McGill School of Architecture
Organization of Materials in Building
301-240B
Link to class lecture notes & slides
Dr. Avi Friedman, Rm. 420B, Tel. 398-4923
E-mail: afried9@po-box.mcgill.ca
Lectures: Wednesday, 12:30 - 2:30 P.M.
Laboratory: Wednesday, 2:30 - 3:30 P.M.
Objective
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to construction materials, to show how these are combined to form building components, and how these components are incorporated into buildings.
Attendance
Regular attendance at both lectures and lab periods is required. Please do not disrupt the class by late arrival.  If you arrive late, please use the back door.  You are expected to come to lectures prepared to ask questions; obviously, this requires that you read the assigned chapter in the reference text and class notes before each lecture. 
Main Reference Text / Class Notes
The reference text for this course is entitled Fundamentals of Building Construction, by Edward Allen (John Wiley & Sons, Toronto, 3rd edition, 1999).  The text is available at the McGill University bookstore.  Enclosed in this packet are lecture notes.  These notes are by no means all you need to extract from the lectures; it is imperative that you follow along, and make additional notes either on the left hand side of the page, or on additional sheets of paper inserted in the binder.
Secondary References
In addition to the main textbook, you may wish to purchase a copy of Wood Frame Construction published by C.M.H.C. (located in Place du Canada), and Fundamentals of Building Construction by Frank Ching (sold in bookstores around Montréal).  The purchase of these books for the entire class can be done by the class representative.

The following texts are on reserve at the circulation desk of the Blackader-Lauterman Library of Art and Architecture (in the Redpath Library building):
 
• TH 145  H8  1981  Building Construction 
W.C. Huntington & R.E.Mickadeit Wiley: N.Y.C., 1981		  Discusses many construction systems
• TH 4811 D5 1974  Dwelling House Construction 
Albert G.H. Dietz MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1974 		  Best book on wood building
• TH 153 A17  AJ Handbook of Building Enclosure
A.J. Elder & M.Vandenburg eds. Architectural Press, London, 1974		 .Basic principles, details for U.K. mostly
• WFH  H78 (Cutter)  Materials for Architecture
Caleb Hornbostel 
Wiley: N.Y.C., 1961		 Encyclopaedia for arch. materials
• TH 2031 A48 1980  Architectural Graphic Standards
C.G. Ramsey & H.R.Sleeper
Wiley, N.Y.C., 1970		 This is where architects look it up
Laboratory
The purpose of the lab period is to complement the lectures with “hands on” assignments, personal tutoring, construction films, and guest speakers.
Examination
The final examination will be given during the examination period at the end of the semester.  The format will be short answers.  The questions will be based on principles and key definitions outlined in the Allen text.
Assignments
A handout will be distributed in advance of each assignment which should provide complete information as to what is required.  Assignments will be due on the date specified on the handout.  You are expected to challenge yourself on these assignments; marks will be given for presentation, clarity, organization, understanding, design (where required), and conciseness. Type is encouraged for text.  Questions will be addressed following the laboratory, or lecture, in the first year studio.  Assignments will be returned with comments.  Do not take these assignments lightly: marking will be stric

 
 
Schedule
  Lecture Topic Due / Read*
1 The Building Envelope
2 Foundations Chapter 2
3 Characteristics of Wood Chapter 3
4 Wood Frame Construction Chapter 5
5 Roofs and Windows Chapter 6
6 Finishes Chapters 7 & 17
7 The Next Home
Study Break
8 Masonry Chapter 8
9 Stone and Concrete Blocks
10 Concrete Chapters 10 & 11
11 Prefabrication  Chapter 12
12 Steel – Principles Chapter 9
13 Steel – Examples

 
* Chapters in Edward Allen's book Fundamentals of Building Construction
       (John Wiley & Sons, 1999, 3rd ed.)