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Architectural Technician 

Students in the architectural technician program are presenting their projects in a room. The students are all wearing business attire and standing.

From sustainable houses to sophisticated office buildings and community recreation centres, you can help design and build residential, commercial and institutional spaces that will shape our communities and the way people live.

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Home / Learn / Programs List / Architectural Technician 
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
Two years
Start Date(s)
September (Fall)
Locations
Belleville
Open to
International Students
Domestic Students

Find your career

Loyalist grads are well respected by employers across Canada. Architectural technicians and technologists are prepared to find work as: 

  • Designers and project managers in architectural and consulting firms. 
  • Project coordinators and estimators in construction. 
  • Technical and sales representatives for manufacturers. 
  • Municipal zoning and building plan examiners and inspectors. 
  • Self-employed entrepreneurs.

Our grads get great jobs

  • Architectural Designer, J.L. Richards & Associates Limited 
  • Principal, BDP Quadrangle Architects Ltd. 
  • Project Manager, Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects 
  • Chief Building Official, Loyalist Township 
  • Senior Architectural Technologist, Alexander Wilson Architect 
  • Owner/Designer, House of Three 
  • Building Development Consultant, Greer Galloway Group 
  • Architectural Designer / Project Coordinator, Q&E Engineering Inc.

Is it for you?

Successful students in this program are people who: 

  • Want to figure out how things work or how they go together. 
  • Like to sketch and design. 
  • May have some drafting or construction experience.

How you'll learn

Experiential learning 

Creative problem solving and real-world skills will build the buildings and cities of the future. In this program, learn the significance of architecture to human culture and how buildings are designed, developed and constructed

  • Learning combines studio work, classroom instruction and field trips to study the design and construction of major construction and renovation projects – working independently and in teams.
  • Develop skills in manual and computer design and drafting (CAD), and then create 3D models using the latest software in our state-of-the-art design studios.
  • During independent design projects, explore how to determine a structure’s physical needs, and design solutions that creatively address the use of space, materials, codes, structure, construction methods, zoning and the environment.
  • Consider expanding your portfolio and skills with a third year of study in Loyalist’s Architectural Technology program.

Outstanding faculty make the difference 

Learning is hands on, in brightly lit studios with dedicated teachers: 

  • Professors have broad experience in architectural firms, working on everything from schools to seniors’ residences, churches and commercial renovations.
  • Learn from an accredited architect, specializing in integrating sustainable techniques in architectural design.
  • A wide network of faculty contacts in the construction and design industries helps connect students with jobs.

Courses

ARCH1000 Architectural Drafting Studio 1

Students develop plans, elevations and sectional views for a single-family residential dwelling. Emphasis is on the appropriate use of lineweight, dimensions and annotation, and students become familiar with basic drawing conventions and organization. Hand drawing and the use of conventional drafting instruments is supplemented with AutoCAD toward the end of the term. This course involves both studio time and self-directed learning.

BLDG1001 Building Construction, Codes and Standards 1

This course is an introduction to typical construction methods and standards for houses and small buildings in Ontario. Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code is a major focus with particular attention to site work, footings, foundations, floor systems and stairs. The roles and responsibilities of architectural and construction professionals are reviewed.

BLDG1000 Building Methods & Materials

Students learn the properties, characteristics and uses of common and leading-edge building materials as used in residential construction. Students will be able to research, analyze and select appropriate materials for various construction applications.

CADD1000 CAD 1

The development of basic drafting skills using AutoCAD software will be the focus of most of the course. The course includes a review of Word and Excel as used in industry. SketchUp (used to create 3D designs) will also be introduced.

MATH1002 Computations

This course is designed to help students understand the application of essential mathematical concepts in the field of building technology. Emphasis is on all basic arithmetic skills including algebra and trigonometry as they apply to the design and building industry.

ARCH1001 Presentation 1

Students explore a variety of architectural presentation strategies and learn how an effective design presentation can be an important marketing tool. Using a variety of presentation strategies, students develop their own presentation visuals for a simple residential design. Ideas are initially explored using hand sketching, and then further developed using digital applications.

ARCH1002 Sustainable Design

Students develop critical awareness of the role of building design in society and the impact of design on the natural and built environments. Issues in urban and suburban design are explored. Students learn how building design, construction systems and materials affect the environment, and learn about opportunities to make better buildings.

