Building Design, CAD & Interior Design

Architectural Practices and Interior Designis an applied Level 5 course that brings together the technical, creative and functional aspects of designing buildings and interior spaces. Learners consider how site conditions, climate, building regulations, aesthetics and user needs influence design decisions, and apply these principles to residential and small commercial projects.

This course brings architectural design and interior design together in one practical learning experience. Learners progress from architectural principles, site selection, building orientation and regulatory considerations into residential and public/commercial design and working drawings, including plans, elevations and sections. The course extends into landscaping, interior design, anthropometrics, materials and finishes, furniture layouts and space planning, with CAD integrated into the development and presentation of design work.

CPI enhances delivery through applied CAD design and drafting, residential and small commercial building projects, local building and regulatory context, and portfolio development.

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What Learners Will Do

• Apply architectural design principles to residential and public/commercial building projects
• Evaluate site conditions, climate, sun control, orientation and environmental factors affecting building design
• Apply relevant building laws, regulations and approval requirements to design decisions
• Balance function, utility, proportion, composition and aesthetics in architectural design
• Develop and interpret plans, elevations and sections as architectural working drawings
• Use CAD-supported methods to communicate building design accurately and professionally
• Plan residential spaces around privacy, circulation, accessibility, adaptability and user needs
• Analyse the requirements of public and small commercial buildings
• Integrate soft and hard landscaping with building and site design
• Apply the elements and principles of interior design, including form, texture, light, colour and space
• Use anthropometric information to plan furniture, movement and circulation
• Select interior materials, finishes, flooring, ceilings, partitions and paints for appropriate applications
• Create residential interior plans and elevations with furniture layouts
• Plan interiors for small commercial spaces such as offices, consulting rooms and retail units

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Content

Architectural Design Fundamentals

• Principles and evolution of architectural design
• Architectural styles, design philosophies and contemporary trends
• Relationship between form, function and aesthetics
• Environmental, social and cultural considerations in architectural design

Site Selection, Climate & Building Orientation

• Factors influencing site selection and site planning
• Climatic conditions and their effect on building design and material choices
• Sun control, natural lighting, heat gain and glare
• Building orientation for comfort, ventilation and energy efficiency
• Solar angles, wind direction, landscape and environmental response
• Application of these principles to tropical and Caribbean building conditions

Building Laws, Regulations & Approval Requirements

• Purpose and application of building laws and regulations
• Safety, functionality and sustainability requirements
• Building-plan submission and approval processes
• Interaction with planning and regulatory authorities
• Application of local building requirements to residential and commercial design scenarios

Building Aesthetics & Design Composition

• Aesthetics, utility and functional design
• Composition, proportion, scale, rhythm, balance and contrast
• Visual character and user experience
• Creativity and innovation in building design
• Evaluation of architectural case studies

Residential Building Design

• Site, layout and spatial organisation
• Functional, aesthetic and environmental design considerations
• Privacy, circulation, accessibility and adaptability
• Materials and construction techniques
• Sustainability in residential buildings
• Concept development from initial brief to developed design

Public & Small Commercial Building Design

• Functional planning for public and commercial buildings
• User circulation, accessibility, safety and zoning
• Environmental and sustainability considerations
• Technology integration in commercial buildings
• Application of codes, regulations and industry standards

CAD Drafting, Building Plans & Working Drawings

• Role and purpose of building plans and working drawings in design and construction
• CAD drafting for residential and small commercial building projects
• Development and interpretation of floor plans, elevations and sections
• Drawing scales, dimensions, annotations and design communication
• Representation of building elements, floor-to-ceiling heights, structural relationships and services
• Preparation and presentation of accurate, coordinated architectural working drawings

Landscape Design

• Soft and hard landscaping principles
• Site and land assessment
• Plant selection, soil, drainage and water management
• Paths, seating, access and external amenities
• Scale, proportion, function and aesthetics in landscape layouts
• Sustainable landscaping and environmental performance

