Module Overview

This Technical Design Studio: Steel and Timber module provides the vehicle for application and integration of technical knowledge and understanding delivered in parallel to the theoretical modules of Building Technology and Building Performance and the applied Building Information Modelling module.

This studio-based module explores materials and construction techniques employed in typical and non-typical contemporary construction focussing on and medium span non-residential steel framed buildings and multi-unit residential timber buildings.

The module introduces the discipline of research and information gathering allowing the student to develop the necessary skills for selection and assembly of appropriate building materials.  In parallel the module involves meeting contemporary and future building and energy performance criteria.

The module develops the learner’s techniques in three-dimensional technical design using a wide range of processes; sketches, esquisses, overlays, investigative models, manual and digital drawings. The module aims to improve the learner’s numerical and calculation skills. Along with soft ICT skills the learner is encouraged to use a range of generic computer applications in the generation of relevant construction information and present it in digital and physical form as well as in audio visual presentations.

The Technical Design Studio: Steel and Timber module precedes and is complimentary to The Technical Design Studio: Concrete and Environment module. Together these modules are designed to provide the tools and skills necessary for the Architectural Technologist to engage in the translation of a design intents into built reality.

In this semester-based module the work is divided into 5 projects:

Project 1; Passive House Detail: Students will document the detailed research, measurement and illustration of a student selected timber based passive house external wall detail. Students will use their presentation skills to report on their research and assemble the project data including the detailed research, materials, components and specification of the selected detail.

Project 2; Timber Building Study: Students will carry out and record detailed research of timber framed building systems including but not limited to materials, components, measurement, specification and construction techniques. The first 2 stages will cover investigative research into a/Primary, b/Secondary and Tertiary Timber Building Construction systems. The third and final stage is the construction of a digital multi-unit timber building from a brief using Revit.

Project 3; City Tour: This is a group project. Students will be designated a building to research in groups either in Dublin or a city that will form part of an organised tour (typically over review week). A detailed study will be carried out and presented by the group as a blog and podcast or similar.

Project 4; Steel Detail: Students will document the detailed research, measurement, specification and illustration of a student selected steel fabrication/construction detail. Students will compile reports using a selected multimedia digital application to assemble their project data and provide evidence of learning including the detailed research, materials, components, and specification of the selected steel detail.

Project 5; Steel Building Study: Students will carry out and record detailed research of steel building systems including but not limited to materials, components, measurement, specification and construction techniques. The first 3 stages will cover investigative research into a/Primary, b/Secondary and c/Tertiary Steel building construction systems. The fourth and final stage is the construction of a digital steel building from a brief using Revit.