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Matthew Morris
No matter which role you have in a building construction project, it is vital that you understand the "guts" of a building in order to make a positive impact. For contractors, engineers, architects, real estate developers and facilities managers, it takes years or even decades to learn the materials and systems in a building. The typical source of this education is on-the-job because this material is not taught in schools. Young professionals spend an extraordinary amount of time trying to understand the complexities of a modern building. Every project is different and the materials and systems can change drastically from one building to the next. Time can be better spent by adding value to projects instead of learning terminology and construction sequencing. The lessons in the course have been developed to boil down years of on-the-job training into high-impact, bite-sized classes.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/p3bxmb/how
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Identify the numerous components, materials and systems in a commercial building
- Describe the sequence of construction and relationships between construction activities
- Identify the roles of the major parties involved in the design and construction of building systems & materials
- Describe the numerous considerations when choosing different building materials and systems
- Develop a construction and engineering vocabulary
- Evaluate key constraints and select all of the appropriate major systems and materials in a building
- Identify the numerous components, materials and systems in a commercial building
- Describe the sequence of construction and relationships between construction activities
- Identify the roles of the major parties involved in the design and construction of building systems & materials
- Describe the numerous considerations when choosing different building materials and systems
- Develop a construction and engineering vocabulary
- Evaluate key constraints and select all of the appropriate major systems and materials in a building
Syllabus
Introduction How a Building is Designed and Built - Part 4
Lesson 1 Introduction How a Building is Designed and Built
Interiors and Site Work Preview
Read more
Syllabus
Introduction How a Building is Designed and Built - Part 4
Lesson 1 Introduction How a Building is Designed and Built
Interiors and Site Work Preview
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Teaches learners how to identify numerous components, materials, and systems in a commercial building
Develops learners' ability to identify the roles of the major parties involved in the design and construction of building systems & materials
Builds learners' ability to evaluate key constraints and select all of the appropriate major systems and materials in a building
Examines the sequence of construction and relationships between construction activities
Teaches learners to identify the numerous considerations when choosing different building materials and systems
Takes a comprehensive approach to describing numerous aspects of the construction process
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Reviews summary
Building systems & interior construction essentials
According to students, this course offers high-impact, bite-sized classes that effectively condense years of on-the-job training into practical knowledge. Learners find it particularly valuable for gaining a deep understanding of a building's interior systems, including wall and partition types, finishes, and specialized installations. It also covers crucial aspects of site work, paving, and landscaping. While largely seen as a valuable resource for professionals seeking to develop their construction and engineering vocabulary, some note that as Part 4 of a series, it might be best taken with prior foundational knowledge.
Highly relevant for architects, engineers, and construction managers.
"As an aspiring project manager, this course fills significant knowledge gaps that are not taught in traditional schools."
"It's clearly designed for practitioners who need practical, actionable information for their roles."
"This course provides the vocabulary and understanding essential for navigating complexities in my career development."
Provides thorough understanding of interior and site work systems.
"I now have a much clearer picture of wall types, finishes, and construction sequencing for site work."
"The detailed look at interior partitions, finishes, and specialties is incredibly helpful for my daily tasks."
"I learned about crucial considerations for various finishes like paint and flooring installations, and typical hardscape options."
Distills complex, real-world construction knowledge effectively.
"I appreciate how this course distills complex, real-world construction knowledge into an accessible format."
"It's like getting years of on-site experience condensed into focused, high-impact lessons."
"This truly helps me understand the 'guts' of a building without decades of trial and error."
Concise lessons, potentially requiring supplemental research.
"While concise and high-impact, I sometimes wanted more in-depth exploration of certain topics presented."
"The 'bite-sized' approach is efficient for busy schedules, but I find myself doing additional research on complex details."
"It's great for an overview and building vocabulary, but not exhaustive for every single material or system."
Ideally taken after completing preceding modules for full context.
"As Part 4, I sometimes felt a need to revisit earlier concepts from the series for a complete understanding."
"I recommend completing the preceding parts of this series for the best foundational understanding before diving into this module."
"Some sections might be challenging if you don't have prior industry exposure or haven't completed the earlier courses."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in How a Building is Designed and Built - Part 4 of 6 with these
activities:
Read a book about building construction
Show steps
Reading a book about building construction will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of the different aspects of building construction, from planning and design to construction and maintenance.
View
Building Codes Illustrated for Healthcare...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Find a book about building construction that interests you
-
Read the book
-
Take notes and highlight important passages
Review basic building construction terminology
Show steps
Understanding basic building construction terminology will help you understand the course content more easily, communicate more effectively, and understand the relationships between different components of a building.
