Terri Meyer Boake, BES, BArch, MArch, LEED AP
Professor School of Architecture University of Waterloo
email: tboake@uwaterloo.ca

Arch 570:
Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel Design

Fall 2024
Course Home Page

Course Description:

THIS COURSE IS ALL ABOUT DESIGN, NOT CALCULATIONS. LEARNING OUTCOMES INCLUDE AN INCREASE IN YOUR ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND HOW STRUCTURES WORK, AND DETAIL THE SAME. PORTFOLIO WORTHY DESIGN PROJECTS.

Using an international database of case studies this course examines in detail the architectural design, specification, fabrication and construction process for Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS). It references the standards that were developed by the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction. Lectures will address topics including, the AESS Category Approach, fabrication standards and practices, project communication, tensile structures, diagrid structures, curved steel, castings, pedestrian bridges, steel with glazing, steel with timber. The work of the term will use current steel based competitions to explore detailed design application of the material.

The term’s knowledge will focus on DESIGN PROJECTS that requires the students to design and detail architecturally exposed structural steel systems, connections and buildings.

Students will
· keep a detailed sketchbook of examples and details addressed in class (notes to be submitted weekly)

· prepare a weekly sketch of a steel detail

· in teams of 2 (masters) or (undergrad) students, complete the CISC Design Competition - Ascent

The overall intention is to provide you with a high level appreciation of steel structural systems and an adeptness for detailing that is appropriate to the specific project and building type. The work of the term is intended to provide you with some significant pieces for your portfolio.

The course reflects the research of my book on Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel published by Birkhauser in January 2015.

A major graded element this term will be your sketchbook - much like we did in Building Construction in first year. The taking of hand notes will help you in this process as well as encourage you to keep pace with the work and not fall behind. These will be evaluated on a weekly basis - so simple cell phone shots compiled into a PDF and uploaded to the LEARN Dropbox will suffice. They are due prior to the next class. Late submissions will be given a grade of zero.

Sketches: We will begin the term with a series of weekly sketches of close up connection details that can be based upon photos from the lectures or sourced online. Part way through the term we will switch to an in class paired sketching exercise where you will reimagine details based on a "theme".

The major term project will be the CISC Competition". I am excited to inform you that they have increased the prize money! First prize is now $8,000! Second is $4,000 and third is $2,000. There will be honorable mentions as well. This class is well positioned to win this competition as this course that you are taking is the most comprehensive one on architectural steel detailing in the world. And I am not kidding.

Learning Outcomes:

There are some clear things that you should be able to do or know by the end of this course.

1. Understand the workings of the CISC method of specifying AESS - the category and characteristics system.

2. Understand the critical role of detailing as it plays into the design, fabrication and erection of steel.

3. Understand the role of the architect in the process, particularly in the selection of detail and splice types as they factor into overall buildability and construction safety.

4. Be able to design a highly detailed architecturally exposed steel structure that is credible in its detailing, member selection and constructability.

Log-in to LEARN: here

Schedule of Classes: 2 to 5pm Wednesdays

Office Hours: TBA

Course Introduction

HIGH TECH ARCHITECTURE:
A detailed look at the roots of the birth of exposed steel in the British High Tech movement.   

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:
Construction of Stanstead Airport by Foster
Renault Distribution Centre by Foster

Start your weekly steel detail sketch. One due each week before the beginning of the class. Full page. Media of your choice. From life or from photo. Should present something interesting in terms of approach to connections. Image submitted to the LEARN Dropbox.

Course Intro PDF

High Tech PDF

Standard sketch of a detail from a photo.

ARCHITECTURALLY EXPOSED STRUCTURAL STEEL:
The development and details of the new system created by CISC to clarify the design, construction and fabrication of AESS systems. A discussion of finishes, fire and corrosion protection.

Standard sketch of a detail from a photo

AESS Basic PDF (formatting got messed up, sorry)

APPLICATIONS IN AESS:
A look in more detail at several Canadian buildings using the CISC method of Categories and Characteristics. Topics will also address finishes and corrosion protection as these impact the detailing of an exposed structure.

Standard sketch of a detail from a photo

Applications PDF

No class - Terri attending CTBUH Conference in London/Paris

AESS CONNECTION DETAILING:
Perhaps the most important aspect and largest design feature to be explored and exploited.

Standard sketch of a detail from a photo

Connections PDF

SPAN:
A look at different ways that we create long spans with structural systems. Types will include truss systems, spaceframes.

whistler platform construction video

Span PDF

The revision sketch assigned this week was to make this detail look "angry" or "deconstructivist"

Reading week - no class

CASTINGS:
Castings of the 21st century are very different than the elaborate castings of the 19th century. A look at the application of modern cast steel via several case studies. New! Additive manufacturing in steel.

CURVED STEEL:
Curved structures can be achieved via several means, all related to the scale of the building, budget and technical means available.

PDF of Castings

PDF of Curves

The revisin sketch was to make this look "angry", "decon" or "steampunk"

TENSILE STRUCTURES
An examination of a range of applications of tension systems for building structures, canopies, roofs and pedestrian bridges.

PDF of Tension Part 1

PDF of Tension Part 2

The revision sketch was simply to improve this.

STEEL AND TIMBER:
A look at the integration of steel and heavy timber systems.

PDF of Steel and Timber

PDF of Solid Wood (FYI)

Reimagine this connection in timber with steel connectors. Do the smaller image, the larger one is just for context.

DIAGRIDS:
A look at the methodology I created to assist in understanding and designing diagrid structures.

Link to presentation file (you find the recording on our Teams site, under General, files, recordings)

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES:
An overview of best practices in pedestrian bridge design.

