Introduction

My name is Dave Martin and I am the Department Chair of the Architecture Department at Glendale Community College. I would like to welcome new and returning students to the department and to provide any information needed. Please feel free to contact me in person, by email, or phone if you have any questions that are not covered on this page or within the department website.

The Goals of the Architecture Department

• Provide new students with the information, skills, and training to enter the field of architecture.

• Provide a course of study which will allow those already working in architecture to advance within their organization.

• Provide an overview of architecture, design, inspection and construction functions and their dependencies upon each other.

• Provide architects a resource of trained and knowledgeable personnel for both entry-level and advanced positions.

Instruction

Most classes are taught in the afternoon and evening to meet the requirements of working and full-time students. Classes are taught by one full-time and three part-time instructors six days a week. Not only does the department offer instruction in manual drawing, but also computer-aided drafting techniques like AutoCAD (see below for other software). Students have the option of using either method of drawing in the advanced drafting/design classes. Students will find that classes are taught in an informal, studio-type environment similar to the methods used at 5-year Architecture schools. All of the instructors within the department feel an obligation to help students achieve their goals as they relate to the study of Architecture. Many of the advanced design classes have a model building option which teaches the skills needed to create a study or finished scale model of their project.

Topics that are covered within the department include:

Transfer

Glendale College has an excellent transfer rate to 4 and 5 year college and university programs. On the average, 4 to 5 students transfer each year to local Architecture Schools. Students have transferred to programs at Cal Poly Pomona, USC, Woodbury, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, University of Arizona, Columbia, and other local colleges. The training received at GCC prepares students for the Bachelor's of Architecture (B.Arch) degree as well as, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering, and Architectural Studies.

While many of the classes within the department do not directly transfer to these programs, the projects that are completed provide excellent material for the creation of a portfolio. Most programs require a portfolio for new and transferring students. These portfolios may be used as part of the application process and also to gain college credit within these programs.

Skill-Based Training

If you are looking for software-specific classes, various programs are taught that are in current use in the Architectural industry.

Some of these software programs include:

• AutoCAD 2008 (AutoCAD 2009 to be offered in Fall 2008-09)

• AutoCAD Architecture

• Google SketchUp

• 3D Studio Max

• Rhino

There are also plans to offer instruction in REVIT Architecture and ArcView 9.2 (GIS). These classes will be offered by the Fall 2009-2010 semester.

Thank you for your interest in the program and feel free to contact me with any questions about the department.

Sincerely,

Dave Martin

Department Chair

Architecture Department, Glendale Community College

(818) 240-1000 ext 5528

dmartin@glendale.edu

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