Micro-Structure Design Technology

The Microstructure Design Technology program blends design, building and technology to empower students to make small, environmentally sustainable structures for needed housing or other uses.    Students will get an introduction to steel fabrication and photovoltaic technologies, and utilize high technology such as the FrameCad steel framing extruder.  Course work includes design, drawing/visualization, building, and PV (solar) panel skills so to enable students to quickly explore and implement innovative design solutions for microstructures or all kinds, including tiny houses.   The program will also provide professional growth to expand the skills of incumbent workers in the design/build field, and can provide basic design/build skills for individuals who wish to engage in the development and building of affordable housing or emergency shelters. 

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This program will prepare students with introductory, basic level  skills to design, plan, build and produce solar power for a small structures such as "tiny houses. " The program is intended to provide professional growth to expand the skills of incumbent workers in the design/build field, and can equip students with the skills they need to to engage in the development and building of affordable housing or emergency shelters. 

Successful completion of eight (8) units of course work as set forth below:

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
First Semester
ARCH A104	Intro to Frame CAD Steel Framing	1.0	S1
ARCHA105	Architectural Drawing and Design Visualization	2.0	S!
ARCH A106	Accessory Dwelling Unit Design	1.0	S1
	Subtotal	4.0
Second Semester
ARCH A107	Tiny House Design	1.0	S2
ARCH A201  or  ARCH A201H	Design/Build 1 for Architecture OR Design/Build 1 for Architecture - Honors	2.0	S2
ARCHA108 or CNST A108	Solar Panels for Small Projects  OR Solar Panels for Small Projects	1.0	S2
	Subtotal	4.0
	Total Units for Certificate	8.0

This program augments existing broadbased programs in Architectural Technology, adding a specialty skill set in designing and producing micro-structures such as "tiny houses."

This program is unique to Orange Coast College because it includes training and use of the FrameCAD steel framing production extruder, which does not exist at any other college or training facility in the state.

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