Waltham Public Schools

Unit 1 -

September - October 

(~6 weeks)

1.1 - 1 How has the work of civil engineers and architects shaped society? How is the work of civil engineers and architects shaped by society? 

1.1 - 2 What is the difference between the art of architecture and civil engineering and the science of architecture and civil engineering? 

1.1 - 3 How will civil engineers contribute to the solutions of the Grand Challenges for Engineering?  Choose one challenge and describe how civil engineers will most likely contribute to a solution. 

1.2 - 1 What abilities and/or interests do you possess that could translate to a career field related to civil engineering or architecture? 

1.2 - 2 What strategy would you use to form a design team to obtain the best design possible? 

1.2 - 3 Is it ever advantageous to create a design or solve a problem individually as opposed to using a team approach? Explain.

- 1.1.2 

Design Principles and Elements

- 1.1.3 Architectural Styles

- 1.1.4 Architectural Features Model

- 1.2.1 

This is your career

- 1.2.2 

Design Charrette

Unit 2 - 

October - January

(~20 weeks)

2.1 - 1 How would you decide the style of roof to use when designing a house? List at least three considerations. 

2.1 - 2 Is it important for an architect to know the details of how residential buildings are constructed in order to design a house? Explain. 

2.1 - 3 How has the use of 3D modeling software affected the design and construction industry? 

2.2 - 1 If a cost estimate indicates that a residential design is significantly over budget, what changes would you consider to reduce the cost of the project? List at least three changes. Would these changes result in higher or lower long-term or maintenance cost of the project? List at least three changes. Would these changes result in higher or lower long-term or maintenance costs? 

2.2 - 2 It has been said that, “Having a vision without action is a daydream; Taking action without a vision is a nightmare!” How does this apply to architectural design?

2.3 - 1 It has been said that “Having a vision without action is a daydream; Taking action without a vision is a nightmare!” How does this apply to architectural/engineering design? 

2.3 - 2 How would you describe the computational thinking and mathematical skills necessary to properly design a home and perform a cost estimate? Are different computational/mathematical skills necessary to design and analyze the water supply and plumbing system 

2.3 - 3 Is it an ethical responsibility of architects/engineers to create sustainable designs regardless of project cost? Justify your position. 

2.3 - 4 What green or sustainable technique could you incorporate at home (or could have been incorporated during the design and construction phases) to reduce the negative environmental impact of your home and its operation in each of the major sustainability focus areas: water, energy, building materials, and solid waste? Give one example in each area of focus and explain. 

2.3 - 5 Do building codes make the practice of architecture and engineering easier or more difficult? Explain.

- 2.1.1 Wood Frame Systems

- 2.1.3 Shed Design

- 2.2 Cost and Efficiency

- 2.3 Affordable House Design

Unit 3 -

February - April

(~12 weeks)

3.1 - 1 What is the difference between land use regulations and building code requirements?

3.1 - 2 How do land development regulations help or hinder development in a community?

3.1 - 3 Use an analogy to compare residential construction and commercial construction, and fill

in the blanks: ___________ versus ______________. Support your answer with specific

examples of construction practices.

3.1 - 4 Are building code requirements too strict to allow creativity and unconventional design

Solutions?

3.2 - 1 How would you describe the mathematical skills and knowledge necessary to analyze

and design a structure to a student who is thinking about taking CEA?

3.2 - 2 What cross-sectional shape provides the strongest beam? Justify your answer.

3.2 - 3 Why do buildings fall down? How can we prevent future structural failures?

3.2 - 4 What does the expression, “Form follows Function” mean? How does it relate to

structural engineering?

3.3 - 1 How does the design of the utility systems for a building affect the overall design of the

Building?

3.3 - 2 How does the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) support the goal of green

building and sustainable architecture?

3.4 - 1 How does residential building project design differ from commercial building project

design? Describe at least three differences and three similarities.

3.4 - 2 How could differential surveying be used by a typical homeowner to provide better results

for home improvement projects? Explain using at least two home improvement project

Examples.

3.4 - 3 What does the aboriginal proverb “touch the earth lightly” mean with respect to building

project design and development? What current design and construction practice best

represents this philosophy? Explain your answer.

- 3.1 Commercial Building Systems

- 3.2 Structures

- 3.3 Services and Utilities

- 3.4 Site Considerations

Unit 4 - 

May - June

(~8 Weeks)

4.1 - 1 If you had to describe one strategy that would most help an architect/engineer to be a

good and effective building project designer, what would it be?

4.1 - 2 Stephen Covey includes “Begin with the End in Mind” as one of the seven habits listed in

his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. How can this habit make an

engineer/architect more effective?

4.2 - 1 How important is it to an architect’s or civil engineer’s success that s/he possess “people

skills”? Justify your answer.

- 4.1 Commercial Building Design Problem

- 4.2 Commercial Building Design Presentation