Architectural Technology Program (T109)

Program Description

Program Overview

Good design and technical solutions are necessary to better the world as we move forward in an ever-changing natural and built environment.

Architectural technologists are key members of a project team and play a vital role in turning conceptual design ideas into technical construction documents and practical, buildable and environmentally conscious solutions. This three-year program provides you with the essential knowledge base and fundamental skills required to work as an architectural technologist within the many companies and sectors of the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. Performing tasks of a technical nature, you will be part of a team of professionals and tradespeople involved in the building design, construction and management process of the built environment.

Full Description

Learning in interactive studios with the most current equipment and software, you will develop a solid foundation of diverse and practical skills required to be involved in projects ranging from new construction to alterations and renovations in the residential, commercial, industrial and high-rise sectors of the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. The Architectural Technology program prepares you to apply current practices of the AEC industry, including:

  • building design
  • environmentally conscious and sustainable design
  • materials, methods and components
  • sustainability
  • building codes and regulations
  • building science
  • practice management
  • technical writing
  • specifications
  • cost planning
  • digital project delivery
  • digital technologies
  • computational design

In addition to a robust knowledge base and technical understanding of how buildings are designed and fabricated, you will also develop and apply the technical skills in the use of the digital tools, platforms and processes used by the industry and profession, such as Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD), Digital Project Delivery (DPD), Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D Visualization and Digital Modelling. In your project-specific Studio courses, where all knowledge and skills are applied to one large-scale project, you will practice one of the most important skills industry leaders are looking for; the ability to collaborate. In Studios, students work in teams within a simulated office environment to complete projects involving proposals, designs and construction documents for both new and existing facilities.

Note: If you enrol in the program in January, you are required to complete semester 2 in the summer (May to August) of the same year to continue into semester 3 in the fall.

Your Field Education Options

Upon completion of 4th semester, a Co-operative (co-op) Work Placement experience component in the Architectural Technology program is available for a selected number of students. The intake for this co-op program is limited, and all applicants must meet program criteria, will participate in a competitive process and final approval by the School of Architectural Studies academic department.

Those who enter the program will complete semester 5 from May to August, and co-op placement will take place from September to December. The sixth and final semester will be offered through a blend of in-class and online studies, allowing students to graduate in April of their final year of study. It will also allow students the opportunity to continue part-time work while completing their final semester of studies.

More details are available through the department and all interested students can attend a co-op information session in early December.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Opportunities for architectural technologists vary within the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. Career options available to graduates of this program may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • architectural technologist
  • architectural assistant
  • technologist within an engineering and/or construction form/company
  • self-employed designer and/or contractor
  • project director/coordinator
  • job captain
  • municipal plans examiner
  • building inspector
  • architectural document production
  • specification writer
  • property developer
  • property manager
  • architectural technologist with builders/developers
  • site supervisor
  • technical representative for building/equipment suppliers

Future Study Options

Eligible graduates of the School of Architectural Studies (SAS) Architectural Technology program have the opportunity to continue in an architectural-specific academic career and apply course credits completed at George Brown College (GBC) to earn a Master of Architecture Degree with either Boston Architectural College (BAC) in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. or The College of Architecture and Design (CoAD) at Lawrence Technological University (LTU) in Southfield, Michigan, USA. Or the Bachelor of Science – Architectural Major (Post Diploma) at Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada. These opportunities are the result of Articulation Agreements signed between GBC and BAC, LTU and Athabasca University.

Eligible candidates also have the opportunity to apply to a 1-semester Exchange program with the Copenhagen School of Design and Technology (KEA) in Denmark during their second and/or third year of study. The Copenhagen School of Design and Technology offers practice-oriented higher education for the business community in the form of both business academics and professional bachelor programs.

Qualified graduates may be eligible for advanced standing in the George Brown College Honours Bachelor of Technology (Construction Management) degree program. Bridge courses may be required for advanced standing. For more information, see the T314 program webpage.

"I am thankful that George Brown College provided portfolio classes. Having a portfolio is something that a lot of industries stress over and I think this class has helped me a lot in preparation for the interviews I had to go through before graduating. I got my first job right after graduation working as an Architectural Technologist on the Design Team at Q4 Architects Inc. I had considered going into university instead of college but what interested me more is being able to have the hands-on application that is given to you in college."

Kimberlyn Lei
Ontario College Advanced Diploma

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