Arch 172:
Building Construction 1

Fall 2003 :
Course Home Page

Course Description :
This is an introduction to building construction dealing with the systems surrounding the making of buildings, building science, soils, foundations, wood frame systems and masonry systems.

Students will
· keep a detailed sketchbook of examples and details addressed in class,
· complete a series of quizzes
· complete an end of term major project.

Teaching Assistants:
Caroline Prochazka (masters) email
Daniel Hall (4A) email

Schedule of Classes: Mondays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Green Room, ES2-286

pdf of course outline
pdf of final project outline

Below are links to pdf copies of some fantastic guides put together by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation on different construction practices in Canada. They are fairly hefty in size, so download with a good connection. Each has a series of details contained within the text. The one on "Wood Frame" would be applicable to most areas of Canada. Since BC is so wet, they have developed a special set of details for BC construction. You could also refer to these for your work -- they are just "better" from a building science perspective. The BC guide also includes some more developed information on different assemblies.

Those of you detailing roofs without attics, need to look in the BC guide under roof assemblies for a sandwich type roof that is comprised of rigid polystyrene insulation rather than batt insulation. You need to vent batt insulation as it can retain moisture and freeze/leak. Rigid polystyrene (the blue stuff that comes in boards) is a closed cell system and does not get waterlogged. It is used on flat roofs and below grade around foundations.

Wood Frame Guide link 5.0MB

BC Wood Frame Guide link 10.0MB

The files listed below will take you to some interactive powerpoint files. Upload the files then go to the slide show mode. Every time you click your mouse, the detail will "build itself". You will be able to see all the materials and the sequence of assembly. They are all for wood frame with stucco or wood veneer. You will have to extrapolate the sequence as it applies to masonry veneer situations.

Window Head link
Window Sill link
Door Sill link
Exterior Stair Landing link
"Saddle" (where a roof parapet from a lower roof meets a wall) link
Exhaust Vent link

I would have shown these to you during the term but I just stumbed across them this weekend.

Links to the wood frame powerpoint large presentations that I showed during the term:

Structures and Properties of Wood (link to cwc.ca)
Post and Beam Construction (link to cwc.ca)
Principles of Wood Design (CWC Presentation) 10.8 MB

Reference Texts and other Materials:

CMHC. Canadian Wood Frame House Construction.

Allen, Edward. Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods.
Third Edition preferred. If you are using the Second Edition, please refer to the chapter titles (rather than numbers) and read the appropriate sections. The Fourth Edition is also recently out… Honestly, whatever you can get your hands on will do.

Course notes. Available online.
http://www.fes.uwaterloo.ca/architecture/faculty_projects/terri/crsnotes.html

The final term grade will consist of an average of submitted work as follows, however, FAILURE TO ACHIEVE A PASSING GRADE IN THE TERM PROJECT WILL CONSTITUTE FAILURE OF THE COURSE.

QUIZZES: 35% 7tests @ 5% each

MASONRY TRAINING or ARRISCRAFT: 5%

SKETCHBOOK: 10% You are required to keep a sketchbook of a series of overhead transparency detail drawings that will be done in class. The sketchbook will be able to be used during the quizzes for reference. You will also be expected to keep preliminary idea drawings for the Final Project in the sketchbook. It will be handed in concurrently with the Final Project for evaluation.

FINAL DESIGN: 50% a set of drawings (minimum requirements)
large scale wall section @1:10
structural axonometric @ 1:25 or 1:50
floor plans @ 1:50
perspective view (extra)