CEA 2.1 Building Design and Construction
Lesson 2.1 Building Design and Construction
In this lesson students will learn typical wood-framed residential construction techniques and practices. They will build a common vocabulary related to building components and materials and become familiar with common residential framing methods and roof styles. In addition, students will be introduced to the technical documentation of residential structures and will use 3D architectural modeling software to model and document the design of a small outdoor storage structure.
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Concepts
1. Many residential structures are constructed with wood framing systems and are built using standard practices.
2. A variety of roof shapes and materials are available for residential structures to address aesthetic preferences, carry design loads, and meet environmental challenges.
3. Designers design, modify, and plan structures using 3D architectural software.
4. Architects and engineers use a variety of views to document and detail a building project on construction drawings.
Performance Objectives
It is expected that students will:
- Identify typical components of a residential framing system.
- Recognize conventional residential roof designs.
- Model a common residential roof design and detail advantages and disadvantages of that style.
- Use 3D architectural software to create a small building.
Essential Questions
1. Why is wood so often used for residential buildings?
2. What alternatives to wood frame construction are available and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
3. How are trusses able to span large distances?
4. What framing systems are used to support residential roofs?
5. How are different roof styles and pitches related to different architectural styles?
Key Terms
Key Term
Definition
Felt
A tar-impregnated paper used for water protection under roofing and siding materials.
Floor Joists
Horizontal structural members used to carry the floor and ceiling loads.
Header
A horizontal structural member used to support other structural members over openings such as doors and windows.
House Wrap
Engineered materials designed to keep out liquid water and prevent air infiltration while allowing water vapor to escape from inside the home.
Insulation
Material used to restrict the flow of heat, cold, or sound from one surface to another.
Sheathing
A covering placed over exterior studs or rafters that serve as a base below the exterior finish materials.
Siding
Material, such as boards or shingles, used for surfacing the outside walls of a frame building.
Sill
A horizontal wood member placed at the bottom of walls and openings in walls.
Solar Orientation
Consideration of the solar orientation of a building based on the relative position of the sun in order to purposely increase or decrease the amount of light or heat transferred to the building.
Source Reduction
Reducing waste by changing patterns of production and consumption.
Stud
The vertical framing member in frame wall construction.
Subfloor
The structural floor joined to the joists that support the finish flooring.
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of society in ways that can continue indefinitely into the future without damaging or depleting natural resources.
Top Plate
A horizontal structural member located on top of the studs used to hold the wall together.
Truss
An assembly of structural members joined to form a rigid framework, usually connected to form triangles.