Technical Advisors in Architecture Studios

rendering of science center with lattice canopy
Technical Advisors in Architecture Studios

Engineers and consultants with an array of expertise work with students one-on-one in upper division studio classes. Their expertise supports design and technical integration in student projects. Students refine their design proposal by incorporating expert feedback.

Technical Advisors are assigned to architectural design studio courses to teach technical skills (such as structural and mechanical engineering, sustainability, energy modeling, code, etc.) so that students can synthesize and integrate technical requirements in their design proposals. Technical Advisors are paired with architect instructors to teach these skills and weigh in on evaluation of student work. They are not expected to lead the course but to be part of the teaching team.

  • Provide professional expertise to support integration of design and technical considerations in student projects.
  • Meet with students, and their architect instructors in some cases, to individualize feedback in group or one-on-one settings.
  • Facilitate documentation of technical knowledge integration in student projects as required for NAAB accreditation.
  • Present best practices, precedents, new developments in their respective fields.

Sustainability: Architects with sustainability expertise teach students how to use computer simulations to optimize their design proposals. Students learn to make evidence-based design decisions to design buildings that use less energy.

Landscape Architecture: Landscape architect with a background in architecture guides students to create site and climate sensitive design proposals paying particular attention to watershed conditions.

Structure: Structural engineers consult on student projects to develop a structural proposal integrated with architectural design intent.

Mechanical Engineer: Mechanical engineer helps students to compare design options to identify solutions best suited to the climate and building type.

Egress and Accessibility Codes: Architect with code expertise provides individualized feedback on design studio projects. Students integrate code requirements into their design process.

Back to About Us