Examines the relationship between individual building design and the broader urban planning, zoning, and design contexts in which it sits.
About this course
This course looks at the relationship between building design and the broader urban planning and context. You will explore how individual structures fit into the larger city, examining the connections between architecture, infrastructure, and public spaces. The focus is on understanding the site not just as a plot of land, but as part of a living urban environment.
You will study how zoning bylaws, official plans, and municipal policies influence building form and placement. Through case studies and design exercises, you will learn to read the urban fabric and identify opportunities for design that respond to local character and planning goals.
Who takes this course
This course is an elective available to students in the Architectural Technology program. It is designed for students in their third year who are ready to expand their thinking beyond the building site and consider the wider urban context.
Credits: 3 · Hours: 45
Prerequisites
None
Learning outcomes
- Analyze existing urban fabric and identify key design drivers.
- Evaluate how zoning bylaws and official plans shape building form.
- Apply urban design principles to site planning and massing studies.
- Assess the impact of infrastructure and public realm on building placement.
- Produce design diagrams that integrate site and city scale strategies.
Evaluation
| Component | Weight (%) |
| Mid-term site analysis report | 25 |
| Massing and context design studio project | 45 |
| Final presentation and critique | 30 |