Browse courses on
Building Materials
Show steps
-
Create a glossary of terms
-
Read a book or article about building construction
-
Watch a video or take a course on building construction
Review the basics of construction sequencing
Show steps
Understanding the basics of construction sequencing will help you understand the order in which different tasks are completed on a construction project, which is important for planning and scheduling.
Browse courses on
Construction Sequencing
Show steps
-
Read a book or article about construction sequencing
-
Watch a video or take a course on construction sequencing
-
Create a timeline of the construction process for a specific project
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Follow tutorials to learn about specific building materials and systems
Show steps
Following tutorials to learn about specific building materials and systems will help you gain a deeper understanding of how they are used in construction.
Show steps
-
Find tutorials on specific building materials and systems
-
Follow the tutorials
-
Experiment with the materials and systems yourself
Develop a vocabulary list of building materials and systems
Show steps
Creating a vocabulary list of building materials and systems will help you learn and remember the different materials and systems used in construction.
Show steps
-
Create a table with columns for material name, type, and description
-
Research different building materials and systems
-
Add materials and systems to your table as you learn about them
Join a peer study group to discuss building construction topics
Show steps
Joining a peer study group will help you learn from others, share your knowledge, and stay motivated.
Show steps
-
Find a peer study group
-
Attend group meetings
-
Participate in discussions
Complete practice problems on building construction
Show steps
Completing practice problems on building construction will help you apply your knowledge and skills, and identify areas where you need additional support.
Show steps
-
Find practice problems online or in textbooks
-
Solve the practice problems
-
Check your answers against the provided solutions
Contribute to an open-source project related to building construction
Show steps
Contributing to an open-source project related to building construction will help you apply your skills and knowledge to a real-world project.
Show steps
-
Find an open-source project related to building construction
-
Contribute to the project
-
Test your contributions
Read a book about building construction
Show steps
Reading a book about building construction will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of the different aspects of building construction, from planning and design to construction and maintenance.
View
Building Codes Illustrated for Healthcare...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a book about building construction that interests you
- Read the book
- Take notes and highlight important passages
Review basic building construction terminology
Show steps
Understanding basic building construction terminology will help you understand the course content more easily, communicate more effectively, and understand the relationships between different components of a building.
Browse courses on
Building Materials
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Create a glossary of terms
- Read a book or article about building construction
- Watch a video or take a course on building construction
Review the basics of construction sequencing
Show steps
Understanding the basics of construction sequencing will help you understand the order in which different tasks are completed on a construction project, which is important for planning and scheduling.
Browse courses on
Construction Sequencing
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read a book or article about construction sequencing
- Watch a video or take a course on construction sequencing
- Create a timeline of the construction process for a specific project
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Follow tutorials to learn about specific building materials and systems
Show steps
Following tutorials to learn about specific building materials and systems will help you gain a deeper understanding of how they are used in construction.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find tutorials on specific building materials and systems
- Follow the tutorials
- Experiment with the materials and systems yourself
Develop a vocabulary list of building materials and systems
Show steps
Creating a vocabulary list of building materials and systems will help you learn and remember the different materials and systems used in construction.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Create a table with columns for material name, type, and description
- Research different building materials and systems
- Add materials and systems to your table as you learn about them
Join a peer study group to discuss building construction topics
Show steps
Joining a peer study group will help you learn from others, share your knowledge, and stay motivated.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a peer study group
- Attend group meetings
- Participate in discussions
Complete practice problems on building construction
Show steps
Completing practice problems on building construction will help you apply your knowledge and skills, and identify areas where you need additional support.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find practice problems online or in textbooks
- Solve the practice problems
- Check your answers against the provided solutions
Contribute to an open-source project related to building construction
Show steps
Contributing to an open-source project related to building construction will help you apply your skills and knowledge to a real-world project.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find an open-source project related to building construction
- Contribute to the project
- Test your contributions
Career center
Learners who complete How a Building is Designed and Built - Part 4 of 6 will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Architect
Architect
An Architect plans and designs buildings, taking into account factors such as safety, functionality, aesthetics, and environmental impact. This course aligns with this role by providing a deep understanding of the numerous components, materials, and systems used in a commercial building, enabling Architects to make informed decisions during the design process.
Construction Manager
Construction Manager
A Construction Manager oversees the construction of a building project. This course helps build a foundation for this role by covering the sequence of construction and relationships between construction activities. It also provides valuable insights into the roles of the major parties involved in the design and construction process.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineer
A Civil Engineer designs and constructs infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. The course's focus on paving, hardscape, and landscaping aligns with the responsibilities of Civil Engineers who design and manage the infrastructure around buildings.
