HNC Architectural Technology
Mandatory Units
Note:
 indicates unit in HNC
Construction
 Construction Communication Skills
1. Interpret scaled drawings.
2. Develop explanatory hand sketches to amplify scaled drawings and clarify construction
details.
3. Prepare written site instructions.
4. Prepare written progress reports and communicate project progress at formal meetings.
 Construction Technology 1: Substructure
1. Select appropriate methods of site investigation and soils analysis.
2. Select appropriate methods of excavation.
3. Select appropriate forms of foundations for given soil conditions.
4. Understand the available options for substructure construction.
 Construction Technology 2: Domestic Construction
1. Describe forms of traditional and timber frame wall construction and finishes
2. Describe forms of floor construction and the detail at the junction of floors and external
walls
3. Describe forms of pitched and flat roof construction and finishes
4. Produce simple sketches to illustrate the construction of building elements
5. Describe the position and fixing of components in buildings.
Construction Technology 3: Industrial/Commercial Superstructure
1. Analyse the range of materials and construction forms available for the erection of a
structural frame.
2. Sketch and describe methods and materials for forming walls to framed buildings.
3. Sketch and describe ground and upper floor construction for framed buildings.
4. Sketch and describe forms of roof construction.
5. Analyse methods of construction to achieve internal division of space and integration of
services in framed buildings.
 Building Services in Domestic Buildings
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Prepare a drainage system layout and specification notes for a low-rise building;
Select and produce annotated sketches of appropriate gas and water supply systems;
Produce annotated sketches for the supply and distribution of electricity;
Select and produce annotated sketches of appropriate space heating systems;
Produce layouts and specification notes for communications and security systems
 Construction Materials and Specifications
Outcomes not defined
 Construction Drawing
1. Illustrate basic architectural concepts and elements
2. Explain and illustrate the relationship or architectural form, function and mass
3. Interpret construction drawings using information from the client and design team
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Architectural Procedures and Design
1. Explain the role of the RIBA Plan of Work in a building design project
2. Explain the role and responsibilities of the design team in architectural design
3. Explain the procedures adopted to establish and control costs during design stages
4. Explain the architect’s role in administering a construction project.
5. Apply basic ergonomic and anthropometric data
Design of Building Structures
1. Select appropriate structural systems for residential and small commercial buildings of up
to three storeys
2. Describe the strength and stability requirements of building structures and structural
elements
3. Determine the dead and imposed loading on structures and structural elements
4. Design a small residential building for compliance with Part C of the Technical
Standards.
Option Units – 2 required
 Structural Mechanics
1. Calculate support reactions on simple beams and frames.
2. Calculate and sketch shear force and bending moments.
3. Solve frames using the method of sections and joint resolution and graphical methods.
4. Solve problems of direct stress and strain.
 CAD 1
1. Use a CAD system produce templates, layering, and hatching.
2. Produce 2D CAD drawings for sub structure works.
3. Produce 2D CAD drawings for super structure works.
CAD 2
1. Use a CAD system for the production of advanced 2D architectural/structural drawings.
2. Use a CAD system for the production of 3D drawings.
3. Use Architectural Desktop or equivalent to enhance CAD drawings.
 Building Cost Studies
1. Explain the production and adjudication of estimates for simple unframed structures;
2. Describe the factors affecting labour and plant outputs associated with the calculation of
unit rates;
3. Produce and substantiate a materials price list for items within a simple unframed
structure;
4. Apply principles of SMM7 to one element of a building.
Standard Forms of Construction Contract
1. Recommend suitable procurement routes and standard forms of contract.
2. Describe the rights and obligations of interested parties with reference to the latest JCT
Standard Form of Building Contract and its Scottish
equivalent
3. Describe the provisions, consequences, and where appropriate, remedies for noncompliance with specific clauses in the latest JCT Standard
Form of Building Contract and its Scottish equivalent
4. Describe the procedures available for dispute resolution under the latest JCT Standard
Form of Building Contract and its Scottish equivalent
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Law for Construction
1. Describe the system and institutions of the Law of Scotland
2. Explain the Principles of the Laws of Obligations
3. Explain the nature and legal characteristics of firms and business relationships in the
construction industry.
Building Services in Large Buildings
1. Describe the general layout and provision of hot and cold water in commercial and public
buildings;
2. Describe the provision of space heating and ventilation systems in commercial and public
buildings
3. Describe the methods by which electricity is supplied and distributed within commercial
and public buildings;
4. Select automatic fire detection and control and security systems in commercial and public
buildings;
5. Describe the operation of transportation systems in buildings.
Building Services Design: Heating, Lighting & Acoustics
1. Design a heating system;
2. Design a lighting system;
3. Evaluate the effects of sound in buildings.
Quality in Construction
1. Explain the concepts of QA, QC, TQM, Benchmarking and Key Performance Indicators.
2. Explain Lean Production
3. Use improvement techniques such as Pareto Analysis, Standard Deviation and
Cumulative summations.
4. Prepare a quality plan for a given project.
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