Building Construction II, Arch 222-MA11

Matthias Altwicker – maltwick@nyit.edu - http://iris.nyit.edu/~maltwick/

02:00PM- 05:05PM, MC61- Rm 623
Office hours Monday 9-12, by appointment.

The present crisis of the profession is due to an incompetence which hides the architect in a golden, pseudo-artistic world. This
mystification leads the architect to take a marginal role, abrogating the role of the builder. This is of great cultural importance.
Unfortunately, in our society, there is always one who thinks and the one who performs, the one who plans and the one who
constructs, but it is impossible to separate the two if we want to assure creative continuity in the profession. – Renzo Piano

This course will introduce you to building construction and materials, and their interrelationship with the
environment. While initial architectural concepts may involve understanding construction and material in
spatial or formal terms, the making of architecture is defined by parameters from the climate, the site, and
the efficiency and logic of the systems used. Construction and material can reciprocally inform a design
concept and enrich its ultimate potential. The technology sequence at NYIT is to be understood as
parallel and integrated with the studio experience. Just as it is expected that issues of sustainability and
construction manifest themselves within your studio projects, it is also expected that issues of form and
space manifest themselves in the building construction course. Structure and material are not to be
applied, either conceptually or literally, to architecture: they are inherent in every line you draw, just as
they should be inherent in every work of architecture you create.

While Building Construction I looked at wood and masonry construction systems, Building Construction II
will focus on more complex systems of construction, steel and concrete. This class will introduce
materials and systems of construction. It will quickly become apparent to you that there are many more
constructive possibilities than can be taught in a five-year curriculum, let alone a two-course sequence.
What is more interesting and helpful for you is to learn a methodology for dealing with the variety of
constructive situations you will face.

Mario Cucinella Behnisch+Behnisch

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Course Methodology

The methodology for the course places an emphasis on how parameters of climate, construction, and
material define the making of a piece of architecture, both in form and in detail. By making we are
interested in how these parameters control and define both the broad decisions and the specific details
behind implementation and expression of a construction system in your building.

The development of the details of the building will always manifest themselves in constructive layers that
are inherent in all constructive systems - Bearing, Insulation, Protective, Finish. Furthermore, each of
these layers must always relate to a specific condition between the environment and the building -
Foundation, Wall, Roof. The complexity of these interactions makes the resolution of even a simple
building a challenging task of coordination and synchronization between varying demands.

Class Structure

Each class period will typically contain the following:

1) Lectures, approximately 1-1.5 hrs. in length, will focus on one of the aspects of construction or
construction systems, introducing the general ideas behind that system and showing a number of specific
case studies that articulate an intelligent development of this system. Class time will also be used to
discuss the required readings and their relationship to the projects shown. Students are strongly
encouraged to ask questions during the lectures.

2) Work and review sessions will fill the remaining class time, and primarily be used to develop and
discuss the assignment in a studio-like setting. Every class will have required assignments that make a
discussion possible, and it is expected that these requirements are completed at the beginning of class.
The content of specific weekly reading assignments in relationship to the case studies will also be
discussed.

Texts

The required texts for this course are Fundamentals of Building Construction (FBC) and Architectural
Detailing (AD), both by Edward Allen.

Additional sources of information which you should become familiar with and accustomed to using are:

Constructing Architecture: Materials, Processes, Structures Andrea Deplazes

Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery Charles J. Kibert
Sun, Wind and Light G.Z. Brown + Mark DeKay
Structure Systems Heino Engel
Details of Modern Architecture Vol.1&2 Edward Ford
Architectural Graphic Standards Ramsey / Sleeper
Construction Manuals (Steel, Masonry, Concrete, Wood) DETAIL publications

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NAAB Criteria

A4 Technical Documentation
Ability to make technically clear drawings, write outline specifications, and prepare models illustrating and
identifying the assembly of materials, systems, and components appropriate for a building design.

B10 Building Envelope Systems

Understanding of the basic principles involved in the appropriate application of building envelope systems
and associated assemblies relative to fundamental performance, aesthetics, moisture
transfer, durability, and energy and material resources.

B12 Materials and Assemblies

Understanding of the basic principles utilized in the appropriate selection of construction materials,
products, components, and assemblies, based on their inherent characteristics and
performance, including their environmental impact and reuse.

Assignment Methodology

Form, Structure, Skin

The initial 3 weeks of the class will introduce basic climate-driven responses based in building form.
Indigenous forms of architecture that clearly articulate the relationship between climate response and
building form will be shown. Students will be asked to develop strategies for relating building form,
structure, and skin driven by climate-related parameters.

Building Project: Steel and Concrete Construction

For both construction systems, you will be asked to design a simple building in a temperate climate. The
building form and site location will be driven by strategies that you create during the first part of the
semester; these will be further articulated by the use of construction systems and building details to
augment and improve the building performance.

For each assignment you will be asked to develop the building on three levels: structural system,
enclosure system, and building detail. Each assignment will build upon what was learned in the previous
one, to the point where you will have a detailed, developed final project.

