COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: BUILDING MATERIALS

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 261	B	3	3	0	0	3	4

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	NA
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Dr. Anila Xhahysa axhahysa@epoka.edu.al , NA
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Integrated second cycle study program in Architecture (5 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time:	A 127
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:	Yes
Course Description:	Need of building materials, definition and development, general qualifications, timber, natural stone, metals and alloys, soil and clay (ceramic materials), glass, lime, plaster, cement, aggregate, mixtures mortar and concrete), synthetics, paintings.
Course Objectives:	The objective of a building materials course for architects is to provide a foundational understanding of materials' properties, applications, and impacts on design, performance, and sustainability. Students will learn to identify and evaluate materials like wood, steel, and concrete, and understand how their characteristics influence a building's aesthetics, structural integrity, durability, and environmental footprint. The course aims to enable architects to make informed decisions that align with building codes, project goals, and user experience.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	Mechanical Properties: How a material responds to stress, including strength (resistance to forces), ductility (ability to deform without breaking), brittleness, stiffness, and toughness.
2	Physical Properties: Characteristics like density, water absorption, porosity, and thermal conductivity.
3	Chemical Properties: Properties such as corrosion resistance, acidity, and alkalinity.
4	Aesthetic Properties: Qualities related to appearance, such as color, texture, pattern, and finish.
5	Origin: Natural materials (wood, stone) or synthetic materials (steel, concrete).
6	Function: Structural components, insulation, finishes, or specialized applications.
7	Durability & Longevity: A material's ability to withstand wear and tear over time.
8	Sustainability & Environmental Impact: The ecological footprint of material production and use.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Bricks and brickwork – (Clay bricks / Unfired clay bricks / Reclaimed clay bricks / Brickwork / Calcium silicate bricks / Concrete bricks ), pg. [1-35] Blocks and blockwork - Concrete blocks - Clay blocks - Gypsum blocks - Blockwork -Beam and block flooring - Landscape blockwork , pg. [37-52]
2	Lime, cement and concrete - Lime / Cement / Concrete / Reinforced concrete / Visual concrete / Concrete components , pg. [55-98]
3	Timber and timber products - Timber - Timber products - Recycling timber , pg. [105-155]
4	Ferrous and non-ferrous metals - Ferrous metals - Ferrous alloys - Coated steels - Aluminium - Copper - Lead - Zinc - Titanium - Process of metallic corrosion , pg. [164-208]
5	Bitumen and flat roofing materials - Cold-deck, warm-deck and inverted roofs - Reinforced bitumen membranes - Mastic asphalt - Single-ply roofing systems -Liquid coatings - Green roofs , pg. [216-227]
6	Glass - Manufacture - Non-sheet products - Sheet products - Intelligent glass facades - Glass supporting systems - Glazing checklist , pg. [231-261]
7	Midterm exam
8	Ceramic materials - Ceramic products, pg. [266-275] Stone and cast stone - Types of stone - Stonework - Deterioration of stone -Maintenance of stonework - Cast stone , pg. [278-297]
9	Plastics - Polymerisation - Polymer types - Additives - Degradation of plastics - Properties of plastics - Plastics forming processes - Plastics in construction - Recycling of plastics , pg. [301-317] Glass-fibre reinforced plastics - Cement and gypsum - Glass fibres - Glass-fibre reinforced plastics - Glass-fibre reinforced cement - Glass-fibre reinforced gypsum , pg. [323-331]
10	Plaster and board materials - Gypsum plaster - Lime plaster - Calcium silicate boards , pg. [333-339] Insulation materials - Thermal and sound insulation materials - Inorganic insulation materials - Organic insulation materials - Aluminium foil - Chlorofluorocarbons in foamed plastics , pg. [342-353] Sealants, gaskets and adhesives – Sealants - Gaskets - Adhesives , pg. [359-369]
11	Paints, wood stains, varnishes and colour – Colour - Paints - Special paints - Natural wood finishes , pg. [373-383] Energy-saving materials and components - Photovoltaics - Solar collectors - Solar air heating systems - Light pipes - Heat pump systems - Groundwater cooling systems - Wind catchers - Wind turbine systems - Water management systems - Phase change systems , pg. [385-393]
12	Recycled and ecological materials - Straw bales - Cardboard - Rammed-earth and cob construction - Earth-sheltered buildings - Clay products - Recycled tyres - Papercrete - Sandbags , pg. [396-402] Sustainability - Zero carbon targets - Specification of materials - Recycling and deconstruction , pg. [404-409]
13	Laboratory Tour
14	Final Exam

Prerequisite(s):	Material Science
Textbook(s):	Materials for Architects and Builders by Arthur Lyons,
Additional Literature:
Laboratory Work:	NA
Computer Usage:	NA
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Material Properties: Students will gain knowledge of the physical and chemical characteristics of various building materials.
2	Material Behavior: Students will learn how materials behave under different conditions, including stress, moisture, and temperature, and how this affects their durability and longevity.
3	Material Types: Students will be familiar with a wide range of conventional and contemporary building materials, their production methods, and their common uses in construction.
4	Material Selection: Students will be able to identify and evaluate factors such as cost, availability, durability, maintenance, sustainability, and aesthetic qualities to select appropriate materials for architectural designs.
5	Integration into Design: Students will understand how to integrate material choices into the overall design process, ensuring that materials support structural, functional, and aesthetic requirements.
6	Sustainability: Students will be able to make responsible decisions regarding material choices, considering environmental impacts, health, safety, and climate change implications.

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Integrated second cycle study program in Architecture (5 years) Program
1	Speaking and Writing Skills Ability to read, write, listen, and speak effectively	5
2	Critical Thinking Skills Ability to raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test them against relevant criteria and standards	5
3	Graphics Skills Ability to use appropriate representational media, including freehand drawing and computer technology, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process	5
4	Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work	5
5	Formal Ordering Systems Understanding of the fundamentals of visual perception and the principles and systems of order that inform two- and three-dimensional design, architectural composition, and urban design	5
6	Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites	5
7	Collaborative Skills Ability to recognize the varied talent found in interdisciplinary design project teams in professional practice and work in collaboration with other students as members of a design team	5
8	International Traditions Understanding of the International architectural canons and traditions in architecture, landscape and urban design, as well as the climatic, technological, culture-economic, and other cultural factors that have shaped and sustained them	5
9	National and Regional Traditions Understanding of national traditions and the local regional heritage in architecture, landscape design and urban design, including the vernacular tradition	5
10	Use of Precedents Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects	5
11	Conservation and Restoration of Historical Districts Knowledge on historical districts and the gain of conservation consciousness documentation of historical buildings and the understanding the techniques which are needed to prepare restoration projects.	5
12	Human Behavior Understanding of the theories and methods of inquiry that seek to clarify the relationship between human behavior and the physical environment	5
13	Human Diversity Understanding of the diverse needs, values, behavioral norms, physical ability, and social and spatial patterns that characterize different cultures and individuals and the implication of this diversity for the societal roles and responsibilities of architects	5

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)	1	20
Presentation	1	10
Quiz	4	5
Case Study	1	10
Final Exam	1	30
Attendance		10
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	3	48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	14	1	14
Mid-terms	1	18	18
Assignments	1	2	2
Final examination	1	18	18
Other			0
Total Work Load:			100
Total Work Load/25(h):			4
ECTS Credit of the Course:			4

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

NA