Computer Aided Architectural Design & Technology HND (SCQF level 8)

Course description

If you are interested in starting a career in architecture this is the course for you! This SQA accredited architectural design and technology course introduces the learner to the role of an architect or architectural designer/technician in contemporary architectural practice through project-based learning and is led by architects.

HNC (HND Year 1)

The HNC year begins by introducing the learners to the design process through the development of project proposals for a garden studio and a Bothy. The process follows a journey of site exploration, precedent studies research, an introduction to carbon literacy and sustainable architecture, with learners producing full sketchbooks of concept sketches to arrive at final proposals for their client.

In parallel to the introductory design projects learners are introduced to digital skills using the industry standard 2d and 3d computer aided drawing (cad) software packages of AutoCAD, Sketchup, Revit, and Photoshop to communicate their proposals.

Learners use the introductory skills acquired to prepare proposals for a rural house. The thorough design process includes site analysis, sustainability strategy development, concept and development sketches, massing studies, and the final production of a full package of 2d cad orthographic drawings, construction details, and 3d visualisations all produced using the Revit software. The proposal development uses project-based learning to place architectural professional practice procedures, Building Information Modelling (BIM) and construction technology theory in context.

The end of year HNC project consolidates the learning journey with the creation of design proposals for a Glasgow Green based Social Bite Village tiny house sustainable community for the homeless. The proposals follow nine environmental design principles integrated into the project brief to create sustainable solutions that address the net zero carbon Scotland 2045 ambition - follow passive design principles, use sustainable materials, select off-site construction methods, integrate renewable technologies, involve the community, create community gardens, encourage biodiversity, connect with green transport, and create a variety of green spaces. Design project proposals develop from initial site, brief and precedent analysis to concept design sketches to final proposal solutions produced in 2d orthographic cad drawings, 3d visualisations and 2d construction drawings using the acquired knowledge of the software of AutoCAD, Sketch-up, Revit, and Photoshop, and are presented in handmade scaled models in a collaboratively produced site model prepared within a modelmaking dedicated class.

In 2021 four final HNC project proposals for the Social Bite Village were selected for inclusion in the New Glasgow Society COP 26 exhibition to be shown next to student work from UK architecture schools and was featured in the Architect's Journal as an exhibition for architects to visit during the climate change conference COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021. The image above is of one of the projects selected for inclusion in the COP26 exhibition.

To complement the projects learners are introduced to key international architectural styles in architectural history and analyse these through social, political, and technological contexts within a dedicated history of architecture class. Following our class history of architecture walking tour of Glasgow in early 2022 our HNC class prepared 11 articles on key buildings and each student's work was published in the Herald Newspaper Saturday Magazine every week from April to July 2022.  One student's work was also chosen for inclusion in the Alexander Thomson Society Journal 2023.

We delight at seeing our students grow and develop through the course and become engaged actively in their own learning through the series of projects. This learning journey is enhanced with a series of visits and guest talks featuring former students returning to passionately talk about their post course route to becoming architects or architectural technicians in practice.

Computer Aided Architectural Design and Technology Portfolio.

Please follow us on Instagram and read about our course in the Herald article Taking the College Route into Architecture.

The HNC is a blended learning course combining online learning through our Canvas platform and in person learning at our City campus.

HND (Year 2)

The HND year has a strong focus on architectural technology - exploring the application of Building Information Modelling, developing 3D cad visualisation skills, and broadening the depth of appreciation for construction technology detailing based on commercial building types. These all blend to form a core foundation of knowledge centred on the design of an applied arts and building craft campus.

The course is placed on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework at Level 8.