Saint Mary’s College High School Intro to Architecture and Design 2016-2017 Mr. Heuer Overview Course Length: 1 Trimester (12 weeks) Grade Levels: 11th and 12th Prerequisites: Geometry I and II Text: Introduction to Architecture by Francis D.K. Ching and James F. Eckler. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Apps: Morpholio Trace The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the world of architecture, design, and the built environment. Throughout this 12-week course, students will study historic structures, learn the basics of architectural drawing and modeling, gain an understanding of how structure informs design, appreciate how design impacts the environment and how sustainability can enhance design, participate in peer led critiques of their works and the works of others, and learn how spaces and objects are not just seen, but experienced. This multi-disciplinary course will focus on problem solving through the lens of architecture and design. Students will learn how to create solutions to multi-variable problems, and in some cases come up with multiple solutions to the same problem. Use of architectural conventions such as sketching, drawing floor plans, elevations, sections, and making physical and digital models will aid in the problem solving process. Students will learn from masters of the past by researching and studying some of the great accomplishments in design history, including architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, furniture and object design. Assessments will include a research paper on a historic piece of design, a case-study on a structure, space, or object of choice, and two design projects. Skills practiced will be free-hand drawing, technical drawing, and 3D modeling. Key Learning Outcomes: • • • • • • • •

To learn from the masters of the past by studying a variety of buildings and structures and their historical significance To learn “how to see” by drawing and photographing To understand the fundamentals of design programming and concepts To develop a systematic approach to problem solving as it pertains to design To understand the basics of freehand drawing, architectural drafting and 3d model making To gain a better appreciation for the built world around us To understand how our environment is experienced by a person in addition to how it looks from afar To utilize technology such as apps to enhance our appreciation of the built environment

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To understand how what we build impacts the planet and its resources and how sustainability is incorporated into design To incorporate aspects of engineering, math, physics, and art into design solutions

Essential Questions: • • • • • • •

How does the built environment affect how I experience the world around me? How can I learn from past architectural works? How do design decisions affect us on a local and global scale, both behaviorally and environmentally? What are the steps needed to approach a design solution? How can technology contribute to the problem solving process? How do structural requirements affect design? How can the fundamentals of design and problem solving relate to other aspects of life?

Unit 1: Introduction to space planning, design, the built environment, experience Students will learn basic design principles and apply them to objects and spaces of varying types. Concepts and skills covered will include taking measurements, thinking about how we experience the built environment, and understanding how design affects every day life. Unit 2: History of Architecture and Design Students will study examples of design from the masters of the past, including structures, gardens, furniture, and product design. A short research paper will be included. Unit 3: Drawing and Technology Students will learn the basics of freehand drawing as a means of learning how to better see the environment around us. An introduction to architectural drawing and how technology is used to produce drawings will be included. Students will also learn how to use various applications on their iPads to aid in the design process. Unit 4: Structure Students will learn the importance of how structural requirements inform design decisions on scales both large and small, from single story residences, to skyscrapers, to bridges. Topics covered will include shear forces, live loads, different types of bridge designs, and innovations in the field of structural engineering. Unit 5: Sustainable Design Students will learn about the impact that construction has on the environment. Use of resources, pollution, waste, and energy use will be studied, as well as alternative building methods, sustainable materials, renewable resources, and “Green” design methods. Unit 6: Case Study Students will choose a house, building, garden, public space, or object of choice and focus on all aspects of design that surround it. Students will be required to recreate drawings and a detailed model of their subject, as well as understand its historical significance.

Final Design Project Students will be faced with a design problem and will produce sketches, design studies, floor plans, sections, elevations, and a model. Final projects will be critiqued in a peer-review format. Actual design problem TBD, and may change term to term. How Grades Are Determined and Grading Policy Levels of student performance on assessments will be reported using letter grades. See below for an explanation of an I grade. Academic grade is based on tests, quizzes, class work, homework, and projects. Students are expected to take notes daily, keep a binder of work, participate in class discussions and critiques, and ask for assistance when needed. Habits of Scholarship (0%) Effort, attendance, & behavior are essential aspects of a student’s habits of scholarship. Habits of Scholarship will be reported in a separate mark every six weeks (E = Exceed Standards, M = Meets Standards, U = Does Not Meet Standards). Grade of “I” or Incomplete Grade A final summative grade of “I” will be assigned at the end of the term when a student does not complete the requirements for the course. Because the number of assessments in this class is limited, the midterm exams and all essays must be completed or the student will receive an “I” final grade. The “I” is a permanent grade. It is the equivalent of an “F” grade and is calculated in the student’s GPA as such. When an “I” is assigned, the value of credits attempted and credits completed equals zero. Re-Testing Policy Any major summative exam—except for the final exam—can be retaken once for full replacement of the original grade under the following conditions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

There will be one (1) opportunity to retest per major test/assessment. Students have a right to re-test provided they show evidence of observable, consistent, assiduous habits of scholarship. Students who exhibit proficiency (i.e., a B or better) may be advised not to retake the assessment. If a student has exhibited proficiency on the exam, the retake may have negligible effect on the overall learning (and grade) in the course, and subsequent course assessments provide opportunities to show mastery. Students must take the retest opportunity during A Block within five school days of the return of the original exam. Teachers reserve the right to offer students a retake of part or all of the assessment, the results of which replace the portion of the exam that was retested even if the student performs less well on the retake. In some classes, the program of assessment is designed so that subsequent major exams are assessments of students’ cumulative knowledge & skills, and performance on those subsequent exams incorporate the knowledge & skills measured in prior exam(s). In other words, retesting is already incorporated into the program of assessments, so re-testing is unnecessary.

Behavioral Expectations: The nature of this class—a college prep course—requires students behave maturely and appropriately every day. My expectation is that you are a mature, responsible college-bound student. Since all students deserve the optimal academic environment. A safe, focused classroom environment is essential to maintain. Specifically, inappropriate use of iPads and handheld technology will be addressed fairly and clearly following the school’s one-to-one technology policies.

Participation: You need to take responsibility for your education. Participation in class discussions will be expected. Please make sure to ask questions when you do not understand concepts or assignments. Participation is part of being prepared for class, and will not be included in your grade. Before class begins, you should have your book, notebook, homework, pencil, and other materials on your desk. Academic Honesty Policy: There is a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on cheating. Whether it is on an assignment or an exam, students caught cheating, or heavily suspected of cheating in any way will earn an F with no chance of make-up. Student will be referred to their counselor and a parent conference may be set up. School’s academic discipline policy will be enforced. A second incident may result in an F for the trimester. Classroom Rules: ● Follow directions at all time. ● Be prompt. Report to class on time. ● Be prepared. ● Be responsible. Turn in all assignments on time. If absent, it is your responsibility to make up any assignments. All assignments are due on the designated due date. If a student knows he/she will be absent on the day an assignment due, they must notify me prior to the absence. Assignments will be posted on my web site. ● No eating, chewing gum, sunglasses, personal grooming materials, cosmetics, cellular phones or disruptive devices allowed in class. These items will be confiscated. ● Be respectful. Treat every person with respect. Do not interrupt the teacher or your peers while they are speaking. Use your words and actions carefully and wisely. Treat classmates with kindness and fairness. Respect classroom property. ● Students are expected to follow St. Mary’s College High School rules as outlined in the student handbook. Contact Information: Email [email protected] – This is my preferred initial contact information. I check it numerous times during the day. Tutoring: Available during A block after school. Grading Scale: 93-100% A 90-92% A87-89% B+

83-86% B 80-82% B77-79% C+

73-76% 70-72% 67-69%

C CD+

63-66% D 60-62% D0-59% F