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architectural house plans

New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology (Level 6)

NZ2416

Course details

Summary

Architectural technicians use their construction and drawing knowledge to make building designs become a reality.

They produce drawings and documents that enable pricing, consenting and construction of domestic and commercial building projects. They also create architectural models and specifications and may be involved in administering construction contracts.

Students in this programme will learn to prepare fully detailed drawings and specifications for the construction of buildings, both manually and using CAD packages.

Students will be equipped to work as an architectural technician in small-to-medium-scale building projects.

After an additional period of suitable experience, students will be able to work on larger and more complex building projects.

What you will learn

Year one includes documentation for small buildings, materials and structural principles, construction for small buildings, feasibility and environmental impact.

Year two includes construction for medium and large buildings, design in the built environment, virtual design, and construction.

Students will study a range of modules that will teach them to:

  • Research, prepare, and communicate design and construction documents for small to medium scale projects
  • Assist with researching, preparing and communicating design and construction documentation for large or complex building projects
  • Assist with general practice management
  • Demonstrate oral, oral, and written communication skills in both formal and informal styles
  • Demonstrate social, legal, and cultural contextual knowledge

View programme modules

Module CodeModule TitleLevelCreditsPre-RequisitesCo-Requisites
CONS5001Introduction to Construction515
 
CONS5002Materials and Structural Principles515  
CONS5003Environment515
 
CONS5004Services515CONS5002
CONS5005
 
CONS5005Construction 1 Residential515
 
CONS5706Drawing 1515
 
CONS5707Scoping and Preliminary Design 1515CONS5005
CONS5706
 
CONS5708

Documentation 1

515CONS5005
CONS5706
 
CONS6001Construction 2 Commercial615CONS5005  
CONS6702Contract Administration615  
CONS6703Design in the Built Environment615  
CONS6704Detailing615CONS5707 
CONS6705Documentation 2615CONS5707
CONS5708
 
CONS6706Scoping and Preliminary Design 2615CONS5707 
CONS6707Virtual Design and Construction615CONS5003
CONS5004
CONS5707
CONS5708
 
CONS6708Industry Project615CONS5003
CONS5004
CONS5707
CONS5708
 

Flexibility to fit your life 

Components of this programme are on the Wintec student online portal Moodle. That means you can plan your study around other commitments, or take on part-time employment through our industry connections while you study.

Learning by doing

Throughout the programme, students will use the latest computers and CAD software. They will visit construction sites to complete problem-based and practical assignments.

Students will build a scale model house that complies with current industry standards and New Zealand legislation. 

Career/further opportunities

Graduates may be employed as an architectural technician in small-to-medium-scale building projects and after an additional period of
suitable experience may be able to work on larger and more complex building projects.

Disclaimers

Entry criteria

General admission

Applicants must hold one of the following:
  • A minimum of 50 NCEA credits at Level 2 and a minimum of 12 credits in NCEA mathematics (or pāngarau) Level 1 and 12 literacy credits at NCEA Level 1, or
  • a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 4 or above, or
  • a recognised equivalent.

Special admission

Anyone who is 20 years of age or older and has not reached the general admission requirements is eligible for Special Admission. We work with ākonga (learners) to ensure they are prepared for their intended programme. 

Discretionary admission

Anyone who is not yet 20 years of age and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme may be eligible for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the delegated authority focuses on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.

English language requirements

Applicants for whom English or te reo Māori is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme. International applicants are required to have an IELTS (Academic) score of 6 with no individual band lower than 5.5 from a single test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules.

Do not meet the entry criteria or need more information?

Pathways

Architectural technology pathway diagram

To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.

Your first day

Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.

Semester 1 2024

Induction day
Date: Tuesday 13 February 2024
Time: 10am-2pm
Venue: A1.04, A Block, Hamilton City Campus

Informal drop-in sessions

Join one of the below drop-in sessions anytime between 9am and 2pm where you can check out some of our learning software, meet your teaching team, find out more about our support services available, and get answers to any questions you may have.

Session 1
Date: Wednesday 14 February 2024
Time: 9am-2pm

Venue: AG.02, A Block, Hamilton City Campus

Session 2
Date: Thursday 15 February 2024
Time: 9am-2pm

Venue: AG.02, A Block, Hamilton City Campus

What you will need

A laptop capable of running AutoCAD and Revit (note that this software is not available on Mac iOS). Access to CAD Software will be provided for free.

Timetable information

All Wintec timetables are available online here.

How to find your way around

Campus maps can be found here.

Parking and bus information

Both the Rotokauri and City campuses have parking available - payment and permits may be required. The Gardens Campus has free parking available. Learn more about parking and find out about bus services here.

He reo pōwhiri, your official welcome to Wintec

Tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koe e piki nei, e kake nei ki te Kuratini o Waikato.

You are warmly invited to attend the official welcome to Wintec for all new students, staff and whānau (family) at either our marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa or Rotokauri campus. The pōwhiri is a welcoming ceremony involving mihimihi (speeches), waiata (singing), and will conclude with kai timotimo (light refreshments). Please gather at the campus hubs, and a staff member will guide you through our pōwhiri.

Click here to find out when the next pōwhiri will be.

Paying for your study

Course-related costs

Drawing equipment required

A detailed list will be provided on your first day to help with purchasing the correct items:

  • Technical Propelling Pencil with Leads 2H and HB leads
  • Scale rule, with 1:100, 1:50 and 1:20
  • Line or lettering guide (Alvin Ames Lettering guide L666)
  • Circle guide or may be called a 'Radius Guide'
  • Adjustable set square
  • Drawing tube for transporting work
  • Drawing paper (A3, good quality blank cartridge paper)
  • A3 Drawing Paper Carry Case
  • Drawing pencils – mechanical clutch-type pencils are ideal with lead size 0.5mm for drawing and 1mm for sketching
  • Pencil lead grades for the best results are:
    • Construction line drawing (H to 2H lead)
    • Outline drawing (HB to B lead)
    • Sketching (HB lead)
  • Compass for circles (good quality) with spare lead and sharpener
  • Roll of masking tape 18mm
  • Set squares o 45 and 30/60

Optional (worth having)

  • Scale rule
  • Eraser
  • Templates for small circles, ellipses and curves

Highly recommended (optional)

  • A2 size drawing board for use at home (students have limited access to Wintec drawing boards outside of class time)

Clothing

  • PPE steel cap shoes
  • High vis vest

Please note that you do not need to bring these items with you on your first day but will need items throughout your course.

Additional information

Booklist

NZ standards and textbooks required:

  • Access to standards will be provided (digital)
  • House Building Guide; Pringle, Trevor (2011)-3rd Edition. Porirua: Branz Ltd

Purchasing textbooks

If your programme requires you to have access to textbooks, these can be purchased through a range of suppliers listed below:

    New Zealand-based suppliers

    General book suppliers

    First aid certificate

    Health status

    Uniform

    Equipment

    Clinical placement

    Prospectus (course guide)

    The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.

    Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus

    The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.

    Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus

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