COURSE RATIONALE

This course is scheduled as a face-to-face course. 

ARCH 2603: Architectural Design III is offered through the Architectural and Engineering Computer Aided Design Department of Austin Community College. This course is offered to those pursuing a career in architectural design generally or as an initial step toward the Associate of Science (AS) in Architecture degree in the Architectural and Engineering Computer Aided Design Department at Austin Community College. This class provides a project-based exploration of architectural design that will aid in the understanding of and participation in the process of architectural design in practice. The course designation ARCH 2603 uses the Texas Common Course Numbering (TCCN) System to facilitate transfer to a Texas public university.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introductory studio providing foundation in the conceptual, perceptual, and manual skills necessary for 2D and 3D design.

Semester Credit Hours 6

Class Contact Hours per week 10 - some virtual

PRE-REQUISITES

Successful Completion of 1304 & 1308. If you have not completed these courses with a passing Grade (A, B or C)  please immediately email the professor!  If you have not taken 2312 or 1311, it is highly encouraged that you take those classes concurrent with 2603.  This course is for Architecture AS degree students only.

IMPORTANT DATES

• First Day of the Semester Monday, August 26th              
• Online Class Information Meetings         8:15 - 10:55 am Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Last Day to Withdraw from the Course Thursday, Nov. 21st     
• Final Day to Submit Work Thursday, Dec. 12th  

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

This course is taught in a Hybrid format.  That means 2 days a week will be in person, face-to-face classroom learning format and 2 days a week will be either in person or Virtual; to be agreed upon on a week to week basis. In-person meetings will consist of group discussion, project critiques – both individual and in larger groups, and laboratory work time.  Virtual Meetings will be 1-on-1, in small groups, and the whole class. In addition to participating in class, students will also use the Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, and collaboration. Class lecture material will be posted via Blackboard each week on Mondays by noon, beginning in the first week of class. Lecture material will include the introduction and review of course concepts.  These will be assessed through 2 major projects, several class assignments, fast-paced design competitions, class discussions, and participation in project reviews.  The second project should be considered a Design Competition; the winning entrant selected based on quality and cohesiveness of the work.

Class assignments will be posted to Blackboard the day they are assigned in class.  Due Dates will vary by project; but assume all work is due by 6:00pm on the requested date.  All assignments must be turned in both in person and posted Blackboard to receive a grade, as noted in the assignment instructions in Blackboard. Blackboard will be used for instructor grading, and some class time will be used for class group viewing, online project pinups, and peer review. Communication with the instructor will be conducted via email, Google Meet, Zoom, Blackboard discussions, and other technology as outlined in Blackboard.

Materials to be purchased by Student:

• Sketchbook (minimum 50 pages, spiral bound, either 8.5”x11” or 9”x12” - Unlined) and drawing pencils
• Other project materials as assigned throughout the semester
• Some course materials will be provided by ACC in the supply closet outside of Architecture Studio 3 (Room 1509)

Online Materials:

Internet connection required for all online course content.

ACC EMAIL

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACC email account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion.  You are expected to check your email daily for updates, corrections to course materials, and general information – especially if you missed class. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college-related emergencies using this account. Students should expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account unless other arrangements have been made.

Likewise, students should use their ACC email account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACC email account can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/index.php.

BLACKBOARD (Bb)

Blackboard will be used for all portions of this course to include but not limited to:

• Instructional Materials including Lecture Videos
• Distribution of handouts, readings and other online lecture materials
• Student submission of assignments, quizzes, tests and activities
• Grading

As instructed by your professor, students are required to access instructional materials via Blackboard on a daily basis. For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, contact a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab

COURSE EVALUATION / GRADING SCHEME

Final grades will be based on class projects, class participation, and daily work assignments which may include the following:

• Class Readings
• Daily/Weekly Design Exercises
• Daily Entries in a Design Journal (this will be turned in at end of the semester for a grade)
• Drawing & Composition Exercises
• Digital and Physical Modeling Exercises
• Peer Project Reviews & Comments
• Final Project
• Class Participation in Discussions/Reviews: Attendance is required at small group online classes.

