The receptionist informs you the company’s builder is on the phone and he doesn’t sound happy. The red hold light blinks with anticipation. You pick up the phone, take a deep breath, and press line one. Immediately the builder launches into his current predicament; the new homeowner wants the home of the future. New ideas, new resources, and they want your expertise and insight. Patting yourself on the back isn’t an option, because each delay costs the builder and the company you work for money. Residential design intern or not, you have a job to do and clients to please.

Imagine - for a moment - the buzz in your classroom as your students work on the cutting edge of residential architecture, implementing alternative energy and materials to turn their visions into the homes of the future.

Why Teach Residential Home Design
In 2004, over 1.9 million homes were built. Residential homes continue to be a thriving source for careers and an important investment in both time and emotion for every consumer. More and more, technology and advanced materials are finding their way into the family home. Architectural design exposes students to more than just design concepts, but can be used as a springboard to teach students scale drawing techniques and 3D CAD skills.

Some Key Concepts and Outcomes

• Explain how engineered and recycled materials are used in the construction industry
• Understand and demonstrate how to create a scale model of a home for presentation purposes
• Understand and demonstrate how to design a home and sub-systems (electrical, plumbing and HVAC) using scale drawing techniques and 3D CAD skills
• Prepare an informational or persuasive oral presentation
• Apply the design process to real world problems
• Explain the basic elements of a quality home design

Curriculum Length
The curriculum has been designed for flexibility with two separate projects. The length of the curriculum is controlled by the educator and can run from 20 to 45 hours.

How We Teach
To make the curriculum easy to implement, all the necessary knowledge and skills are delivered through totally interactive software. Through text, pictures, animations, and digital video, students are led through the exciting world of residential home design. Due to the highly interactive and self-directed nature of our curriculum, each student is allowed to find their own pace. Regardless of the learner’s motivation or learning style, students will find a new level of success with our innovative and engaging approach.

This curriculum was designed to support state assessments by addressing national math, language, science, and technology standards.

Skills for Life
Good life skills are made relevant through situations that have students examine their actions. Through interactions with their boss, co-workers, and customers, students learn what it takes to be successful in the real world. They discover the long-term benefits of making the choice to take pride in what they do.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Employers want people who solve problems. Our projects lead students through analyzing, brainstorming, and creating solutions using the design process.

Computer Requirements:
Windows® 98SE or higher, 128 MB of RAM, 2 GB of hard disk space, CD-ROM, sound card, 32 MB video card memory, headphones, minimum 1024x768 screen resolution