Lesson Overview

This lesson will introduce how the building code controls the Allowable Area and Height of a building design based on a given Occupancy Group and selected Construction Types. You will understand how to make informed design decisions based on program, building size and massing and construction / material selections. The Lesson will introduce to you how to confidently understand and use specific code tables and language to guide your building schematic design decisions.

Lesson Goals

You will understand how to make informed design decisions based on program, building size and massing and construction / material selections. This Lesson will help prepare you for our first Exercise, which will help you to actually work with the IBC, using code tables, allowances and exceptions to gain a working knowledge of how to determine allowable building area and height based on a specific Construction Type….or work in the opposite direction….determine a workable Construction Type based on a desired building area and height. This understanding will be immediately applicable to your work in studio and be invaluable to you as a practicing architect.