulation, condensation, vapor and air barriers, pressure-equalization, movement, tolerances); cladding systems (masonry, precast, metal, glass); interior systems (walls, floors and ceilings); and technical documentation (detail drawings).

Skills needed

Most assignments will have a drawing component; students should be able to create sectional and axonometric or perspective views, either by hand or using CAD/modeling software. Students, especially those outside of the department of architecture, can download and learn to use free 3-D modeling software at http://sketchup.google.com/. For some assignments, or final projects, students may be expected to build scale models, primarily using cardboard or other light-weight materials. Some simple mathematical skills are required when dealing with zoning, building code, movement, and thermal issues.

Course Requirements and Grading

Assignments, 3 @ 12% = 36% course grade
Quizzes, 3 @ 12% = 36% course grade
Final Project, 18% course grade
Attendance, 10% course grade

Assignments are due in class on the dates indicated. Unexcused late assignments will receive a grade penalty of 1 grade point if turned in more than 48 hours late, but within 1 week of the due date; a penalty of 2 grade points if turned in within 2 weeks of the due date; and so forth (so an assignment with a nominal grade of B+ due Monday Sept. 10 would receive a B+ if turned in before or during class on Wednesday Sept. 12; and a C+ if turned in before or during class on Monday Sept. 17; and a D+ if turned in before or during class on Monday Sept. 24; and a grade of F if turned in after class on Monday Sept. 24).

Students with written documentation for excused absences (in general, this means illness, death in family, or other circumstances beyond one's control; projects due or extraordinary quantities of work assigned in other courses do not constitute an excuse for missing a quiz or turning in a late assignment) may make arrangements to take make-up quizzes or turn in assignments late without penalty. Students in these circumstances should contact the professor as soon as possible.

Attendance will be factored into the final grade, through some method yet to be determined. Students must be in attendance for the entire class to get credit.

General University Rules:

"Students are expected to be present throughout each semester at all meetings of courses for which they are registered."
Each student in this course is expected to abide by the Cornell University Code of Academic Integrity. Any work submitted by a student in this course for academic credit must be the student's own work, except in cases where copied or quoted work is essential to the submission, and is properly attributed. Only in cases where group projects are specifically authorized may students collaborate within the group. For such group projects, individual contributions are not considered separately, and each member of the group receives the same grade.
In compliance with the Cornell University policy and equal access laws, I am available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be required for students with disabilities. Requests for academic accommodations are to be made during the first three weeks of the semester, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can be made.

Tentative assignment topics are as follows, subject to change:

Assign #1: Building code/zoning
Assign #2: Structure and cladding
Assign #3: Technical documentation: wall section
Final project: Case study (group project)

Text and other reading:

Supplementary material is indicated for each class (see course outline details). These readings or videos may be useful both in completing assignments, as well as in gaining additional insight into the subject matter. In some cases, where noted, the material is required and will appear on examinations. It is strongly recommended that students purchase the text, as it will be useful as a general reference during school and beyond.