ND5351 National Diploma in Architectural Technology
If you want to take your future to the drawing board, CAD and beyond, the National Diploma in Architectural Technology is the programme.
It's an industry-recognised qualification that teaches you draughting skills including establishing a design brief, presenting preliminary designs, developing building concepts and preparing working drawings to a standard for building consent approval.
You will also learn about all types of construction, building services, materials and environment, building law and contract administration.
Learn more about studying Construction at the Open Polytechnic.
Download the brochure for this programme, ( .pdf 507kb) document will open in a new window.
Programme structure
275 credits from unit standards
Compulsory
| Unit | Unit Standard Title | Level | Credit |
| 9659 | Administer a tender process for a building project. Compile tender and contract documentation; invite, accept, and select tenders; and interpret types of construction contracts to tendering situations. | 5 | 5 |
| 9661 | Administer contracts and value building works. Establish communication protocols, value work executed, evaluate costs of variations and fluctuations, evaluate the cost of time extensions, adjust nominated sums, prepare final account statements, prepare progress certificates, and prepare completion certificates. | 5 | 5 |
| 9663 | Demonstrate knowledge of feasibility study of a site. Knowledge of feasibility study in terms of legislative requirements, identify the limitations in a site, and establish the condition of a building. | 5 | 5 |
| 9664 | Demonstrate knowledge of building law. Identify aspects of the New Zealand legal structure, explain principles of selected branches of New Zealand civil law, explain aspects of New Zealand law relating to business entities, and explain legal fundamentals of dispute resolution. | 5 | 10 |
| 9667 | Apply principles from published data to the provision of services for small buildings. Explain purposes of services in small buildings, explain principles of operation relevant to services in small buildings, explain principles of coordination and placement of services for small buildings, and demonstrate knowledge of legislative requirements to services in small buildings. The unit covers typical building services systems in residential buildings, including their function. There is a required textbook. | 5 | 10 |
| 9668 | Apply principles from published data to the provision of services for medium and large buildings. Explain purposes of services in medium and large buildings, explain principles of operation relevant to the construction of medium and large buildings, explain principles of coordination and placement of services for medium and large buildings, and demonstrate knowledge of legislative requirements relevant to services in medium and large buildings. The unit covers typical building services systems used in commercial and multi-storey buildings, including recognition of main components and basic function. There is a required textbook. | 5 | 10 |
| 9669 | Apply principles from published data to evaluate and select materials and finishes for buildings. Explain the characteristics and physical properties of materials and finishes used in buildings, and evaluate performance and compatibility of materials and finishes to be used in buildings. | 4 | 10 |
| 9670 | Apply principles from published data to environmental impacts on and of the built environment. Identify environmental aspects of building construction and services, and evaluate techniques that may apply to the built environment. | 5 | 10 |
| 9671 | Describe construction methods for small buildings. Describe the site, foundations and substructure, structure, envelope, and interior of a small building. The unit covers residential buildings of light timber frame and hollow masonry construction. Practical, weathertight , economic construction is emphasised, especially when dealing with junctions between materials and elements. NZ Standard 3604 is supplied in the materials. This unit is normally the introduction to construction for most students. | 5 | 15 |
| 9672V6 | Describe construction methods for medium and large buildings. Describe the site, determine and describe the foundations and substructure, develop and describe the passive fire protection system, determine and describe the structure of a building of specific design, design and describe the envelope of a building, and describe the methods used to construct the interior of a building. Medium and large buildings can include domestic and commercial buildings not covered by the definition of small buildings. | 6 | 25 |
| 10161 | Establish a design brief for a building project. Establish the client's requirements, site restrictions, and initial site design possibilities. This unit is intended for people contributing to a complex design brief as part of a team, or completing a simple design brief. | 5 | 5 |
| 10162 | Contribute to the preparation of, and present a preliminary design. Integrate site possibilities with site limitations, contribute to the development of a brief into a design concept, and present a preliminary design to a client. This unit is intended for people contributing to a complex design brief as part of a team, or completing a simple design brief. Students require access to computer aided drawing (CAD) facilities. | 5 | 10 |
| 10163 | Prepare a developed building concept. Prepare documentation to apply for resource consents for a building project, prepare preliminary costings, and develop a design into a building concept. | 6 | 10 |
| 10164 | Prepare working drawings for small buildings. Prepare location drawings, component drawings, and schedules of materials and finishes for small buildings in light timber frame and concrete masonry construction. The unit explores the methods and skills needed to represent building construction on drawings, and introduces LACS as a method of organising contract drawings. A background of technical drawing or graphics and design is appropriate. Students require access to computer aided drawing (CAD) facilities. This unit is normally the introduction to architectural drawing for most students. | 5 | 45 |