GNED General Education Elective

General Education Courses

ARCH1003 Architectural Drafting Studio 2

Students build on the learning outcomes acquired in ARCH1000 Architectural Drafting Studio 1. Students explore various aspects of residential design through a variety of short projects, including developing typical working drawings for a multi-unit residential building. Prerequisite: ARCH 1000

BLDG1007 Building Construction, Codes and Standards 2

This course deals with the design and construction of exterior walls, roofs, and the structure of residential wood-framed buildings. Section 9 of the Ontario Building Code is specifically referenced. There is an emphasis on insulation and building membranes. Alternative residential construction techniques are also introduced. Prerequisite: BLDG 1001

CADD1001 CAD 2

This course builds upon the skills learned in CADD1000. Students learn how to format sheet layouts in paper space; set up annotative dimensions, text and multi-leaders; create annotative blocks with attributes; set up views and customized user coordinate systems; integrate custom hatches; and batch-plot a final drawing set in PDF format. Students also create a digital rendering from their AutoCAD drawings using Adobe Photoshop. Prerequisite: CADD 1000

ARCH1004 Design 1

Students design a small building to specified program and code requirements. The project is developed and presented using a variety of architectural presentation techniques. Prerequisite: ARCH 1001

SUST1001 Environmental Systems

This course explores current opportunities for creating sustainable buildings. Passive and active systems can provide heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation to buildings with a significantly lower impact on the environment. Students will design their own sustainable house using the principles and systems presented in the course. The LEED program is examined in detail.

ARCH1005 Introduction to Architecture

Students explore the foundations of our built environment. Key historical precedents are examined with a view to understanding the architecture that surrounds us today. The course further considers how concepts of sustainable design – such as adaptive reuse and building rehabilitation – have influenced recent building history.

BLDG1002 Statics

Statics is used to understand the structure of buildings. Students learn to solve practical problems in statics, including how the equilibrium of forces and moments applies to beam and column design. Prerequisite: MATH 1002

GNED General Education Elective

General Education Courses

CADD2000 Architectural CAD 3

This course builds upon the skills learned in CADD1001. Students develop techniques needed to prepare scaled drawings, including appropriate use of symbols, text and dimensions. Students create a partial set of working drawings for a commercial building – this set is coordinated with lessons and assignments in BLDG 2000. Prerequisite: CADD 1001 Co-requisite: BLDG 2000

BLDG2000 Building Construction, Codes and Standards 3

Techniques for masonry construction are introduced, and include handling, weather, site and building design considerations. Detailing of wall connections, foundations and roof assemblies are also covered. This course discusses medium-scale commercial buildings, as described in Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code. This discussion will also integrate the fundamental understanding of the functionality and use of vapour/air/moisture barriers and membranes. The dynamics of the medium-scale structure are investigated, with particular attention to the rigours associated with the Canadian environment. The working drawings developed in CADD2000 are used for some of the lessons and assignments in this course. Prerequisite: BLDG 1007 Co-requisite: CADD 2000

SAFE1002 Health & Safety

This course is designed to develop the students’ knowledge of the health hazards and safety risks that are present on a typical job site. The course will prepare students with strategies required for personal protection and general site safety. Upon completion of this course, the student will have earned certifications for key areas for employment on a typical construction project.

BLDG2015 Mechanical and Electrical Systems

A study of plumbing (water supply, sewage disposal, site drainage), mechanical (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) and electrical systems related to building design and construction.

ARCH2000 Presentation 2

Students develop skills in graphic communication for architectural design through the preparation of drawings of case study buildings, as well as the student's own design projects. The course will begin with hand sketching techniques and will focus on digital drawing tools for professional presentations. Prerequisite: ARCH 1004

ARCH2004 Project Coordination and Research 1

This course is an introduction to project management that focuses on project delivery methods, how different types of projects are managed, Gantt charts and using Microsoft Project to develop project schedules. The course also reviews the role of municipal zoning by-laws, and the process for variances and re-zoning.

BLDG2018 Strength of Materials 1

This course provides students with an opportunity to solve and present formal solutions to problems related to elementary structural analyses. Topics include stress, strain, material properties, cross-sectional properties, shear and bending moment diagrams, beam selection and column design. Prerequisite: BLDG 1002

CADD2001 Architectural CAD 4

This course builds upon the AutoCAD skills learned in CADD2000. Revit is the focus of the second half of the term. Students create a partial set of working drawings for a commercial building – this set is coordinated with lessons and assignments in BLDG 2002. Prerequisite: CADD 2000 Co-requisite: BLDG 2002

BLDG2002 Building Construction, Codes and Standards 4

This course continues with the curriculum of BLDG2000 and focuses on the building construction and code standards for multi-level commercial and multi-unit residential buildings covered by Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code. Topics include structural steel framing, structural steel stud framing concrete framing, exterior envelope assemblies, adaptive re-use of existing buildings, non-standard foundation systems, and water control around the building foundation. Students work on extensive drawing assignments and model making that enhance the understanding of building envelope and structure. Prerequisite: BLDG 2000 Co-requisite: CADD 2001

PROF2039 Career Research

Students learn techniques to help them in their career, and to find the best jobs in the design and construction industry. Specific tools and techniques are examined to improve employability through ongoing personal development.

ARCH2002 Design 2

Students will develop problem-solving skills and enhance their skills at building design and presentation through studio exercises. Students will start by studying the office building type. Each student will then create their own design of a small office building for an existing urban context. Professional presentation drawings will be created by each student of their design. Prerequisite: ARCH 2000

SURV2004 Introduction to Surveying

This course provides an overview of surveying fundamentals and knowledge. It combines field and classroom exercises and introduces students to the acquisition and application of data from topographic surveys. Prerequisite: MATH 1002

ARCH2003 Project Coordination and Research 2

This course involves developing the design of a small commercial building to create a preliminary set of working drawings. The site and building design will be developed in class to meet applicable zoning by-laws and requirements of Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code. The project development will include the coordination of structure, mechanical systems, electrical systems, elevator, exiting, exterior and interior assemblies. Students will prepare presentation drawings of the completed design. Prerequisite: BLDG 2000, CADD 2000

BLDG2003 Structures and Drafting 1

Students learn about structural systems and their components, along with the principles of structural stability and load transfer. Students develop skills in structural drawing for wood, steel and reinforced concrete structures. Prerequisite: BLDG 2018

GNED General Education Elective

General Education Courses

*Courses subject to change.

A presentation is being held inside a classroom setting to a group of students. The presenter is pointing at a floor plan and speaking. Fourteen green graphic circles are in the lower lefthand corner of the image.

Admission requirements

Required academic preparation 

  • OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) or (M) level, AND
  • Grade 12 English (C) level or equivalent

OR

  • Mature applicant
  • Students from other colleges can apply. Transfer credit requests will need to be reviewed.

Recommended academic preparation 

  • Grade 12 Math

Prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) 

Do you have work experience or other types of non-credentialed learning? Through Loyalist’s PLAR program, applicants and current students may be eligible to receive academic credit for relevant educational, work and life experiences.

International students  

Learn more about admission requirements for international applicants and how to apply.

Costs

Approximate costs (2024 – 25) 

  • Domestic Tuition: $2,722.08
  • Full-Time Ancillary Fees:* $1,367
  • Total: $4,089.08
  • Additional program costs: $436 (year one), $841 (year two) and $692 (year three)

Additional costs, such as supplies, travel and parking, may be incurred during workplace visits, etc.

*Fees related to programs that are less than or greater than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. Fees are subject to change. Please visit the Tuition and fees page for a list of the many services, activities and items included within the ancillary fees, and the related policies.

Paying for college 

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.

Approximate costs (2024 – 25) 

  • International Tuition: $15,000
  • Full-Time Ancillary Fees:* $1,367
  • Mandatory Health Insurance: $659
  • Total: $17,026
  • Additional program costs: $436 (year one), $841 (year two) and $692 (year three)

Additional costs, such as supplies, travel and parking, may be incurred during workplace visits, etc.

*Fees related to programs that are less than or greater than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. Fees are subject to change. Please visit the Tuition and fees page for a list of the many services, activities and items included within the ancillary fees, and the related policies.

Paying for college 

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.

A presentation is being held inside a classroom setting. The presenter is showing and pointing at maps and blueprints. Fourteen blue graphic circles are in the lower lefthand corner of the image.

Further study

Loyalist College offers flexible learning 

  • Graduate after two years or study or expand your career opportunities by completing a third year of study in the Architectural Technology program.
  • Earn a double diploma in another college program, in as few as two semesters

Pathways and university transfer

What’s next? Build on the knowledge and skills you learned at Loyalist by continuing your academic journey. Return to Loyalist to complete a second diploma or a post-graduate program in as little as a year, or receive credit recognition for your Loyalist studies when pursuing a degree at a university. Explore pathway opportunities.

Autodesk certification 

Students are eligible to take the Autodesk certification exams at Loyalist College. Completing these industry-recognized credentials enables students to highlight that they have the in-demand skills employers are seeking.

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