Interior Design Principles

• Form, line, texture, light, colour and space
• Space planning, patterns, balance and visual cohesion
• Natural and artificial lighting
• Colour theory, colour schemes and psychological effects
• Relationship between lighting, colour, texture and spatial perception

Anthropometrics, Furniture & Circulation

• Human measurements and ergonomic design
• Furniture dimensions, posture, comfort and accessibility
• Doorways, hallways, pathways and movement requirements
• Furniture arrangements and efficient circulation
• Design for different users and functional requirements

Interior Materials & Finishes

• Panelling, partitions and surface finishes
• Furniture materials and selection criteria
• False ceilings and their functional and aesthetic uses
• Flooring materials, durability, maintenance and performance
• Paints, coatings, finishes and sustainable alternatives
• Material selection based on environment, budget, function and design intent

Residential Interior Planning

• Effective use of residential space
• Circulation and furniture arrangement
• Planning bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms and dining areas
• Residential floor plans with furniture placement
• Interior elevations and detailed spatial presentation
• Storage, seating and work-area requirements

Small Commercial Interior Planning

• Interior layouts for offices, consulting rooms and retail spaces
• Workflow, privacy, customer interaction and storage
• Circulation between workstations, public areas and support spaces
• Ergonomics, accessibility and flexibility
• Furniture planning for small commercial environments

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Practical Component: Building Design & Interior Portfolio

Practical work is integrated throughout the course. Learners apply the unit content to building and interior-design scenarios and develop a portfolio that demonstrates progression from design concept to documented architectural and interior solutions.

• Analyse the Site: Assess site conditions, climate, orientation, access and regulatory considerations
• Develop the Building Concept: Translate a client or project brief into functional residential or small commercial design proposals
• Prepare Working Drawings: Produce CAD-supported plans, elevations and sections with appropriate dimensions and annotations
• Plan the Interior: Develop furniture layouts, circulation routes, material selections, colour concepts and interior elevations
• Integrate the External Environment: Incorporate soft and hard landscaping appropriate to the site and building
• Present the Design: Compile drawings and design information into a coherent portfolio suitable for technical and client presentation

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Entry Requirements

Applicants should normally have prior technical study or relevant experience in construction, drafting, building technology, architecture, interior design, civil engineering or a related field, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and aptitude.

Learners should be comfortable with interpreting technical information and should have access to a computer capable of running the CAD or design software used during the course.

Teaching and Learning Approach

The course uses an applied, project-based and blended learning model that combines guided instruction, architectural and interior design demonstrations, case studies, CAD-supported drawing activities, design critiques, collaborative problem-solving and independent portfolio development. CPI enhances this delivery through applied CAD design and drafting, residential and small commercial building projects, integration of local building and regulatory context, and portfolio development. Together, these elements ensure learners gain practical experience while meeting the required Level 5 outcomes.

Who Should Enrol

• Building and construction technicians seeking to expand their design skills
• Draftsmen/draughtsmen seeking to strengthen their skills in CAD drafting, architectural design, building design, landscape design and interior design
• Persons working with residential and small commercial building plans, working drawings and construction documentation
• Persons interested in developing practical skills in building design, CAD drafting and the preparation of residential and small commercial building plans
• Interior design and space-planning practitioners seeking to broaden their knowledge of building and architectural design
• Construction supervisors and building-services personnel seeking greater knowledge of building design, drawings and spatial planning
• Persons seeking practical skills in residential and small commercial building design, interior design and landscape design
• Civil engineering learners taking the unit individually or as part of their progression towards the full engineering programme

Progression and Career Relevance

The course supports technical and creative development in building design, architectural drafting, CAD, residential and small commercial design, interior space planning, landscape coordination and construction documentation. Learners who later pursue the full Civil Engineering programme may study this unit within the wider engineering context, subject to the applicable qualification and recognition requirements.

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