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) 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.