Architectural Design - AAD

Introduces the concepts of natural systems and their influence on human activity and the living environment. Reviews the historical context and cultural adaptations and introduces the basic management and use of the natural systems. Reviews natural, biological, cultural and design management philosophies.

This is a survey course of the profession of design. Covered in this course is a discussion of the fields of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Planning. Other design fields may be discussed as they relate to these professions. Topics may include types of firms and their specialties, what it takes to become a licensed practitioner for whom a design professional might work, salaries that might be achieved and the professional associations to which a design professional might belong.

This is a survey course of the profession of design. Covered in this course is a discussion of the fields of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Planning. Other design fields may be discussed as they relate to these professions. Topics may include types of firms and their specialties, what it takes to become a licensed practitioner for whom a design professional might work, salaries that might be achieved and the professional associations to which a design professional might belong.

Students will identify various digital drafting platforms and graphic software packages for presentation techniques. Emphasis will be placed upon the preparation of materials for a portfolio.

This class explores various urban design theories and their interrelation with architectural practice, urban planning, and urban design. Additionally, it reinforces the knowledge of contemporary and future urban design themes and their interrelations with sustainability, technology, mobility, and the human at multiple scales. The course also is designed to provide a collaborative, interactive, applied, and community-based environment for the development of spatial thinking and basic urban design literacy.

This class will explore the relationship between human societies and regional seismic events in the Great Basin Desert, urban wildland interface, and carbon-neutral design. The student will utilize projects and in-class assignments to develop integrated design skills. Field trips may be required at students' expense outside of scheduled hours; some class critique sessions may meet outside of scheduled hours.

Architectural management deals with the project management context within which architecture is practiced. Development of professional expertise to the methods used to generate work and charge fees. Emphasis on project briefing and contract administration phases of an architectural project, including development and contract law, project management frameworks, development of a design brief, a project consultancy agreement, and the administration of a building contract.

This class furthers the continued development of Architectural design processes and projects that cultivate an understanding of structures, properties of materials and building tectonics. Emphasis is placed upon precedent analysis, basic code and site related issues. Strong emphasis upon digital drafting methods which focus on digital platforms. Field trips required at students' expense outside of scheduled hours; some class critique sessions may meet outside of scheduled hours.

This course introduces students to the understanding and applying of technical, graphical and computational exercises in site design and topographical shaping. Introduction to sustainable site design and best management practices.

This course introduces students to the evolution and application of contemporary land use planning in the United States, emphasizing the four primary tools of development regulation: comprehensive planning, zoning, subdivision regulation, and capital improvement programming.