Current Program

Architectural Technicians, who assist the architect in defining, creating, and organizing buildings, urban spaces and cyber-spaces, are in high demand in fields such as construction, drafting, estimating, building inspection, civil, electrical, mechanical and structural engineering, construction computer rendering, and computer-aided drawing. The Architectural Technology program emphasizes current computer hardware and software - macrostation, CALRES, Sketchup, Architectural Desktop, 3D studio and AutoCAD - in the preparation of construction documents for residential construction. The M.A.P.S. (Metropolitan Access Planning System)/ GIS (Geographic Information Systems) program is oriented toward training students to work in the information system side of Architecture and Urban Planning. Students completing the M.A.P.S./GIS option will be prepared as both viewer (preparing reports) and analyst (asking what if) of the complex data structures that compose Geographic Information Systems. Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) systems employ computer workstations to create digital drawings. The CAD Certificate is directed at professional and students in the construction fields who need to update their skills to include CAD Technology. The Digital Design Certificate is an excellent foundation structure for students interested in the fields of Architecture, Industrial Design, Toy Design, Furniture Design, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Interface Design, Virtual Reality Environment and Set Design. It is also an ideal certificate for professionals that need to transfer their design knowledge into a digital form. Students enroll in Architectural Technology courses for personal enrichment, for retraining and upgrading employment skills, to obtain degrees or certificates, and to meet requirements for transfer to four-year institutions. Several factors have affected the program in recent years, including changes in the environment, population, economic conditions, college budget conditions, and student interests and basic skill levels. Changes in technology and the increasing use of technology, as well as changes in human resources and facilities also have greatly affected the direction of the program.

Degrees and Certificates - An Associate in Arts degree is offered in Architectural Technology, an Associate in Science degree is offered in Architectural Technology - M.A.P.S./GIS, Certificates of Completion are offered in Architectural Technology and Architectural Technology - M.A.P.S./GIS, and Skills Certificates are offered in Computer Aided Drafting and Digital Design.

Personnel - At present there are two full-time faculty and four part-time faculty in the department.

Teaching Methodologies - The favorite types of teaching methods used in the classroom at this time include lecture/lab, lecture/demonstration, large lecture/study groups, lab, along with some computerized instruction.
Technology - No courses are offered online at this time, although some courses lend themselves to using new technology for instruction.

Equipment - The equipment used in the classroom is the same as that found in a professional office with a Local Area Network Environment. Computer software must therefore be upgraded annually to keep pace with the industry. Drafting boards in labs should be replaced with computers, and some of the current computers are obsolete and require replacement.

Facilities - Labs are in need of in need of appropriate furniture and wiring.

Future Program

In the future, the program will likely need to adapt to continuing changes in curriculum development, technology, teaching methods, and student academic preparation, as well as the college's recruitment strategies. It is projected that enrollment in the program will increase at the same rate as overall college enrollment in both the mid term (five years) and the long term (ten years) as demand for skilled high technology workers is increasing. See Program Projections.

Degrees and Certificates - A Certificate of Completion in Historic Preservation is in development.

Personnel - See Projected Faculty and Staff Needs.

Teaching Methodologies - More computerized (possibly online) instruction can be used in the future.

Technology - The increased use of computers in the workplace and the classroom dictates that technology will necessarily be a major part of this program. Computer video projectors are needed with laptops to aid instruction.

Equipment - Twenty new multi-media computers are needed in the LAUSD partnership lab. All drafting boards in labs need to be replaced with computers. All faculty offices need computers. Laptop computers with video projectors are needed for all classrooms.

Facilities - Additional labs equipped with multi-media stations are needed to match increasing enrollment. Additional storage space is needed.

Staff Development - Seminars on software application upgrades would benefit staff, as would workshops on CAD standards and ESRI/GIS.

Special Recommendation
The department should explore new methods of instruction and alternative delivery systems to provide more opportunities for students to access the program and to better respond to business and industry needs. Increased class sizes and new technologies should be incorporated as well.