New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology (Level 6)
Architecture
A course by
WITT
Gain the essential knowledge and skills to enter employment in architectural technology, focusing on building design and documentation for residential and commercial projects. Learn with experienced tutors, industry connections, and flexible delivery supporting work-study balance.
Blended study
This is a mix of online learning & face-to-face sessions
WITT Main Campus, New Plymouth
It will take a total of 2 years
Core skills this course teaches
Apply construction principles and methodology
Evaluate design for small and medium building projects in a design, building, or construction-related environment using comprehensive knowledge of construction principles and methodologies.
Conduct feasibility studies
Carry out feasibility studies for small, medium, and large buildings considering design, construction, and client needs.
Client requirements and design communication
Establish the client’s requirements, develop and communicate concept and building design, and prepare approval documentation according to the client brief.
What You're Signing Up For
The New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology (Level 6) at WITT equips students with the comprehensive theoretical and practical skills required to contribute to building design projects. The programme emphasizes all stages of building design and documentation for small, medium, and large construction projects, incorporating industry best practices, legislative requirements, and digital technologies. Graduates can produce compliant working drawings and collaborate effectively in construction contract environments, ready for employment or further study.
Course Content
- Introduction to construction roles, responsibilities, documentation, and communication
- Structural principles and properties of materials and finishes
- Site and building limitations, environmental impacts, sustainable construction methods
- Building services and legislative requirements
- Residential construction: structures, envelope, interior
- Graphical skills for design and construction documentation
- Preliminary architectural design for small projects
- Documentation for small building construction
- Commercial construction: foundation methods, systems, envelope, interior for larger buildings
- Tendering and contract administration
- Applying social and cultural factors to built environment design
- Interpreting and preparing construction details
- Documentation for medium building construction
- Building proposals, design drawings, and approval documentation
- Principles of building information modelling (virtual design and construction)
- Industry investigation project
What you need to know first
NCEA Level 2 including mathematics and NCEA Level 1 including literacy; OR
A relevant qualification at NZQF Level 4 or above; OR
A recognised equivalent.
Special Admission: Age 20+ with assessment of preparation.
Discretionary Admission: Under 20 with assessment of preparation.
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Architecture
Construction
Building Design
Property
Future employment opportunities might be
Architectural technician
Building design assistant
Documentation specialist
Entry roles in architectural design/technologist practices