Architectural design as a way for civil engineers to learn building systems and BIM

Abstract

This paper profiles an innovative design course in an undergraduate civil engineering program. The course teaches architecture as a senior design option, while integrating multi-disciplinary building systems design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) into the course. Each student designs a complete fire station while satisfying the requirements of an architectural program for a real fire station. The course includes blocks on architectural programming and preliminary design, design development (including building systems design) and design integration and presentation. The students learn how architects and engineers work together in multi-disciplinary teams to complete a building design project. The course is assessed each year through course assessment plans, course assessment reports, student course critiques and program graduation surveys. Quantitative and qualitative assessment data are presented. It supports multiple ABET student outcomes and criteria. Students rate it among their favorite undergraduate courses. More importantly, it prepares them for their future roles in designing and managing real building projects.