course description + methodology

This course is focused upon the materials and methods of construction technologies in the shaping of interior environments. MATERIAL - surfaces, substances, finishes, character, value, meaning, tolerance, weight and measure - and METHODS - process, fabrication, by product, assembly, prototypes and industry practices.

Lectures and readings will provide core material, but we will also test material characteristics and assemblies by making things - physical prototypes to test material properties, joints and details, textile designs and tactile charts.

We'll find out how others make things, too, visiting with people in the field who make things for a living, and some who do it just because they love it. We will explore the materials and assemblies that surround us everyday -- from campus buildings to coffee shops, shopping malls to city hall, our homes, our countertops, our kitchen cupboard.

We will also recognize Newton's third law which says that matter is neither created nor destroyed; the social, environmental and economic ethics of interior design will be a continuous dialogue throughout our study, as we learn the value, debates and dilemmas of using and building with the material resources of our planet.

Lecture and textbook material on methods and assemblies will cover fundamental construction detailing for interior environments, from floors to ceilings, doors to stairs, building upon previous understanding of basic building construction types. This will include an overview of the languages and logics of building codes and construction documents, schedules and specifications.

The course material is divided into three sections:
Part 1: Material Taxonomies
Part 2: Material Assemblies
Part 3: Interior Finishes, Fixtures, Codes + Specifications

Field Trips will be scheduled during class or lab time, or with a reasonable agreement of a class meeting time to accommodate the journey. Hands-on projects will take place during class or lab times in either the Design Workshop, Design Studio, or Materials Lab; we'll review ahead of each session where classes or demonstrations will be held.

Assignments include readings for class, design + construction projects to explore material s and methods, and short construction document exercises to develop skills in interior detailing, nomenclature and communication. In addition, comprehension will be tested through the semester via short summary presentations and occasional quizzes on selected topics covered in lectures, readings or field trips, and

You should expect to spend an additional 3-6 hours per week outside of class or lab time to satisfactorily complete the work.

required supplies

3-ring binder for keeping handouts, with pockets for storage and paper for notes + diagrams

required texts (University Co-op)

Building Construction Illustrated, 3rd Edition,
Francis D.K. Ching: John Wiley + Sons Inc., New York, 2001

Interior Construction and Detailing for Designers and Architects,
David Kent Ballast: Professional Publications Inc. 2002

additional texts for reference

Experiencing Architecture
Steen Eiler Rasmussen: MIT Press, 1959

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
William McDonough and Michael Braungart: North Point Press, 2002

Smart Materials and Technologies for the Architecture and Design Professions
Michelle Addington and Daniel Schodek, Architectural Press

course objectives

understanding that materials and products are appropriately selected and applied on the basis of their properties and performance criteria, as well as knowledge of sources for materials and products

understanding of the concept of sustainable resources of interior materials as well as the impact on health and welfare by materials during harvesting, production, installation, inhabitation and renovation.

understanding that design solutions affect and are impacted by construction systems and methods (for example, wood-frame, steel-frame, masonry, concrete structures, etc) relative to interior materials.

understanding that design solutions affect and are impacted by ceiling systems, flooring systems, environmental controls, and technological systems.

understanding that design solutions affect and are impacted by interface of furnishings, fixtures and equipment with building systems.

exposure to codes, regulations, standards (TAAS. IRC, etc), fire and life safety principles and barrier free design concepts.

exposure to skills in the preparation of contract documents as a system of drawing, schedules and specifications through examination of construction/demolition plans, lighting, reflected ceiling plans, finish plans, furniture, fixture + equipment plans, data/telecommunication plans.

development of schematic design skills in relation to interior materials, such as the preliminary specification of interior finishes. and skills in typical construction detail drawings, lettering and notation for the communication of a material assembly.

ability to communicate clearly in writing (using correct spelling, grammar and syntax) in specifications, schedules and other business-related documents such as project programs, concept statements, reports, research papers, and other correspondence.

evaluation

Final work must satisfy all requirements as outlined in the problem and exercise statements, and corresponding point values will be assessed. Deadlines will be established for all assignments. Later work will be accepted up to 24 hours past the deadline; it will receive a 10 point penalty.

required coursework and grading
ex.1 MATERIAL TAXONOMIES 10%
ex.2 MATERIAL ASSEMBLY 10%

ex.3 TEXTILE PROJECT 20%
ex.4 ASSEMBLY DISSECTION 10%

SET of CD EXERCISES 10%
STUDENT SUMMARIES + QUIZZES 10%

FINAL EXAM 30%
100%

An Incomplete can be given only for non-academic reasons of illness or family emergency. Simply not completing work on time is not an adequate cause for assigning this evaluation. It may only be used after consultation with the Associate Deans' offices and with an agreement as to a new completion date.

ALL GRADES ARE SUBJECT TO DEDUCTIONS FOR ABSENCES, LATE WORK AND LATE ARRIVALS.

course policies :: attendance + class conduct

Be on time. THREE LATE ARRIVALS (arrival 10 minutes after roll is taken will be recorded as late) will be the equivalent of ONE absence.

Attendance is mandatory. Participation is expected. Sometimes illness or emergencies may prevent your attendance - thus, for these cases, it's assumed that you may miss up to three class periods during the semester. EACH ABSENCE, FOR ANY REASON, BEYOND THREE (except in rare extenuating circumstances requiring department approval) WILL RESULT IN A REDUCTION OF YOUR FINAL EARNED GRADE BY ON LETTER GRADE POINT.

I will always be courteous and inform you through email or the through the School of Architecture Office if I will not be able to attend a class meeting; you are expected to do the same. (3) consecutive absences without giving prior notice and you may be dropped from the course without further notice.

PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES DURING CLASS TIME. PERSONAL PHONE CALLS ARE NOT PERMITTED DURNING SCHEDULED MEETING HOURS.

general university policies

students with disabilities

Please notify your instructor of any adaptation you may require to accommodate a specific physical need. You will be requested to provide documentation to the Dean of Students' Office, in order that the most appropriate accommodations can be determined. Specialized services are available on campus through the Services for Students with Disabilities, also found via the web at http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/ssd/.

academic integrity

Cheating is not tolerated at UT. Plagiarism is the most common form of academic dishonesty. Students can be suspended or expelled permanently from the University for Scholastic Dishonesty. Additional information on the definition of academic dishonesty including plagiarism can be found at http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/sjs/academic integrity.html. Please review this site.

adding or dropping the course

Friday, January 19^th is the last day of the official add/drop period; after this date, changes in registration require the approval of the undergraduate advisor and usually the dean. Wednesday, Jan 31^st is the 12^th class day; this is the date the official enrollment count is taken; it is the last class day an undergraduate student may add a course except in rare and extenuating circumstances. This is also the last day to drop a course for a possible refund (See the catalog, General Information, chapter 4 for approvals)