Structural Engineer
Structural Engineer
A Structural Engineer designs and analyzes the structural elements of buildings. This course is highly relevant as it provides in-depth knowledge about the various wall and partition types, their construction sequence, and the in-wall rough-in process.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
A Mechanical Engineer designs and maintains the mechanical systems in buildings, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). The course's emphasis on various specialties and their installation sequence is relevant to this role, as Mechanical Engineers often collaborate with specialists to ensure proper installation and functionality of building systems.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
An Electrical Engineer designs and maintains the electrical systems in buildings, including lighting, power distribution, and communication systems. This course provides insights into the electrical aspects of building design and construction, which is essential knowledge for Electrical Engineers.
Interior designer
Interior designer
An Interior Designer plans and executes the interior spaces of buildings, ensuring functionality, aesthetics, and occupant comfort. This course offers valuable knowledge about various finishes, their installation sequence, and key considerations for proper installation, which are crucial aspects of interior design.
Project Manager
Project Manager
A Project Manager plans, organizes, and executes construction projects. The course's focus on the sequence of construction and relationships between construction activities can benefit Project Managers in coordinating and managing various aspects of a building project.
Estimator
Estimator
An Estimator calculates the cost of construction materials and labor for a building project. This course may be useful in understanding the various materials and systems used in building construction, which can aid in accurate cost estimation.
Building Inspector
Building Inspector
A Building Inspector ensures that buildings meet building codes and safety regulations. The course's coverage of various building components, materials, and systems can provide a foundational understanding of building construction, which is essential for effective building inspection.
Facilities Manager
Facilities Manager
A Facilities Manager maintains and operates buildings and their systems. The course's focus on various building materials, systems, and their installation sequence provides valuable insights into the upkeep and management of building facilities.
Real Estate Developer
Real Estate Developer
A Real Estate Developer acquires land, plans, and constructs real estate projects. While the course does not directly cover real estate development, it can provide a foundational understanding of building design and construction, which is beneficial for Real Estate Developers.
Urban Planner
Urban Planner
An Urban Planner designs and plans the use of land and buildings in urban areas. While the course focuses on individual buildings and their construction, it can offer insights into the broader context of urban planning and how buildings contribute to the built environment.
Construction Worker
Construction Worker
A Construction Worker performs various tasks on construction sites. The course's detailed coverage of the construction sequence and relationships between construction activities can provide foundational knowledge for individuals interested in this field.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultant
A Sustainability Consultant advises on sustainable practices in building design and construction. The course's focus on various building materials, systems, and their impact on the environment can provide valuable insights for Sustainability Consultants seeking to promote environmentally conscious building practices.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/p3bxmb/how
Reading list
We've selected 15 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
How a Building is Designed and Built - Part 4 of 6.
A comprehensive reference guide for architectural design and construction. Provides detailed information on materials, methods, and standards.
A visual guide to the principles and practice of building construction. Provides a comprehensive overview of the construction process, from planning and design to construction and finishing. Useful as a reference tool.
Provides detailed information on the materials and systems used in building construction. Useful for understanding the properties and applications of different materials.
Provides guidance on the preparation of construction documents. Useful for architects and other professionals involved in the design and construction of buildings.
Provides current and reliable cost data for building construction. Useful for estimating the cost of construction projects.
Provides guidance on the use of natural light in the design of buildings. Useful for architects and other professionals involved in the design of buildings that are both energy-efficient and visually appealing.
Provides guidance on the incorporation of environmental strategies into the design of buildings. Useful for architects and other professionals involved in the design of sustainable buildings.
Provides an overview of the principles and practices of sustainable architecture. Useful for understanding the environmental impact of buildings and how to design and build more sustainable buildings.
Provides an overview of the building systems that are relevant to interior designers. Useful for understanding the technical aspects of building construction.
Provides an in-depth explanation of the 2018 International Building Code. Useful for understanding the legal requirements for building construction.
Provides a comprehensive overview of project management for construction projects. Useful for understanding the principles and practices of project management.
Provides an overview of the building codes and standards that are relevant to interior designers. Useful for understanding the legal requirements for interior design projects.
A monthly magazine that provides information on the latest construction products and technologies. Useful for staying up-to-date on the latest trends in building construction.
Save
Provides an overview of the legal aspects of construction contracts. Useful for understanding the rights and obligations of contractors and owners.
Provides guidance on the business aspects of architectural practice. Useful for architects and other professionals involved in the design and construction of buildings.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/p3bxmb/how
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