APST 230 is intended for students enrolled in the BSc (Architecture) program at the RAIC Centre for Architecture at Athabasca University. For those students interested in pursuing a career as a registered architect, this course also contributes to the RAIC Syllabus Diploma.
Overview
Designers have an enormous impact on the environment. The architect’s design decisions and selection of materials affect every aspect of a building, from its presence in the urban fabric to the operation of its ventilation system. Members of the architecture profession must understand the impact of their art and craft so they can become stewards of a sustainable future.
APST 230 introduces characteristics of construction materials and discusses the appropriate applications of these materials. You will examine building systems, assemblies, components, and material characteristics, and you will learn to identify and analyze materials, the impact of environmental factors on materials, and the impact that materials have on the environment, occupant health, and the sustainability of resources.
Outline
Part 1: The Context of Building—Site and Substructure
Unit 1: Concepts in Sustainable Design
Unit 2: Site Analysis, Evaluation, and Design
Unit 3: Building Substructures—Part of the Building Envelope
Part 2: Structural Systems and Materials
Unit 4: Wood Structural Systems
Unit 5: Masonry Systems—Brick, Block, and Stone
Unit 6: Steel Frame Construction
Unit 7: Concrete
Part 3: Envelope Systems and Materials
Unit 8: Building Envelope—Cladding Systems
Unit 9: Building Envelope—Glazing, Windows, and Doors
Unit 10: Building Envelope—Roofing Systems
Part 4: Interior Materials and Finishing; Environmental Systems
Unit 11: Interior Materials and Finishing
Unit 12: Building Services
Learning outcomes
After completing this course, you should be able to
describe the functions and characteristics of common building systems and assemblies, including building envelope, structure, environmental management systems, and building services systems.
discuss the characteristics of building components and materials, including function, physical properties, grades, life cycle economics, embodied energy, availability, and the impact that materials’ production, use, and disposal have on the environment.
Evaluation
To receive credit for APST 230, you must achieve a cumulative grade of 67% or greater. Your work will be evaluated based on eight assignments. There is no final examination for this course.
The grading weights for the assignments are summarized in the table below.
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1 (Units 1–3)
5%
Assignment 2 (Units 1–3)
20%
Assignment 3 (Units 4–7)
5%
Assignment 4 (Units 4–7)
20%
Assignment 5 (Units 8–10)
5%
Assignment 6 (Units 8–10)
20%
Assignment 7 (Units 11–12)
5%
Assignment 8 (Units 11–12)
20%
Total
100%
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Allen, E., & Iano, J. (2019). Fundamentals of building construction: Materials and methods (7th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. (eText)
Lechner, N., & Andrasik, P. (2022). Heating, cooling, lighting: Sustainable design strategies towards net zero architecture (5th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. (eText)
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.