COURSE REQUIREMENTS & DESCRIPTION

This semester, students will learn the design process and the use of representational tools.

This semester students will learn how to establish a design process to follow and also learn digital and manual tools to represent their ideas. The process and tools they learn at the beginning of the semester will be used repeatedly during the course of the semester, until students are proficient at them.

Following the initial weeks learning these tools of representation, students will be assigned three design projects to practice with. Small in scale, these projects will be asked to consider topics in addition to the use of process and tools. Topics covered may include:

• Passive design
• A connection to site
• Meaning derived from use
• Use of modules in design

At the end of each project, there will be a formal review of student projects with outside critics. These reviews are mandatory and student participation in them will count toward each student's project grade.

There will also be incremental due dates for each project as well as presentation days posted on Blackboard throughout the semester.

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Class Contact Hours per week: 5

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS & COURSE MATERIALS

Textbooks:

• No Textbook is required for this course
• Project readings may be assigned and posted to Blackboard periodically throughout the semester

Materials to be purchased by Student:

• Sketchbook (minimum 50 pages, spiral bound, either 8.5”x11” or 9”x12” - Unlined)
• Drawing pencils
• (1) pad of Bristol 11”x17”
• Other project materials as assigned throughout the semester

Materials:

Internet connection required for any online course content.

COURSE RATIONALE

ARCH 1304: Architectural Design II is offered through the Architectural and Engineering Computer Aided Design Department of Austin Community College. This course is offered to those interested in architectural design generally or as a 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 1304 uses the Texas Common Course Numbering (TCCN) System to facilitate transfer to a Texas public university. 

PREREQUISITES

ARCH 1303 Architectural Design I

IMPORTANT DATES

• First Day of the ACC Spring 2025 Semester: Tuesday, January 21, 2025           
• First day of Class: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
• Last Day to Withdraw from the Course: Monday, April 28, 2025  
• Final Day of the ACC Spring 2025 Semester: Sunday, May 18, 2025

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

This course is taught in an in-person format. In-person meetings will consist of group discussion, project critiques, and laboratory work time.  Students will also use the Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions and submitting assignments.

Assignments will be presented in class as well as being posted to Blackboard, and must be completed by the given due date. All assignments must be turned into Blackboard, as noted in the assignment instructions.  Blackboard will be used for instructor grading.  Communication with the instructor outside of the physical classroom will be conducted via email, Zoom, or Blackboard.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of spatial relationships.
2. Engage and apply a design approach across multiple scales and contexts.
3. Produce projects that demonstrate an awareness of the natural environment.
4. Recognize the use of project programs.
5. Recognize the use of precedents.
6. Explain the significance of proportion and scale in the built environment. 
7. Select the appropriate representational media to translate programmatic issues into architectural form.
8. Articulate verbal and formal compositional vocabulary of basic architectural concepts. 

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:

1. 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).
2. 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).
3. 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).
4. 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).

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.