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2.3. Building Technology and Construction (BTC)

Building Technology and Construction covers the technical knowledge required to design and specify buildings that can be physically realized - from the assembly logic of conventional construction to emerging digital fabrication, robotic construction, and bio-based material innovations. This knowledge area bridges architectural design intent and physical execution, covering building systems, envelope technology, and conventional and advanced materials. Students learn to make informed decisions about construction methods, material specifications, and fabrication workflows that affect cost, performance, sustainability, and buildability. Construction-stage BIM coordination, scheduling, and cost estimation are covered in depth in the dedicated BIM knowledge area (see Multidisciplinary Model Coordination , 4D BIM and Construction Scheduling , 5D BIM and Cost Estimation ).

Knowledge Area (KA)	Core Tier1	Core Tier2
2.3.1 Building Systems and Assemblies	1	1
2.3.2 Facade and Building Envelope Technology	1	1
2.3.3 Conventional Construction Materials	1	1
2.3.4 Biobased and Mycelium Materials	1	1
2.3.5 Circular and Recycled Materials	1	1
2.3.6 Smart and Responsive Materials	1	1
2.3.7 Digital Fabrication and CNC Manufacturing	1	1
2.3.8 Robotic and Automated Construction	Elective

2.3.1. BTC/Building Systems and Assemblies  (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top

Covers the integration of structural, envelope, mechanical, electrical, and interior systems into a coherent building assembly, including coordination, tolerances, and constructability.
Topics:
Core

• Integration of building systems: coordinating structural frame, mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP), envelope, and interior fit-out within constrained floor-to-floor heights
• Construction documentation for assemblies: details at 1:5, 1:10, and 1:20; section-through-wall details, sill and head conditions, and coordination between architectural
• Construction tolerances and coordination: dimensional tolerances in concrete, steel, and masonry; clearances for MEP rough-in
• Waterproofing and moisture management: below-grade waterproofing systems, drainage planes, vapor barriers, and flashing at penetrations
• Fire-rated assemblies: UL-listed wall, floor, and ceiling assemblies; fire-stopping at penetrations, intumescent seals, and the architectural detailing required by fire codes

Non Core

• Prefabricated and modular assemblies: volumetric modular construction, panelized wall systems, and the design implications of off-site manufacturing tolerances

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Identify the principal building systems and describe how they are integrated and coordinated within a multi-story building assembly [Familiarity]
2. Develop construction-level details for a building assembly that correctly coordinate structural, envelope, and MEP systems within realistic tolerances and code requirements [Usage]
3. Evaluate a set of construction documents for assembly coordination quality, identifying conflicts, missing details, and buildability risks [Assessment]

2.3.2. BTC/Facade and Building Envelope Technology  (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top

Covers the design and specification of high-performance building envelopes: opaque walls, glazing systems, curtain walls, and dynamic and responsive facade technologies.
Topics:
Core

• Envelope performance criteria: thermal transmittance (U-value), solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), air infiltration, acoustic transmission loss,
• Glazing systems: double and triple glazing, low-e coatings, electrochromic and thermochromic glass, structural silicone glazing, and point-fixed glazing
• Curtain wall and rainscreen systems: pressure-equalized rainscreen principle, back-ventilated facades, unitized curtain wall panels, and the detailing of movement joints
• Insulation and airtightness: continuous insulation strategies for thermal bridge elimination, air barrier systems, blower-door testing, and Passivhaus envelope standards
• Opaque wall systems: masonry veneer, EIFS, precast concrete panels, metal panels, and fiber cement; fire rating, moisture management, and structural attachment for each system

Non Core

• Responsive and dynamic facade systems: kinetic facades (louvered, origami, pneumatic), electrochromic and BIPV panels, and media facades

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Describe the main types of building envelope systems and their performance characteristics, including thermal, moisture, acoustic, and solar control properties [Familiarity]
2. Select and detail an appropriate building envelope system for a specific climate and building program, justifying the choice in terms of performance, cost, and constructability [Usage]
3. Evaluate a facade design for thermal, moisture, and solar performance, identifying deficiencies in detailing and proposing improvements to meet defined performance targets [Assessment]