Terri at CISC Conference in Calgary - recorded lectures: Pedestrian Bridges, Diagrids

Link to presentation file (you find the recording on our Teams site, under General, files, recordings)

Please submit a standard sketch for this week.

STEEL AND GLAZING AND LATTICE SYSTEMS:
An examination of some of the newer cable type glazing systems to see how these work with AESS systems. The tolerances in glazing systems are even tighter than for finely detailed AESS structures, and these systems are often used together.

info on ETFE, examples of fabric and ETFE systems

Redesign me suited to being the enclosure of a Prada store

PDF on steel and glazing

COMPLEXITY:
Some work I have been doing for my 4th book looking at ways to address complexity in steel design.

No notes or sketches required after this class. There are 10 sets of lecture notes required.

Ascent explained

Complexity PDF

Final Project Due to LEARN. 11:59pm

Reference Texts and other Materials:

These texts will be on reserve in Musagetes. We have at most 2 copies of each book so you are not to remove them from the library to your personal shelves for the term. They are all available on Amazon. If you were to purchase just one for the course, the AESS one would be the most directly related.

Understanding Steel Design: An Architectural Design Manual. by Terri Meyer Boake. Birkhauser 2012.

Diagrid Structures: Systems, Connections, Details. by Terri Meyer Boake. Birkhauser 2014.

Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel Design. by Terri Meyer Boake. Birkhauser 2015.

Complex Steel Structures: Non Orthogonal Geometries in Building with Steel. by Terri Meyer Boake. Birkhauser 2020.

Canadian Institute of Steel Construction Guide for Specifying AESS. by Terri Meyer Boake.
(download free PDF).

Here are some of my websites to assist with steel connection design:

Steel: Fun is in the Details
SSEF1/

Steel Image Gallery:
steel.html

AESS Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/aess4u

Look at resources in the industry:
Canadian Institute of Steel Construction: http://www.cisc-icca.ca/
American Institute of Steel Construction: http://www.aisc.org/

Evaluation:

The final term grade will consist of an average of submitted work as follows.

Late Penalties:
The weekly sketch and copies of your class notes are due prior to the subsequent week's class. Late submissions will be given a grade of zero. In theory they should be complete by the end of the class.

Late sketches will be awarded a grade of zero. You have a week in which to complete each sketch. Not keeping up with your work is problematic and leads to other issues.

For the Final Project late penalties of 5% per day will be applied, following the 24 hour grace period. After 5 days of lateness a grade of zero will be applied.

SKETCHBOOK: You are required to keep a sketchbook/notebook for this class. Graded on the basis of neatness and completeness.
10 lectures @ 3% per lecture = 30%

WEEKLY SKETCHES: 30%: 10 sketches @ 3% each.

CISC Competition:
Three board submission as per their requirements. 40%

Avoidance of Academic Offenses

Academic Integrity: To create and promote a culture of academic integrity, the behaviour of all members of the University of Waterloo is based on honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. [Check www.uwaterloo.ca/academicintegrity/for more information.]

AI Policy: Permitted in this Course with Attribution: In this course, students are not permitted to use Generative AI Tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney to support their work. In order to maintain academic integrity, students must disclose any AI-generated material they use and properly attribute it. This disclosure should include AI generation whether in whole or part, including  images, designs, in-text citations, quotations, and references.

The full extent of images and text passages should be cited. The following statement in assignments may be used to indicate general use of a Generative AI Tool: “The author(s) acknowledges the use of [Generative AI Tool Name], a model developed by [Generative AI Tool Provider], in the preparation of this assignment. The [Generative AI Tool Name] was used in the following way(s) in this assignment: [indicate, e.g. grammatical correction, gathering sources, generating specific images, etc.].”

Caution: When using AI tools, it is important to be aware that the user data supplied might be utilized for training AI models or other purposes. Consequently, there is no guarantee that the information you provide will remain confidential. Instructors and students should exercise caution and avoid sharing any sensitive or private information when using these tools. Examples of such information include personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), financial data, intellectual property (IP), and any other data that might be legally protected.

Grievance:  A student who believes that a decision affecting some aspect of his/her university life has been unfair or unreasonable may have grounds for initiating a grievance. Read Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances, Section 4, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy70.htm

Discipline: A student is expected to know what constitutes academic integrity, to avoid committing academic offenses, and to take responsibility for his/her actions. A student who is unsure whether an action constitutes an offense, or who needs help in learning how to avoid offenses (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) or about “rules” for group work/collaboration should seek guidance from the course professor, academic advisor, or the Undergraduate Associate Dean. When misconduct has been found to have occurred, disciplinary penalties will be imposed under Policy 71 – Student Discipline. For information on categories of offenses and types of penalties, students should refer to Policy 71 - Student Discipline, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy71.htm

Appeals: A student may appeal the finding and/or penalty in a decision made under Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances (other than regarding a petition) or Policy 71 - Student Discipline if a ground for an appeal can be established. Read Policy 72 - Student Appeals, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy72.htm

Note for students with disabilities: YOU MUST VERIFY YOUR DISABLITY AND ACCOMMODATIONS WITH THE OPD AT THE START OF THE TERM. FOR EACH AND EVERY NEED FOR ACCOMMODATION, THEY MUST CONTACT ME TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS OR ELSE LATE PENALITIES WILL BE APPLIED. The Office for Persons with Disabilities (OPD), located in Needles Hall, Room 1132, collaborates with all academic departments to arrange appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities without compromising the academic integrity of the curriculum. If you require academic accommodations to lessen the impact of your disability, please register with the OPD at the beginning of each academic term. Once registered with OPD, please meet with me in confidence during my office hours to discuss your needs.