Architectural Engineering

Introduction to the principles of fine art and aesthetic appreciation and architecture. The basic principles and methodologies in design with emphasis on two- and three-dimensional compositions, building sculptures, and using various materials to implement elements of different design forms.

Principles of natural and artificial lighting in buildings, study of acoustics, sound insulation, using measurement instruments in lighting and acoustics with some practical applications.

Preparing the construction drawings for the integrated architectural project and producing them according to the professional technical standards required for building tender documents, while observing building code requirements. Providing the construction drawings using related computer-aided design software.

Understanding the visual artistic and architectural elements in their sizes, textures, colors, and materials used in their formation and expressing them through manual drawing. Expressing configurations and compositions and scenes, and projecting them through individual and group practical exercises. Drawing plants, objects, masses, and people using pencils, charcoal, and various colors with emphasis on the aesthetic proportions of elements.

Architectural expressive media in drawing and architectural projection, engineering perspective and handling perspective with one-point and two-point perspectives. Methods of drawing interior and exterior perspectives of buildings, with varied exercises in architectural rendering. Study of shading and shadows and their projections on various architectural plans; projecting buildings in their shapes and configurations.

Properties of natural materials: strength, cohesion, porosity, thermal conductivity, etc. Building materials: stone, bricks of various types, cement, concrete types, wood, glass, metals, plastics. Construction methods: site preparation, soil testing, excavation, types of building foundations (continuous, deep, and piles) and footings, etc. Structural construction: columns, beams, floor slabs, and interior and exterior walls. Methods of moisture protection for buildings.

Development of architectural art in the cradle of Christianity and the civilizations that followed—from Byzantine through Romanesque and Gothic to the Renaissance. Analytical comparisons of historical examples from prominent periods to the revival of classical styles in Europe and the United States, and the architectural theories and transformations in the related visual arts.

Movements and theories in contemporary arts and architecture from the Industrial Revolution to the twentieth century. Notable artistic and architectural works by pioneers of architecture and the visual arts of the contemporary era. Analysis of regional architectural trends and local architectural identity, and the influence of environmental, social, and technological factors in shaping the character of contemporary architecture.

Laws, regulations, and building codes in cities and villages and their impact on architectural design, with emphasis on the related environmental, social and economic factors. Principles of planning, methods, levels, and land-use distribution in cities and their relation to regulations and zoning provisions.

Modern architectural communication media to develop the student's artistic sensibility and how to address various visual configurations. Practical applications using computer software and information technology in architectural communication processes. Expression of visual arts and design ideas between reality and metaphor.