Exploring Architectural Drawing Courses at Cape Cod Community College

Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) offers a variety of courses, including those focused on architectural drawing. These courses aim to introduce students to the architecture and design industry, equip them with essential drafting skills, and prepare them for further studies or careers in related fields. The college also boasts the Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center, a net-zero building that serves as a hub for STEM education on campus.

Computer-Aided Drafting with AutoCAD and Revit

A foundational course introduces students to computer-aided drafting (CAD) using Autodesk's AutoCAD and Revit software, essential tools in contemporary architectural design practices. The course emphasizes the standard graphical means of communication between architects and constructors. Students develop drafting techniques using the computer as the primary tool. The curriculum covers 2-D drawing, multi-view drawing, orthographic views, dimensioning, sectional views, and graphic patterns. The course also includes an introduction to 3D form and space with Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.

Core Skills for Architectural Design

Beyond CAD, CCCC offers courses that build a foundation for architectural design. Students apply various graphic approaches that may include drawing from still life, landscape, and the human figure. Emphasis is on individual creative expression with the objective being the development of perception and understanding of natural phenomena and translation of this information to a two-dimensional surface. Basic design elements including line, shape, color, texture, value, and composition and their integration on a two-dimensional surface are studied and applied. Students also explore the nature and effect of color in its full utilization as a design element in conjunction with the interaction of positive and negative space, optical phenomena, and theories of harmony and visual dynamics.

Advanced Drawing Concepts and Techniques

Students explore advanced drawing concepts and techniques, including free-hand perspective and rendering techniques as they apply to the representation of natural and man-made forms. Emphasis is placed on drawing the human figure including the nude. An investigation of a variety of fundamental visual forms and concepts that can be used to delineate and describe both two and three-dimensional structures.

Supporting Courses

While not directly architectural drawing courses, other courses at CCCC complement this skillset:

Principles of Financial Accounting: This course is the study of the generation and interpretation of accounting information as a basis for financial statement analysis and management decision-making. Topics include: the accounting cycle, recording transactions, adjusting and closing accounts, preparing financial statements, inventory valuation, depreciation methods, acquisition and disposal of assets, receivables, liabilities, investments, and interpreting financial statements of proprietorships, partnerships and corporations.
Introduction to Graphic Design: This course introduces the field of graphic design, including typography, layout and general graphic techniques. The use of technology and computational skills are applied in studio projects to support creativity and proficiency in handling media and preparing graphic designs.
Typography: This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of typography. Students demonstrate how to utilize type to solve visual problems in graphic design and visual communication. Students are taught typographic structures and terminology for visual problem solving. This course uses both computer and hands-on methods to address the language of type and its effective usage.
Digital Photography: This is an introductory course in digital photography, exploring both digital capture and aspects of Adobe Photoshop. This course focuses on developing strong photographic skills, creating dynamic images and an online portfolio.
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign: Students learn Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign. This course introduces fundamental concepts and terminology for creating and editing electronic images. Students utilize these applications in graphic design, publication design, and preparation of documents for the web.
Printmaking: The study and development of the fundamental elements of printmaking techniques using a variety of approaches to edition and unique printing.
Silkscreen Printing: Students study elements and apply methods of silkscreen printing. Students create individual printable designs and work on paper and fabric surfaces to create multicolor screen-printed images.
Painting: This is an introductory course in painting, exploring a variety of approaches and painting media. A series of landscape, still life, and personal imagery paintings are investigated as both descriptive and imaginative forms of creative expression.
3D Design: This course is an introduction to the elements of visual language (line, shape, tone, texture, color, light, volume, negative space) in 3D form. Students solve 3D design problems by creating modeled and constructed forms both in relief and free-standing form. Historical references are made to support the development and understanding of the work.
Graphic Design History: This course critically investigates and explores graphic design and visual communication history, materials, techniques and styles, major movements and significant artists and designers. This course requires students to participate in lecture and presentation, and prepare writing and studio projects.
Portfolio Preparation: This course covers preparing, critiquing, and presenting a portfolio utilizing existing, personal art work. The portfolio of work will be used primarily to support the students transfer to art school. Other topics include writing a resume and cover letter and creating an artist’s statement.
Galleries and Exhibition Management: This course offers an introduction to galleries and their management with both theoretical and practical experience. Students learn about public and private galleries and the acquisition, care, study, and diffusion of objects. It is designed as a hands-on experience working exclusively in CCCC Higgins Art Gallery. The course introduces the student to careers in art practice, gallery and exhibition management. The student gains theoretical and practical experience in the field of display methods, design and management.

The Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center

The Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center at Cape Cod Community College exemplifies the college's commitment to innovation and sustainability. Designed by Payette, this luminous, net-zero building occupies the heart of the campus. The college is a key institution of higher learning for the region, and it was clear that this would be the only major investment in the aging campus for several decades. Achieving the team’s ambitious goals to elevate the college’s STEM programs required innovation and careful attention to every dollar spent.

Design and Sustainability

As the only such institution on Cape Cod, the center needed to enhance the college’s presence as an education hub and build interest in STEM among an underserved population. Much of the campus was designed and built in the 1960s, featuring brutalist designs that have not accommodated modern building standards and pedagogical shifts. The college’s science and engineering programs were most affected by the existing conditions since standard safety precautions were difficult to meet and social spaces were few. The stress of endless deferred maintenance and an underwhelming learning atmosphere were arguments for the new center.

Beginning with its location in the heart of campus, the project does not shy from challenging the entrenched campus culture and accessibility issues characteristic of the college’s existing, heavy buildings. The new pavilion-style building stands as a beacon for learning and connection, offering gathering spaces for the entire campus and extending the center’s popularity well beyond the core programs it houses. “This organic center rises from the ground and almost seems to be one with the earth. The one-and-a-half-story building is nestled into the crown of a hill, emerging as a carved wooden form that embraces weathered textures and materials reflective of Cape Cod’s vernacular. Its siting and extensive landscape interventions provide a welcoming approach from the center of campus, replacing a veritable fortress of buildings backed by a ring of parking lots. A strategically located triple-pane curtainwall entices students from all disciplines by highlighting the generous informal study spaces within.

Since arriving on campus, the center has greatly eased the college’s backlog of deferred maintenance and, because of its net zero status, lessened its utility bills.

Key Features

Net-Zero Energy: The building is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes, reducing its environmental impact and operating costs.
Central Location: Its location in the heart of campus promotes accessibility and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration.
Modern Design: The pavilion-style building offers a welcoming and engaging learning environment, a stark contrast to the campus's older, brutalist structures.
Sustainable Landscaping: The project increased the site area supporting vegetation from 38% to 41%, incorporating native plants to support local ecosystems.
Water Management: The project manages 100% of stormwater on-site and reuses grey/blackwater. Potable water is not used for irrigation or cooling.

Design Process

The design process for the Wilkens Science and Engineering Center involved significant community engagement. Potential stakeholders were informed about the project and provided with opportunities to provide input at pre-designed points in the process. Stakeholders were involved throughout most of the process. A partnership is formed with stakeholders to share in the decision-making process including development of alternatives and identification of the preferred solution. Stakeholders were provided with opportunities to make decisions for the project.

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