| 10165 | Prepare working drawings for medium buildings. Prepare location drawings, assembly drawings, component drawings, and schedules of materials and finishes for medium scale buildings. The unit applies a logical arrangement to the contract drawings needed for medium scale buildings in hollow masonry, single storey industrial buildings with portal frames, trussed roof structures, and in-situ concrete commercial buildings up to two storeys. Students require access to computer aided drawing (CAD) facilities. | 6 | 40 |
| 10166 | Prepare working drawings for large buildings. Prepare location drawings, assembly drawings, component drawings, and schedules of materials and finishes for large buildings. The unit applies a logical arrangement to the contract drawings needed for multi-storey buildings in reinforced concrete, steel, laminated timber. Students require access to computer aided drawing (CAD) facilities. | 6 | 30 |
| 10167 | Evaluate the principles of architectural design. This unit applies design principles to architectural projects, illustrates the historical development of design principles, explains the differences in design across cultures, and describes the interaction of people with a built environment. | 6 | 15 |
Plus 10 credits from Communication Skills - any domain
Interpersonal Communications
| Unit | Unit Standard Title | Level | Credit |
| 1307 | Present ideas and information orally to a specified audience in a predictable situation. | 3 | 3 |
9694 | Analyse and apply principles of communication process theory. | 3 | 4 |
Writing
| Unit | Unit Standard Title | Level | Credit |
| 1279 | Write in plain English | 3 | 3 |
3491 | Write a report | 3 | 4 |
| 9685 | Write a short analytical report | 5 | 4 |
Reading
| Unit | Unit Standard Title | Level | Credit |
| 2990 | Read texts to research information | 3 | 4 |
Entry requirements
To be considered for enrolment in the Construction programmes you must have at least one of the following qualifications:
- 35 or more credits towards NCEA Level 2 in four subjects including Maths and English,
- NZQA Unit Standards equivalent to the above,
- New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate in at least 3 subjects preferably including Maths and English,
- National Certificate in Carpentry,
- Qualifications equivalent to the above.
If you do not have any of the above qualifications but have relevant skills and/or work experience you may still be able to enrol in these programmes. You will be asked to provide other evidence which must be sufficient to meet the enrolment entry requirements. Please contact the Programme Co-ordinator to discuss your options.
If you are currently studying or have studied towards one of the Construction Diplomas with another institution please contact the Programme Co-ordinator before enrolling.
English Language
If English is not your first language, you must supply evidence of one of the following with your enrolment application:
- A minimum score of 6.0 (academic) in IELTS (with no individual band score less than 5.5)
- Passes in other recognised English proficiency tests equivalent to the above, subject to Academic Registrar’s discretion
- Evidence of successful study at a tertiary level taught in English.
Computer requirements
We recommended you have access to a computer and have word processing experience. If you study the National Diploma in Construction Management or Quantity Surveying you will also need a basic knowledge of spreadsheets.
Enrolment
If this is your first enrolment into a Construction Programme you need to submit the following information:
- A completed Application for Enrolment form
- A current curriculum vitae (CV)
- A letter explaining why you wish to study and what it will help you achieve.
Please make sure your letter answers the following questions set out below. This is so that we can make sure you enrol in the right course and that you understand the amount of time and commitment needed to complete a Level 6 Diploma.
- Why do you want to study the National Diploma?
- Career wise, what do you hope the National Diploma will help you achieve?
- How many hours a week will you set aside for study and how will you manage this time?
- What support will you have while studying? E.g. employer, mentor or family member.
If you have not recently studied at tertiary level, you may benefit from a Tertiary Studies Skills course that we offer. Please discuss your particular situation with the Programme Co-ordinator.
Once your application has been received you will be contacted by a Lecturer / Programme coordinator who will discuss the above in a telephone interview.
Re-enrolment
You can re-enrol by completing a 2010 Reenrolment Form or by calling us on 0508 650 200.
Level of study
Level 6 (Find out about levels of study)Hours of study
10 hours per credit - unit standards vary from 2-45 credits
Fees
Download the 2010 fee schedule ( .pdf) document will open in a new window.
What do I do now?
Request a copy of the brochure.Download an enrolment form.
For further information free phone 0508 650 200 or email
Other Information
Units US10164, US10165 and US10166 require that you complete approximately 50% of your drawings in a Computer Aided Design (CAD) package. It is a condition of enrolment in these unit standards that you have access to computer facilities and a CAD package.
CAD software: As a student of The Open Polytechnic, some software packages are available to you from retailers at education prices. For further details, contact your tutor or programme coordinator.
Course materials: Students should allow for the cost of course materials such as a drawing board, drafting pens and so forth. For further details, contact your tutor or programme coordinator.
