Certification in Architecture
Things students should know after finishing Triton College architecture program


A. Technical Issues

1. Size and types of bricks
2. size of wood members
3. steel section designations
4. simple structure calculations
5. select wood joists and rafters from tables
6. select steel bar joists from tables
7. understand window catalogs
8. parts of a window
9. window types
10. parts of a door
11. door handing
12. types of paints and stains, and their application
13. how architects and interior designers obtain licensing in Illinois
14. basics of zoning ordinances:

meaning of "FAR" - how to calculate it
how to calculate number of parking spaces necessary
how to find out what type of building use is allowed in a zoning district
how to determine minimum set back requirements

15. basics of building codes

what is meant by "construction type"
how to determine which construction type to use
fire ratings
how to determine occupancy separations
meaning of travel distance and how to determine maximum travel distance
swing of doors
minimum size of doors
tread/riser dimensions
handrail height and diameter
when fire sprinkler systems are required


16. OSHA
17. Meaning of ASTM, NFPA, and ANSI
18. Accessibility Codes and ADA

B. Design Issues
1. Basic design concepts

contrast
spatial tension
balance
movement
rhythm
proportion
scale

2. Design elements


point
line
shape
form
volume
space
sequence


3. Parti
4. Site analysis
5. Program analysis
6. Planning techniques
7. Parking lot layout
8. Topography design
9. Stair design
10. Ramp design
11. Toilet layout
12. Fenestration
13. Roof slopes
14. Appropriate form arrangement
15. Landscape design

C. Drawing
1. Freehand techniques


line
shading
coloring


2. Collage techniques
3. Instrument hard-line drawing


Orthographic drawing
Generation of angled faces
use of cutting planes
Isometric
Oblique
Perspective
Shades and shadows
Reflections
Material rendition
Glazing rendition


4. Computer drawing


lines, arcs and circles
3d faces
blocks
xrefs
extrusions and regions
viewing
shading
perspective


5. Model building


Foam core cutting
Bristol Board
Generation of faces
cutting and detailing windows and doors
Model bases
Identification


6. Presentations


Board sequence
Board construction techniques
Board unification & titles
Oral presentation techniques
Mixing color and black-and-white
Collage techniques

D. Materials


Wood
Masonry
Concrete
Steel
Metals
Insulations
Roofing systems
Waterproofing systems
Fasteners
Paints and stains



E. Construction Tools


Hammers
Saws
Planes
Sanding
Finishing
Power tools
Scaffolding & ladders
Hoists
Construction lifts
Generators
Temporary Heat

 

F. Contracts & Legal


Owner-Architect Agreement
Owner-Contractor Agreement
A201 General Conditions
Change Order Forms
Pay Request Forms

 

G. History


Names of well-known architects
Names of well-known buildings and approximate dates
Identification of styles

Knowledge of classical architecture terminology