HNC Architectural Technology for England

The success of any project relies on the development of a good design and the technical information to allow the project to be built. The aim of this unit is to help you to appreciate and be aware of the design process and the information required to communicate the design itself, specify and quantify materials, provide instructions for the assembly and erection, and facilitate precise costing and project management. Topics included in this unit are: project phases; construction drawing; detailing; Computer Aided Design (CAD); Building Information Modelling (BIM); schedules; specifications; bills of quantities; information collaboration. On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to analyse scenarios, make decisions, and produce drawings and specifications to achieve appropriate, creative, and innovative home design proposals.

The basic principles of construction technology have not changed for hundreds of years. However, the materials and techniques used to achieve these basic principles are constantly evolving to enable the construction industry to deliver better quality buildings. Scarcity of resources and the continuing demand of more sophisticated clients, end users and other stakeholder interests, are driving the construction industry to provide buildings that facilitate enhanced environmental and energy performance, and greater flexibility. This is in response to ever-increasing financial, environmental, legal and economic constraints. This unit introduces the different technological concepts used to enable the construction of building elements, from substructure to completion, by understanding the different functional characteristics and design considerations that need to be borne in mind when selecting the most suitable technological solution.

Construction is a complex and dynamic sector of the local, regional, national and international economy. In many countries it is a driving force in the growth of finance, property and employment. This also means that it has considerable impact on many factors beyond its direct influence on the buildings and infrastructure that are created and maintained. The construction industry is one of the major contributors to CO2 emissions; the way that buildings are designed, constructed and maintained means they have an ongoing impact on the environment. Similarly, as a major employer, the industry has an ongoing impact on the working conditions of those in the sector and the way that people are educated, trained and supported through their careers. In this unit, we will explore the make-up and the impact of the construction industry on the environment and society. By exploring the roles and relationships of individuals and organisations in the construction sector, you will gain an overview of the organisational and the personal ways in which the sector works to continue to improve the built environment and limit its impact on the environment, while maintaining economic sustainability and growth.

The construction industry is perceived to be a dangerous, noisy and disruptive area of work that impacts on the use of land and buildings. It is, however, governed by a range of areas of law to ensure that professionals comply with legal and statutory requirements to design, construct and deliver buildings and alterations using safe working practices and utilising land appropriately. This unit introduces the different areas of law that are relevant to the construction industry throughout the development process. This includes applying for planning approval to undertake construction activities and using building control regulations to evaluate building design and alterations at the preconstruction stage. We will explore the laws of occupiers’ liability, trespass and nuisance to manage construction activities on-site, and the legal aspects of the sale and leasing process involved in the disposal of buildings, using the law of contract and land law. On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to apply legal and statutory requirements and processes common to the construction sector.

Achieving successful projects in the built environment requires a range of different types of information to describe the project, quantify the materials, provide clear instructions for assembly and erection, and allow for accurate costing and management. Throughout the process of design, construction and post-occupancy management, information is critical. Central to construction information is the production of construction drawings; these provide the geometric definition of a project through the use of graphic conventions. Most other forms of construction information will rely, to a greater or lesser degree, on reference to construction drawings. Therefore, the production of accurate and clearly defined construction drawings is a critical part of the overall construction information package. Digital applications play a key role in the production of construction drawings; they provide a way to manage drawing information and make changes with greater efficiency and can be shared readily through a variety of digital communication systems. In this unit we will develop the skills to needed produce accurate and consistent construction information using industry-standard software. On completion of the unit, you will be able to produce a construction information package. Successful achievement of the unit may also lead to vendor certification.

The contemporary construction company operates in a very competitive sector of the economy; the size of company ranges from small to large. The types of company include sole traders, partnerships, limited companies and public limited companies; they could be working in local, regional and multinational contexts. Construction companies have evolved their business practices to ensure economic survival and growth. However, they continue to be impacted by the construction market and external factors such as interest rates, government legislation and political and economic conditions. This unit introduces you to the concepts of business management and financial control. They will examine a range of factors that influence the ways in which companies grow, raise finance, and control their costs and resources. Topics included in this unit are: the legal status of building companies and how it impacts on raising finance; the different sources of finance and how a company manages them; contemporary management strategies; how the day-to-day management of the different resources used by a construction company have an impact on their success. On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to analyse the legal status of different types of construction companies, their business strategies and how they raise and manage their finances, and the management of the resources available to them.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is often assumed to be a software solution – a more advanced form of CAD, for producing construction information. However, while software can play an important part, BIM is actually an approach to information generation and management in a collaborative environment. The aim of BIM is to ensure that better information is created, shared and kept secure so that the design, construction, occupation and maintenance of our built assets can be more efficiently managed. In short, BIM is a collaborative approach that involves a clearly defined set of processes. The aim of this unit is to give you the background knowledge and understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the context of the construction industry. You will be introduced to the drivers and benefits associated with BIM, as well as the terminology that surrounds it. The knowledge and skills gained in this unit will allow you to understand the importance of BIM in the context of current roles and responsibilities in the construction industry. You will also gain an understanding of how this may influence future choices in your professional career.