The study of construction materials and methods is useful to architects in several ways. In the past several years, building technology has become enormously complex and specialized, with new developments tending toward making past methods obsolete. The goal of BD+CS is to gain an understanding of the basic materials used in construction and to learn how these are put together to achieve strong, useful, and beautiful structures. First, one must be aware of construction industry standards to determine what is safe and practical. Second, one must be able to communicate design ideas through detailed drawings to those in the field who will actually perform the work. Finally, one must recognize the limitations of skilled craftsmen while appreciating their abilities to translate mere lines on paper into real buildings.
Learning Objectives:
