Architecture | Level I
Alpha Design Project (Small Residential)
About this bundle of courses
This Architecture | Level I bundle of courses provides the basics of architectural design, including Design Methods, Visual Communication, Drawing Literacy, Space Planning, Programming, Structures, Site Planning & Design, AutoCAD, and SketchUp. The Level I Alpha Design Project focuses on how to design a single-family home from scratch.
As part of the certification and diploma track bundles, students gain exclusive access to professional mentors who bring real-world expertise and personalized guidance to the learning experience. Beyond simply answering questions or clarifying material, these mentors are dedicated to helping students excel and deepen their understanding of the subject matter.
Students can schedule live Zoom sessions—either one-on-one or in small groups—with any available course instructor at their convenience. This valuable mentorship program is tailored to support your growth, with a flexible weekly sign-up schedule available through the Thinkific course management platform. Certification and diploma students are entitled to (6) live one-hour sessions for 2-credit courses and (9) sessions for 3-credit courses, ensuring ample opportunities for meaningful, personalized interaction with expert instructors.
What You Will Learn
Be able to produce a complete design package for a single-family residence, including technical drawings, framing & foundation plans, site planning & design, and presentation renderings.
This package includes the following courses:
F-010 Design Methods
This course covers the fundamentals of the design process and methodology, elements and principles of design language, as well as design conceptualization (ideation) and design strategy (translation). (2cr)
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F-020 Visual Communication
This course focuses on the necessary graphic tools for design expression: ideation sketching and diagramming, spatial representation (freehand drawing), Adobe InDesign & Photoshop. (2cr)
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F-030 Drawing Literacy
This course reviews basic building plans, sections, and elevations; proper dimensioning techniques and architectural drawing symbols; and the types of 3D drawings used in building design. (2cr)
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L-100 A | Alpha Design Project
This course focuses on the production of a comprehensive design package for a single-family residence.
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L-110 Programming & Space Planning
This course examines the basic steps of the programming and pre-design process, as well as the principles of space planning and applicable building codes, relative to a typical single-family residence.
L-121 Structures I
This course covers the basic concepts and principles of structural design, as well as the primary structural materials used in building construction, with specific focus on designing structural assemblies.
L-131 Site Planning & Design
Interior design enhances human experience by creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. This course on color explores its impact on mood, health, and well-being, emphasizing practical applications in various settings.
L-140 AutoCAD I
This course covers foundational knowledge of AutoCAD, including basic commands, national standards for drawing organization, and standard element sizing. Exercises will cover how to develop floor plans, elevations, sections, and schedules.
L-150 SketchUp
This course covers the use of Sketchup’s interface, as well as an introduction to navigating a virtual 3D modeling environment. Students will learn how to develop 3D representations for visualization, as well as other uses for SketchUp.
Taught by industry experts:
Liza Lockard
Dr. Elizabeth 'Liza' Lockard is Co-Founder and Co-Director of PABD. Formerly, Dr. Lockard was a tenured Professor at Chaminade University in Honolulu--where she taught Environmental + Interior Design for 11 years--and an Assistant Professor at University of Hawai'i School of Architecture. As a passionate educator with experience in CIDA/NAAB/WASC accreditations, as well as in curriculum development and core competency assessment, she brings vast knowledge and in-depth insights in forging a new direction for professional design education. Dr. Lockard has a master's degree in Architecture from Yale University and received her PhD in Futures Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. She is the author of the book titled, Human Migration to Space: Alternative Technological Approaches for Long-Term Adaptation to Extraterrestrial Environments, which was published by Springer as part of their Outstanding Doctoral Research series. She has written numerous articles, including "The Evolution of Space Architecture and Its Potential to Inspire New Paradigms for Inhabiting Earth," in the anthology, Ecological Design Thinking: Healthful Ecotopian Visions for Architecture and Urbanism, published by Routledge. In addition to her experience as an educator and scholar, Dr. Lockard has over 25 years of professional work experience. She has completed numerous architectural and interior design projects in Boston, New York, Hawai'i, Costa Rica, Switzerland, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Việt Nam (where she designed the new satellite US Consulate offices in Ho Chi Minh City). She was awarded a grant from the Graham Foundation for Art and Architecture to study post-urban development in Hanoi, and a Soroptimist Fellowship for her groundbreaking dissertation research on human habitation in space. Her other areas of research interest include: virtual reality (for psychological adaptation, isolation and confinement mitigation, and stress reduction) and strategies for environmental sustainability and restoration.
Jason Danielak
Jason Danielak, AIA, NCARB, ACP, is a versatile architect with over seven years of experience managing architectural projects from concept to completion. He holds certifications as a registered architect and Autodesk Revit specialist, complemented by an NCARB certification. With a passion for historic preservation, he earned a Master's degree in Preservation Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Jason’s extensive career spans roles such as Senior Architect at MOR Studio, Senior Project Architect at The Lunz Group, and Faculty Instructor at the Pacific Academy of Building Design. He has also served as an Architect, Draftsman, and 3D Modeler at JAD Design Services LLC, leading diverse projects for clients like Pustola & Associates and Yurts of Hawaii. Renowned for his expertise in Revit, BIM, design coordination, and construction documentation, Jason excels in delivering high-quality projects while maintaining effective collaboration with clients, contractors, and stakeholders. His dedication to innovation and professional growth underscores his impact in architecture and design.
Christopher Blake
Chris Blake has over 35 years of experience as an architect and educator, having received his B.Arch from Boston Architectural Center, and his M.Arch from Harvard University. He has since worked for several prestigious architecture firms in New England, including Koetter Kim & Associates, Stubbins Associates, and Chan Krieger Strawbridge. Some of the notable projects he was worked on include: - Oleana Restaurant - Cambridge, MA - European Community Ambassador's Residence - Bratislava, Slovakia - Auckland City Central Transportation Center - Auckland, New Zealand - Bose Corporation Campus Master Plan & Headquarters - Framingham, MA - Saint Paul's Choir School - Cambridge, MA - Taipei Center Master Plan - Taiwan His work has been featured in: Maine Home+Design magazine, Boston Business Journal, Landscape Architecture magazine, HGTV, Martha Stewart Living, Assemblage 3, (MIT Press), and GSD News. He has also been the recipient of two BSA Interior Awards. Besides his extensive professional practice, Chris has been consistently involved in teaching and mentoring aspiring design students. As a committed educator, he has held positions as Adjunct Professor at Wentworth Institute of Technology since 2009; as Instructor and Thesis Advisor at Boston Architectural College from 1982-2011; and as Guest Lecturer/Critic at Harvard Graduate School of Design, Rhode Island School of Design, Northeastern University, Roger Williams University, and University of Utah. He is currently president/principal of two firms that focus on bespoke design and building: Machado Blake Design, an award-winning firm that specializes in residential design; and Hybridhaus, a design 'test-kitchen' specializing in prefabricated structures and housing.
Aaron Shimizu
Aaron Shimizu is Co-Founder and Co-Director of PABD, and brings over a decade of architectural experience to his role. Prior to founding PABD, Mr. Shimizu served as BIM (Building Information Modeling) Manager at one of the largest architectural firms in Hawai'i, where he deployed many cutting-edge technologies—virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D scanning and 3D printing—to modernize the firm's practice. As a licensed architect in the State of Hawai'i, Mr. Shimizu has worked on over 100 building projects in various sectors: education, healthcare, hospitality, retail, commercial, high-rise residential, military, government, etc. Some of his more notable projects include: the Aulani Resort & Spa, where he worked directly with Walt Disney Imagineering to recreate Disney's vision in Hawai'i; the Sheraton Maui Guest Room Renovation, where he led the drawing production and construction administration effort for the renovation of this 500+ room resort; Mayor Wright Homes, a 400-unit high rise in Honolulu; Town Center of Mililani; Symphony Tower in Honolulu; and JN Velocity Luxury Automotive Dealership, where he worked with various luxury car brands. In addition, Mr. Shimizu has led teams, both in-house and outsourced, in drawing production. As a leading expert in CAD and BIM technologies, Mr. Shimizu has provided training to design professionals, been invited to speak at several events, and has been interviewed for news articles and live televised broadcasts. Throughout his professional career, Mr. Shimizu has also been engaged in AEC (Architecture/Engineering/Construction) education, serving as Adjunct Professor for several years at a local university where he taught night classes in CAD and BIM. His certifications include: Revit Certified Professional, AutoCAD Certified Professional, Autodesk Certified Training Instructor, Bluebeam Certified User, Bluebeam Certified Instructor, LEED Green Associate, Real Estate Salesperson (Hawai'i), Licensed Architect (Hawai'i).
This package also includes:
- 5 years of Access
- Free Course Workbook
- Professional Mentorship