Course Details

1. Identify the basic principles of architectural technology. Relate architectural technology with the stages of study. Differentiate art and construction principles in architecture and determine similarities and contrasts.
2. Recognize the basic laws of nature and the deformation of bearing components under load. Identify the basic actions and stresses: Compression, Tension, Bending, Buckling, Shear and Cut. Differentiate the durability and the stiffness of structures. Outline communication and collaboration with the civil engineer through design.
3. Identify the basic building materials and systems. Distinguish actions and stresses of structural components according to their material. Define the basic building systems, i.e. reinforced concrete structures and light structures (steel and wood).
4. Identify structural elements and the basic members of structure: Roofing, External walls, Internal partitioning, Floors and Foundation. Design of bearing members based on function, form, bioclimatic behavior and economic limitations. Recognize the main types of bearing systems: Frame, Three-point connected arch or frame, post and beam system. Recognize the main types of joints: Fixed, Pin, Rolling. Identify primary and secondary bearing members.
5. Develop architectural representation and construction drawings. Create construction plans, sections, elevations, formwork plans, details and 3d representations. Implement the study by constructing a small light structure in actual size.

Introduction to architectural technology: Basic principles of architectural technology. Architectural technology and stages of study. Art and construction principles in architecture, similarities and contrasts.

Knowledge and use of basic laws of nature: Deformation of bearing components under load. Basic actions and stresses: Compression, Tension, Bending, Buckling, Shear and Cut. Durability and stiffness of structures. Communication and collaboration with the civil engineer through design.

Identification and Characterization of Basic Building Materials and Systems: Actions and stresses of structural components according to the building material. The basic building systems: Reinforced concrete structures and light structures (steel and wood).

Identification of structural elements: Basic members of structure: Roofing, External walls, Internal partitioning, Floors and Foundation. Design of bearing members based on function, form, bioclimatic behavior and economic limitations. Main types of bearing systems: Frame, Three-point connected arch or frame, post and beam system. Main types of joints: Fixed, Pin, Rolling. Primary and secondary bearing members.

• N.Kalogeras, Ch.Kirpotin, G.Makris, I.Papaioannou, S.Rautopoulos, M.Tzitzas, P.Touliatos, Architectural Technology, Symmetria Editions, Athens, 1999.

• Hristos Athanasopoulos, Building construction, design and technology, Hristos Athanasopoulos Edition, 2003.
• S.Koukis, Building Technology, Grafikes Technes Edition, Athens, 2001
• Mario Salvadori, The bearing structure in architecture, Themeli Editions, Athens, 1981
• Alexandros Zanos, Architectural Form and Bearing Function, Alexandros Zanos Edition, Athens, 1983.
• W.Huntington-R. Mickadelt, Building Construction Materials and Types of Construction, J. Viley and Sons, 1981
• Mario Salvadori, Why Buildings stand up- The strength of Architecture, Norton and Co, 1990

The taught part of the course is delivered to the students by means of lectures and computer-aided presentations. Lecture notes and presentations are available through the web for students to use in combination with the relevant textbooks.

Lectures are supplemented with project work carried out on an individual basis. Students are requested to design and produce construction details for a small light structure. During the semester, course instructors are making comments and corrections on the students’ proposals, at every stage of the process. Two to three  final studies are selected to be implemented by working teams of ten to twelve students each.