Each assignment will be worth varying point totals depending on the length and weight of the assignment, quiz, reading/discussion participation, or essay.  While the class is set up for Design Competitions, grades are not directly linked to competition performance.  All students are expected to defend their work and be constructively critical of all work produced in the class.  Quality work, iteration, demonstrated growth and honest exploration are the path to a higher grade.  Just doing something with minimal effort will earn a “D” letter grade at best.  The final grade will be computed from comparing the percentage of total points awarded for submitted assignments and drawings to the total points possible as noted below:

• A = 90% or more of total semester points possible

- B = 80-89%

- C = 70-79%

- D = 60-69%

• F = 59% and below

-

Policy on Late or Missing Work

Instructors may impose a late penalty on work that is submitted after the assigned due date.

GRADING POLICIES FOR STUDENTS

ACC Withdrawal Policy

The College defines withdrawals as occurring after the official reporting date of the semester, typically the 12th class day. In addition, the Legislature has mandated the Rule of Six (see below). There may also be financial aid issues.

“It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date. The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is July 25th. The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status. Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS & COURSE MATERIALS

Required Textbooks:

• Architecture: Form, Space, and Order, 4th Edition* by Francis D.K. Ching; John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2015.   ISBN: 978-1-118-74508-3.  *Paperback or e-book format.

• Between Silence and Light* by John Lobell; Shambhala Press, 1979.  ISBN: 978-1-57062-582-4. 

*Paperback or E-book format

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introductory studio providing foundation in the conceptual, perceptual, and manual skills necessary for 2D and 3D design.

Semester Credit Hours 6

Class Contact Hours per week 10 - some virtual

This course is intended to fulfill all or part of the following National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria:

• A.1 Professional Communication Skills

Ability to write and speak effectively and use representational media appropriate for both within the profession and with the general public.

• A.2 Design Thinking Skills

Ability to raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test alternative outcomes against relevant criteria and standards.

• A.4 Architectural Design Skills

Ability to effectively use basic formal, organizational and environmental principles and the capacity of each to inform two- and three-dimensional design.

• A.5 Ordering Systems

Ability to apply the fundamentals of both natural and formal ordering systems and the capacity of each to inform two- and three-dimensional design.

• A.6 Use of Precedents

 Ability to examine and comprehend the fundamental principles present in relevant precedents and to make informed choices regarding the incorporation of such principles into architecture and urban design projects. 

• B.1 Pre-Design

Ability to prepare a comprehensive program for an architectural project, which must include an assessment of client and user needs, an inventory of spaces and their requirements, an analysis of site conditions (including existing buildings), a review of the relevant building codes and standards, including relevant sustainability requirements, and assessment of their implications for the project, and a definition of site selection and design assessment criteria. 

• B.2 Site Design

Ability to respond to site characteristics including urban context and developmental patterning, historical fabric, soil, topography,  climate,  building orientation, and watershed in the development of a project design.   

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Course Level Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Use abstract concepts and ideas in design projects.
2. Use two-dimensional and three-dimensional media effectively.
3. Employ sensitivity to the “craft” of making.
4. Use critical and iterative design processes.
5. Participate and share ideas in a common dialogue.
6. Apply organizational skills and time management.
7. Develop cognitive strategies for analysis and implementation of design ideas.

PROGRAM-LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Program Level Outcomes (PSLO’s) - This course is a required component of the following degree plans: the Associate of Science (AS) in Architecture and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Architectural CAD Specialization.

At the completion of the Associate of Science (AS) degree in Architecture, the student will be able to:

A1. Write and speak effectively and use representational media appropriate for both writing and speaking within the architectural profession and with the general public (Professional Communication Skills).

A2. Raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test alternative outcomes against relevant criteria and standards (Design Thinking Skills).

A3. Identify and effectively use basic formal, organizational and environmental principles and the capacity of each to inform two- and three-dimensional design (Architectural Design Skills).

A4. Identify and apply the fundamentals of both natural and formal ordering systems and the capacity of each to inform two- and three-dimensional design (Ordering Systems).