Assignment Value

30% Bi-weekly assignments 6 total throughout the semester (5 points each)

35% Final Projects 3 total (relationships 7, steel 14, concrete 14)

30% Exams 2 total, related to lecture content and readings

Exams and Quizzes are open notebook, but not open book. It is suggested that you keep detailed,
graphic notes from class lectures and the readings. This will be something you can refer to during the
class discussion and during exams.

5% Attendance / Effort
The overall evaluation is subject to an adjustment factor based on your intensity of effort and commitment
to the course. It can be assumed that a minimum effort on these assignments will result in a poor
evaluation.

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Policies

Evaluation

Grades will consider the appropriateness of the idea, the project's completeness, the quality of
presentation, and the effort put into the submission. Both content and presentation are crucial to the
evaluation of assignments. Evaluation for content is based on the general quality, clarity, and
development of the solution. Evaluation of presentation will consider the quality, precision, and craft of
the presentation. As in studio, neither merely completing all the presentation requirements, nor merely
having a good idea, will be enough to achieve a good grade.

All work is expected to be completed by the assigned due date at the beginning of class.

The grading scale put forth in the university catalog will be used in this course:
A Superior A- Excellent
B+ Very Good B Good
B- Competent C+ Fair
C Satisfactory, Average C- Marginal
D Unsatisfactory F Failure

I Incomplete; this will only be assigned when a student misses class with an Institute-approved
absence and is unable to make up the work by the end of the term.

Attendance

Attendance at every class is expected. No work-related issues or medical appointments are to be

scheduled for class time regardless of convenience. The School of Architecture has a very specific policy
regarding attendance: two unexcused absences will result in a substantial lowering of your grade; three
unexcused absences requires a withdrawal from the course.

Arriving to class more than 15 minutes late will be considered an absence. All of you are well aware of
traffic and public transportation problems, so give yourself ample time to arrive in the classroom. Also:

- Cell/Smart phones are to be turned off during class time and will be confiscated if they disrupt the class.
- No eating during class time.

Portfolio

It is required that you submit a portfolio – hardcopy and digital - at the end of the semester in order to
receive a final grade. It will include reproductions of all final drawings.

A Note on Drawing Assignments and Computer Use

As important to this class as understanding constructive principles is how to represent them. Climate
diagrams, construction drawings, and details require careful attention to scale, precision, and line weight
that is radically different than what is expected of you in design studio.

It is important to remember that the computer is a tool for production and not an excuse for late or
unfinished work. If you are new to using the computer, do not use this class as a means to learn how to
use it. If you intend to use REVIT for the production of documents for this class, be aware that the stock
items in the program will not match your design.

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WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Note: only chapter titles have been given for the reading assignments as there are a variety of editions
available for purchase from the bookstore or online, or for reading in the library. If you have a question
about what should be read, please ask your instructor.
Class 1: January 23 Topic: Relationships: Form, Structure, Skin
Readings: none
Assignment: none

Class 2: January 30 Topic: Structure / Skin Classifications

Readings: “Techniques are the Very Basis of Poetry” (excerpt)
Assignment: climate configuration diagrams

Class 3: February 6 Topic: Form, Structure, Skin: Presentations

Readings: FBC Cladding with Metal and Glass
Assignment: diagrams: final presentation

Class 4: February 13 Topic: Steel: Basic Properties and Components

Readings: FBC, Steel Frame Construction
Assignment: Steel 1

: February 20 Topic: NO CLASS - PRESIDENT'S DAY

Readings: “Double-Skin Facades” (excerpt)
Assignment:

Class 5: February 27 Topic: Steel: Curtain Wall Types

Readings: AD Controlling Heat Flow and Water Vapor
Assignment: Steel 2

Class 6: March 5 Topic: Steel: Complex Structure

Readings: FBC Roofing
Assignment: none

Class 7: March 12 Topic: Steel: Complex Form

Readings: FBC Glass and Glazing
Assignment: Steel 3

: March 19 Topic: NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK

Readings:
Assignment:

Class 8: March 26 Topic: Steel: Final Project and Exam

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 Readings: none
Assignment: Steel Final

Class 9: April 2 Topic: Concrete: Basic Properties and Components

Readings: FBC Concrete Construction; Sitecast and Precast Framing Systems
Assignment: Concrete 1

Class 10: April 9 Topic: Field Trip: Manhattan Curtain Walls

Readings: none
Assignment: none

Class 11: April 16 Topic: Concrete: Curtain Wall Types

Readings: FBC Cladding with Masonry and Concrete
Assignment: Concrete 2

Class 12: April 23 Topic: Concrete: Complex Structure

Readings: AD Accommodating Movement, Controlling leakage
Assignment: Bring in Design 2 project for discussion

Class 13: April 30 Topic: Concrete: Complex Form

Readings: AD Constructability; Ease of Assembly
Assignment: Concrete 3

Class 14: May 7 Topic: Review Week

Readings: none
Assignment: take home Concrete Exam

Class 15: May 14 Topic: Concrete: Final Project

Readings: none
Assignment: Concrete Final and Portfolio due