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Course Detail

Course Name Advanced Building Construction
Course Code 25ARC314
Program 5-Year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.)
Semester 6
Credits 2
Campus Coimbatore

Syllabus

Module 1: Emerging Building Materials

High-performance concrete (HPC), self-compacting concrete, fiber-reinforced concrete; Engineered timber (CLT, glulam), composites, and advanced steel systems; Smart materials: phase-change materials, ETFE, electro-chromic glass, and aerogels.

Module 2: Advanced Structural & Envelope Systems

Curtain wall systems, double-skin façades, and kinetic façades; High-performance roofing: tensile membranes, ETFE cushions, and integrated solar roofs; Integration of façades with shading devices and building services.

Module 3: Prefabrication & Modular Construction

Off-site construction techniques: precast panels, volumetric modular units, and hybrid systems; Design and assembly of modular bathrooms, service pods, and façade panels; Logistics, transport, and installation strategies for prefabricated elements.

Module 4: 3D Printing & Digital Fabrication

Principles of additive manufacturing for buildings; Case studies of 3D-printed houses, bridges, and components; Introduction to CNC milling, laser cutting, and robotic fabrication.

Module 5: Case Studies & Integrated Applications

Case studies: Zaha Hadid Architects, BIG, Foster + Partners – advanced systems in practice; Site visits to projects using prefabrication or advanced façade technologies; Integration of advanced systems into students’ own ongoing design studio projects.

Objectives and Outcomes

Course Objectives

  • To introduce students to emerging building materials and innovative construction technologies in contemporary architecture.
  • To provide knowledge of industrialized construction methods such as prefabrication, modular construction and 3D printing.
  • To understand the integration of advanced structural and envelope systems with building services and sustainability goals.
  • To develop skills in detailing complex assemblies and translating them into working drawings and prototypes.
  • To critically evaluate construction innovations through case studies of landmark projects.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to:

CO1:

Identify and describe advanced materials and construction systems used in modern architecture.

CO2 :

Prepare detailed construction drawings for innovative assemblies (façades, structural joints, modular units).

CO3:

Integrate prefabricated and modular systems into building design while ensuring performance and sustainability.

CO4:

Analyse and critique complex building systems through case studies and site visits.

CO5:

Apply advanced construction techniques to their own design projects through models, drawings, and prototypes.

 

 

PO1

PO2

PO3

PO4

PO5

PO6

PO7

PO8

PO9

PO10

PO11

PSO1

PSO2

PSO3

CO1

3

3

2

3

3

–

–

2

1

–

–

3

2

–

CO2

3

3

3

3

3

–

–

3

2

–

–

3

3

2

CO3

3

3

3

3

3

3

–

3

2

2

–

3

3

3

CO4

3

2

2

3

3

3

–

3

2

2

–

3

3

3

CO5

3

2

2

3

3

3

–

3

3

2

–

3

3

3

Evaluation Pattern

Evaluation Pattern

 

Assessment

Internal/External

Weightage

Continuous Assessment

Internal

30%

Mid-Semester Jury

Internal

20%

End-Semester Jury

External

50%

Text Books / References

Reading Material

  1. Edward Allen & Joseph Iano, Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods. Wiley.
  2. Francis D.K. Ching, Building Construction Illustrated. Wiley.
  3. Arthur Lyons, Materials for Architects and Builders. Routledge.
  4. Kolarevic, Branko, Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing. Taylor & Francis.
  5. National Building Code of India (NBC): Provisions for new materials & systems.
  6. Recent journals & industry reports (CTBUH, ARUP, IJAC).

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