2.3.3. BTC/Conventional Construction Materials  (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top

Covers the properties, structural behavior, and architectural applications of the primary conventional construction materials: concrete, steel, timber, and masonry.
Topics:
Core

• Concrete properties and types: compressive strength, workability, durability; reinforced concrete (RC), post-tensioned (PT), precast, and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)
• Structural steel properties: yield strength, ductility, weldability; rolled sections (W, HSS, angle, channel), bolted and welded connections, and corrosion protection systems
• Timber properties and engineered wood products: sawn lumber, glulam, cross-laminated timber (CLT), LVL, and nail-laminated timber (NLT)
• Masonry properties and systems: clay brick, concrete masonry unit (CMU), natural stone, and adobe; compressive strength, bond patterns, mortar types, reinforced masonry,
• Material selection criteria: structural performance, thermal properties, durability, embodied carbon, cost, local availability,

Non Core

• Hybrid material systems: concrete-steel composites, timber-concrete composites, CLT-steel hybrids; connection design, differential movement,

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Identify the principal conventional construction materials - concrete, steel, timber, and masonry - and describe their key structural, thermal, and durability properties [Familiarity]
2. Select and specify appropriate conventional construction materials for a building project, justifying the choice in terms of structural requirements, climate, embodied carbon, [Usage]
3. Evaluate the material specification of a building project for structural appropriateness, environmental performance, [Assessment]

2.3.4. BTC/Biobased and Mycelium Materials  (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top

Covers emerging biobased construction materials - hemp, bamboo, mycelium composites, earthen systems - and their structural, environmental, and architectural applications.
Topics:
Core

• Bamboo construction: structural properties (tensile and compressive strength comparable to steel by weight), joinery systems, treatment against insects and moisture,
• Earthen construction: adobe, rammed earth (pisé), compressed earth blocks (CEB), and cob; thermal mass properties, moisture vulnerability, structural limitations,
• Hemp-lime (hempcrete) construction: mix design, formwork, curing, and hygrothermal performance; carbon sequestration during hemp growth
• Mycelium composite materials: growth substrate preparation, molding, heat-killing, and mechanical properties
• Life cycle assessment of biobased materials: embodied carbon, biogenic carbon sequestration, end-of-life compostability,

Non Core

• Frontier biobased research: bacterial self-healing concrete, algae-based facade panels, wood-derived transparent materials,

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Describe the key biobased construction materials - bamboo, earthen systems, hemp-lime, and mycelium composites - and their structural, environmental, and architectural properties [Familiarity]
2. Select and specify an appropriate biobased material system for a construction project, integrating it with conventional structural elements [Usage]

NonCore:

1. Evaluate the lifecycle environmental performance of a biobased material specification, quantifying embodied carbon, biogenic sequestration, [Assessment]

2.3.5. BTC/Circular and Recycled Materials  (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top

Covers circular economy principles applied to construction: material reuse, recycled content specifications, design for disassembly, and material passport frameworks.
Topics:
Core

• Circular economy in construction: the hierarchy of reuse (refurbish, repurpose, recycle, recover); Ellen MacArthur Foundation framework applied to building materials and components
• Design for disassembly: reversible connections (bolted vs. welded, dry vs. wet joints), accessible fasteners, standardized component dimensions,
• Material passports and digital product declarations: documenting material composition, structural properties, and reuse potential
• Recycled content specifications: recycled steel (EAF vs. BF), recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), reclaimed timber,
• Adaptive reuse technical assessment: structural capacity evaluation of existing buildings, floor-to-floor height compatibility for new uses, facade retention feasibility,

Non Core

• Urban mining and deconstruction: selective demolition methodologies, material recovery rates, contamination testing,

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Describe the principles of circular construction, including design for disassembly, material passports, and recycled content specification, [Familiarity]
2. Apply circular economy principles to a building design, specifying recycled and reclaimed materials and designing connections and assemblies that support future disassembly [Usage]
3. Evaluate a building design or renovation project for circular economy compliance, scoring it against a material passport framework [Assessment]

2.3.6. BTC/Smart and Responsive Materials  (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top

Covers materials with programmable or adaptive properties - shape memory alloys, phase-change materials, thermochromic coatings - and their integration into building envelopes and structures.
Topics:
Core

