What is the Course about?

Architectural Technology is the study and profession of everything that is needed to make architecture work. How can we build sustainably? What makes a building accessible to all? How do I keep the rain out and the heat in? If a fire breaks out, can everyone escape safely? Are the bedrooms in the house the size they need to be? Is there enough storage in the apartment? Really creative design solutions are needed to solve these often complex issues and to help make sure that the solutions have a minimal carbon footprint and create attractive environments for everyone. 

 

Architectural Technologists work on their own and with architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, builders, contractors, construction suppliers and many different construction professionals and specialists. In what is a really people-focused profession, most work is done in teams and groups, with constant communication and sharing of information. It is also very project-based, with personnel and teams coming together to cooperate on the design and construction of a particular building. A typical working day might include developing the 3D software model of your current project, researching a new wall cladding and meeting with the supplier, visiting a project on site and discussing progress with the builder. 

 

Architectural Technologists can use a range of different software tools like Autodesk REVIT, but can also sketch by hand if they need to explain something quickly on site. They can present to clients and produce visualisations of projects before they are built. Research is a key skill, whether it is to find the right material or component or to check the compliance of a detail with the Building Regulations. Architectural Technologists can work on a house extension or a new airport, as well as everything in between.

 

Course Structure

This is a studio-based technical design course that integrates theory with practical application. The course incorporates an integrated research and design project based on a field study with previous trips to Bilbao, Barcelona and Milan.

 

Students will complete a 30-credit work placement during Semester 5 in Year 3. This provides students with an insight into the Architectural Technology world that they will be entering.

 

Whether you’re coming from school or returning to education as a mature student, one of the biggest questions is what will I spend my time doing at university? Studying architectural technology at SETU Carlow is not like other courses – it is a studio-based programme where learners work closely together and with their tutors to research, design and draw/model a wide variety projects. Instead of moving from classroom or theatre listening to lectures, learners stay in their own dedicated studios, with space to draw, model and use the software. Staff come in to work with you on your projects in your studio, as well as giving support lectures in the same spaces to help explain the many technical and design issues. Group work and peer learning are very important to the whole process.