ARCH 5226 and the role of the architectural engineer

Abstract

The primary purpose of this paper is to serve as description of my senior design project culminating my degree in architectural engineering at Oklahoma State University. This studio utilizes the skills gained in this degree program and prepare exiting students for the challenges and complexities of accomplishing a real built project. Individual students have control over their own designs, starting at schematic design and reaching into construction documentation. In schematic design, it is important to view all aspects of a building, beginning with a concept selection that drives the architecture, and gives the structural and mechanical systems a direction for coordination. At the conclusion of this stage, work is compiled into a presentation before a panel of professors and working professionals, who critique and give guidance for the next stage.

With this advice, each student makes adjustments and begins design development. For the engineers, this means focusing on structural design, and continuing with the mechanical systems. Additionally, we will develop the architecture and constructability by creating a wall section, looking at the assembly and its thermal properties. This is longest portion of the semester, and detailing to this level is not something we have as much experience with in school. Developing our proposals to this level is the most complicated part of taking a concept to the point that it can be constructed. Following this stage, students will take their designs into the beginning of construction documentation, and then finish the semester with a final presentation jury.

As this project is the conclusion of the degree program, it also serves to be the launching point for the next step beyond undergraduate education. As such, this project represents an important step at the beginning of one's career. The work presented at the end of the semester is the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the architectural engineer. This course is meant to be the last step in the training given by the professors before students begin their careers.