A. Technical Issues

1. Types of structural systems
2. Types of plumbing, HVAC electrical and fire protection systems
3. Size and types of bricks
4. Size of wood members
5. Simple structural calculations
6. Select wood joists and rafters from tables
7. Use Weyerhauser I-Level Forte software for selection of Truss Joists and solid sawn lumber members
8. Steel section designations
9. Select steel bar joists from tables
10. Understand window catalogs
11. Parts of a window
12. Window types
13. Parts of a door
14. Door handing
15. Types of paints and stains, and their application
16. How architects are licensed in Illinois
17. 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

18. Surveying - Plat of Survey, topographic survey, utility survey
19. Soil borings
20. Traffic studies

21. Building codes

International Code Council Model Codes:

Building Code
Residential Code
Mechanical Code
Plumbing Code
Fuel Gas Code
Energy Conservation Code

Local Amendments to Code
What is meant by "Construction Type" in the code
How to determine which Construction Type to use
Fire ratings of structural elements
Fire Separation Ratings for walls and floors
How to determine rating requirements for 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
Requirements for natural light and ventilation in residential occupancies

22. OSHA
23. Meaning of ICC, ASTM, NFPA, and ANSI
24. Accessibility Codes: Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Illinois Accessibility Code

Contrast
Spatial tension
Balance
Movement
Rhythm
Proportion
Scale

Point
Line
Shape
Form
Volume
Space
Sequence
Texture
Pattern
Color
Light

3. "Parti"
4. Site analysis
5. Program analysis
6. Planning techniques
7. Impact of civil engineering design on site plan - "Best Practices"
8. Parking lot layout
9. Topography design
10. Stair design
11. Ramp design
12. Toilet layout
13. Fenestration
14. Roof slopes
15. Appropriate form arrangement
16. Landscape design

C. Cost Estimating

Take off material quantities
Use Means Cost Estimating Guide
Use Excel software to create spreadsheet cost analysis
Use Timberline Software to do cost estimate

D. Sustainability

1. LEED Rating system
2. LEED Checklists
3. Energy Conservation Code
4. Use ResCheck and ComCheck software to determine whether a building will meet the Energy Conservation Code
5. Renewable energy sources (solar, wind)
6. Green Building Code
7. Building Operations and Maintenence best practices

E. Drawing

1. Freehand drawing techniques

Line
Shading
Coloring

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

4. Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

Draw lines, arcs and circles
Create and insert blocks
Create layers and assign color, lineweight, linetypes
Attach xrefs
3D extrusions and regions
Viewing
Shading
Perspective
Set up layouts
Print drawings using layouts

5. Google SketchUP and Google Earth

6. BIM (Building Information Modeling)

Draw walls, doors, windows, floors, stairs, ramps and roofs
Create and insert Families
Create Masses and attach walls, floors and roofs
Create in-place Components
Create plans, elevations, sections and perspective views
Create room, door, window schedules
Render drawings
Place views on sheets
Print drawings

7. Model building

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

8. Oral Presentations

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

F. Portfolio Preparation

Media
Container
Selection of content
Sequence
Text
Model photographs
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe InDesign
Copying, printing and binding


G. Materials

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

H. Construction Tools

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

I. Contracts & Legal

Owner-Architect Agreement
Owner-Contractor Agreement
A201 General Conditions
Change Order Forms
Pay Request Forms
Integrated Project Delivery Method

J. Architectural History

Names of well-known architects
Names of well-known buildings and approximate dates
Identification of styles
Knowledge of classical architecture terminology
Understanding of the development of architectural theory
Understanding of our own period in history and how it relates to the past