• Phase-change materials (PCMs) in construction: paraffin-based and salt-hydrate PCMs embedded in wallboards, concrete, and facades
• Shape-memory alloys (SMAs) in architecture: nitinol actuators for adaptive shading, self-deploying structures, and vibration damping
• Thermochromic and photochromic coatings: color and transmittance change as a function of temperature or UV exposure
• Self-healing construction materials: bacterial concrete (Bacillus pseudofirmus), encapsulated healing agents in polymer composites, and the potential for reduced maintenance
• Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV): crystalline silicon, thin-film, and perovskite solar cells integrated into roof, facade, and glazing elements

Non Core

• Soft robotics in facade systems: pneumatically actuated polymer facades for solar tracking, natural ventilation control, and dynamic shading

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Identify the principal categories of smart and responsive materials - PCMs, SMAs, chromic coatings, BIPV - [Familiarity]
2. Select and integrate an appropriate smart material or responsive system into a building envelope or structure, justifying the choice in terms of performance benefit, cost, [Usage]

NonCore:

1. Evaluate a smart material system proposed for a building application, assessing its technical maturity, lifecycle performance, maintenance requirements, [Assessment]

2.3.7. BTC/Digital Fabrication and CNC Manufacturing  (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top

Covers the use of computer-controlled fabrication technologies in architecture: CNC milling, laser cutting, 3D printing, and robotic assembly - from prototype to full-scale construction.
Topics:
Core

• CNC and additive manufacturing fundamentals: G-code generation, toolpath strategies (roughing, finishing, contour), material constraints for CNC milling (wood, foam, metal),
• Laser cutting and sheet-metal fabrication: kerf compensation, nesting for material efficiency, living hinges, press-fit joinery,
• 3D printing in architecture: FDM, SLA, binder jetting, and concrete 3D printing (COBOD, ICON); layer resolution, support structures, material options,
• Digital-to-physical fabrication workflows: parametric model \(\rightarrow\) fabrication file \(\rightarrow\) machine \(\rightarrow\) assembly
• Fabrication-driven joinery: mortise and tenon cut by CNC, snap-fit and press-fit joints, tab-and-slot connections,

Non Core

• Full-scale robotic and CNC construction: robotic bricklaying (Hadrian X), automated rebar tying, CNC-cut mass timber frames (Gramazio Kohler),

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Describe the principal digital fabrication technologies - CNC milling, laser cutting, and 3D printing - [Familiarity]
2. Develop a digital fabrication workflow for an architectural element - from parametric model to toolpath generation - producing a physical prototype that meets defined dimensional [Usage]

NonCore:

1. Evaluate the feasibility of applying a digital fabrication method at building scale, assessing technical maturity, cost, speed, waste generation, [Assessment]

2.3.8. BTC/Robotic and Automated Construction ↑ Back to top

Covers the application of robotic systems to construction: on-site robots, autonomous vehicles, drones, and exoskeletons - and the implications for architectural design and detailing.
Topics:
Non Core

• Types of construction robots: bricklaying robots (SAM100), steel erection robots, concrete printing gantries, autonomous mobile platforms, and drone-based inspection
• Design for robotic construction: tolerances, repetition, and standardization required for robotic assembly
• Autonomous construction vehicles: self-driving excavators, graders, and compactors; GPS/LiDAR-guided earthworks and their impact on site planning, accuracy, and labor requirements
• Drone-based construction inspection and survey: photogrammetric as-built modeling, progress monitoring against BIM, defect detection using thermal imaging. See also: Multidisciplinary Model Coordination
• Collaborative robotics (cobots) on construction sites: human-robot task sharing, exoskeletons for load assistance, safety monitoring systems,
• Robotic construction workflows: from BIM model to robotic instructions; data exchange formats (IFC, G-code), simulation of robotic construction sequences. See also: BIM Fundamentals and Authoring

Learning Outcomes:
NonCore:

1. Identify the principal types of robotic and automated construction systems and describe their current capabilities, limitations, [Familiarity]
2. Design an architectural element or construction sequence that exploits robotic fabrication or assembly, specifying the robot type, toolpath logic, [Usage]
3. Evaluate the feasibility and cost-benefit of introducing robotic construction into a specific building project, considering site constraints, component geometry [Assessment]