The focus of this piece is on Centennial College’s Architectural Technology, which results in an Advanced Diploma and sees students taught by a faculty of professionals who have current experience in the industry.
Architectural technology students taught by experienced professionals
1. Architectural Technology Students Taught By Experienced Professionals
When you are applying for a post-secondary program, you want to ensure that the
instructor and professors who teach the curriculum have a vested interest in their
students’ success. At Centennial College, you can rest assured that all faculty members
want to see students thrive, as they are all well networked professionals who have years
of experience. As such, students benefit in a few ways. For example, instructors can
offer up advice based on their own experiences or use personal anecdotes to enhance
the lessons they are teaching students.
Take Centennial College’s architecture program — Architectural Technology program,
for example. This offering employs instructors who posses advanced degrees, licenses,
and credentials in architecture, architectural technology, building science, engineering,
and green building, and include many current industry practitioners. Their current
knowledge of the industry also benefits students who must be up on the latest
developments and advancements in their field.
Aside from having an interest in working with architects, architectural technology
firms, engineers, builders, contractors, developers, construction material manufacturers
and suppliers, and municipal building departments, there are a few admission
requirements that applicants must meet. Firstly, applicants must have completed an
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or have mature student
status (19 years or older). Secondly, they must have completed English Grade 12 C or
U, or equivalent (minimum grade required) or take the Centennial College English
Skills Assessment for Admission; and Mathematics Grade 11 M or U, or 12 C or U, or
equivalent (minimum grade required) or take a Centennial College Engineering Math
Skills Assessment for Admission.
Through their studies, students learn about energy-efficient design, sustainable design
and construction strategies, and protecting the environment. Each semester has a focus
on a different building type and features projects that students complete to ensure a
strong foundation in technical knowledge. Among the hands-on activities that students
complete are: preparing drawings for residential, institutional, commercial, industrial,
and multi-use buildings; using state-of-the-art computer technology to prepare designs,
construction drawings, specifications; drafting reports needed to communicate with
clients, builders, and approval authorities; identifying building materials; understanding
construction methods, structural design, mechanical and electrical services through lab
work; building codes, contracts and specifications in software; and how to navigate the
business environment to provide design and construction services.
Among specific subjects in the offering are: Materials and Methods, Construction
Health and Safety, Builders and Contractors, History of Western Architecture,
Architectural Graphics, Building Services, Technical Writing and more.
In addition to the Ontario College Advanced Diploma that students graduate with, they
may also pursue an Ontario Association for Applied Architectural Sciences (OAAAS)
2. membership, which can lead to Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) membership
as a Licensed Technologist OAA as well as a Building Code Identification Number
(BCIN), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credential, and
Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario (AATO) membership.