Architectural Design (ETD1530)

Course Description

ETD 1530 – Architectural Design is a 4-credit-hour course within the Engineering Technologies > Engineering Design Drafting taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course covers specialization in architectural drafting with expanded coverage in residential design, introducing students to the full range of architectural drawing types, graphic standards, and design principles used in professional practice. Students develop technical proficiency in both manual drafting conventions and computer-aided design (CAD) tools as applied to architectural projects. The course prepares students for entry-level employment or advanced training in the architectural drafting and design industry.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Interpret and apply architectural graphic standards, including line types, symbols, notation conventions, and drawing scales used in construction documents.
• Produce a complete set of residential construction drawings including site plan, floor plan, exterior elevations, building sections, and wall sections.
• Apply design principles — including spatial organization, traffic flow, room adjacency, and code-compliant dimensions — to develop a residential floor plan from a design program.
• Demonstrate proficiency in 2D CAD software to draft, edit, annotate, and plot architectural drawings.
• Prepare door, window, and finish schedules and integrate them with the drawing set.
• Describe basic residential construction materials and methods, including wood-frame, masonry, and foundation systems, as they relate to architectural documentation.
• Apply architectural lettering, dimensioning, and title-block standards consistent with professional practice.
• Demonstrate understanding of professional ethics and legal responsibilities in the design and construction industry.

Optional Outcomes

The following outcomes may be included at the discretion of the instructor or institution:

• Produce 3D models or rendered perspectives using CAD or BIM-capable software to communicate design intent.
• Draft basic mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) schematic drawings as part of a residential drawing set.
• Apply sustainability concepts — such as passive solar orientation, energy-efficient envelope design, and green building principles — to architectural design decisions.
• Investigate career pathways in architectural drafting and related fields, including requisite skills and industry demand.
• Demonstrate basic understanding of light commercial building design by adapting residential drawing skills to a small commercial project.
• Research the history of the built environment as context for contemporary design decisions.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are covered in all standard offerings of ETD 1530 at Florida colleges:

• Introduction to Architectural Drafting — equipment, media, line conventions, lettering, scales, and title-block standards
• Architectural Drawing Types and Their Purpose — understanding the full drawing set: site plans, floor plans, elevations, sections, and details
• Residential Floor Plan Design and Drawing — spatial programming, room adjacency, traffic circulation, dimensioning, and code-compliant layouts
• Site Plans — property boundaries, setbacks, topography, utilities, and north arrow conventions
• Exterior Elevations — front, rear, and side elevations; material indication; grade lines; window and door representation
• Building and Wall Sections — vertical cuts through structures; foundation, floor, wall, and roof assemblies
• Schedules — door, window, and finish schedules; integration with plan drawings
• Residential Construction Materials and Methods — wood-frame, slab-on-grade, masonry veneer, and roof framing systems
• 2D CAD Drafting for Architecture — drafting, editing, dimensioning, annotating, layering, and plotting architectural drawings using current CAD software
• Drawing Standards and Graphic Communication — AIA and industry graphic conventions; professional presentation techniques

Optional Topics

The following topics may be included based on program emphasis, available software, and instructor expertise:

• 3D Modeling and Rendering — introductory use of 3D CAD or BIM tools (e.g., Revit, SketchUp) for design visualization
• BIM (Building Information Modeling) Concepts — overview of BIM workflows and how they differ from 2D CAD production
• Schematic MEP Drawings — basic electrical plan layout, plumbing diagrams, and HVAC symbols
• Light Commercial Design — adapting residential drawing skills to small commercial or mixed-use projects
• Sustainable Design Principles — site orientation, daylighting, energy efficiency, and green building rating systems (LEED overview)
• Architectural History Overview — key movements and precedents informing contemporary residential and commercial design
• Presentation Drawings — colored renderings, freehand sketching, and perspective drawing for design communication
• Permit Set Overview — understanding local Florida building permit submittal requirements and plan review processes

Resources & Tools

• CAD Software: AutoCAD (Autodesk) or equivalent 2D CAD platform; introductory Revit or SketchUp where available
• Drafting Equipment: Architectural scale, drafting pencils/pens, parallel bar or drafting board for manual exercises
• Reference Standards: Architectural Graphic Standards (Ramsey/Sleeper); local Florida Building Code (FBC) residential provisions
• Textbooks: Commonly adopted texts include Architectural Drafting and Design (Madsen/Palma) and Residential Design Using AutoCAD (Stine)
• Online Resources: Autodesk Education Community (autodesk.com/education); Florida Building Code Online (floridabuilding.org); AIA Contract Documents reference materials
• Plotting/Output: Large-format plotter or print services for full-scale drawing set production

Career Pathways

ETD 1530 is a foundational course for the A.S. in Architectural Design and Construction Technology and related drafting certificate programs offered at Florida colleges including FSCJ, FSW, Valencia College, and St. Petersburg College. Graduates with training in this area are prepared for entry-level positions such as:

• Architectural Drafter / CAD Technician
• Architectural Design Assistant
• Construction Planner or Construction Engineering Assistant
• Contractor's Assistant or Estimating Aide
• Building Permit Technician

Students may continue into advanced ETD coursework (e.g., ETD 2395 – CAD Architectural), BIM/Revit courses, or transfer into baccalaureate programs in Architecture, Construction Management, or Interior Design. Florida's 2+2+2 articulation pathways (e.g., Valencia College → UCF Bachelor of Design in Architecture) provide structured routes to licensure-track degrees.

Special Information

Florida Building Code Alignment: Drawing projects and code research exercises are referenced to the Florida Building Code – Residential (FBC), familiarizing students with state-specific requirements for setbacks, room dimensions, egress, and accessibility that govern construction documents submitted for permit in Florida.

Articulation: This course articulates into the A.S. in Architectural Design and Construction Technology at multiple Florida College System institutions. Students who earn the career certificate in architectural drafting may receive credit toward the A.S. degree. Consult your academic advisor for program-specific articulation agreements.

Professional Certification Preparation: Coursework in this class contributes foundational competencies toward the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) – AutoCAD credential. Students interested in long-term licensure as architects should be aware that the path to becoming a licensed architect in Florida requires an NAAB-accredited professional degree, documented work experience through the AXP (Architect Experience Program), and passage of the ARE (Architect Registration Examination), administered by NCARB.