Turn your passion for buildings and design into a rewarding technical career. This certificate provides comprehensive training in architectural design, construction documentation, and building technology, combining software skills with real architectural knowledge so you can contribute to design projects from day one. BC’s architecture and building sector is booming, and technically skilled design technicians are in high demand.
CredentialCertificate
Duration35 Weeks with Practicum or 31 Weeks without Practicum
Practicum4-Week Practicum (150 hours)
Schedule20 hours/week, Monday – Friday, daytime and evening classes
DeliveryIn-Class, Online (Synchronous)*, or Combined
Brighton College was a great learning experience and helped my knowledge in this field greatly. I liked how helpful the teachers and staff members were. The flexibility was also very important to me.
– Prabhjot Sidhu, Architectural Design and Building TechnicianLearn how this program develops practical skills in structural analysis, building systems, steel, concrete and wood design, Revit, estimating, and technical documentation.
The Architectural Design and Building Technician Certificate provides students with a thorough foundation in architectural design principles, technical drawing, and building technology used by architecture firms, design studios, and construction organizations across BC. The program bridges design theory with practical technical skills, giving graduates the ability to contribute meaningfully to architectural projects at multiple stages of the design and documentation process.
Students develop proficiency in industry-standard design software — including AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp — while building knowledge in architectural drawing conventions, building systems, construction materials, site planning, and building code fundamentals. The curriculum emphasizes the production of accurate, professional construction documents through hands-on project work that reflects real architectural practice.
Building technology and construction systems are integrated throughout the program, ensuring students understand not just how to draw buildings, but how they are assembled and why design decisions matter. Students who choose the practicum option gain direct experience within an architectural or design firm, reinforcing their technical skills with professional mentorship and portfolio-building opportunities.
Graduates are well-positioned to enter the workforce as architectural technicians, building design technicians, or drafting assistants with architecture firms, engineering and design consultancies, construction companies, and government building departments throughout the Lower Mainland and beyond.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in computer and mathematic fundamentals for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in autocad fundamentals for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in autocad advanced for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in building code for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in technical communications for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in building piping services for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in revit architecture for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in construction estimating 1 for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in building structures for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in autocad for interior design for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in building construction inspection and management for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in electrical systems for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in building science and construction for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in architectural planning and design for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in sketchup for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in portfolio development for architectural and building-design environments.
This course develops practical knowledge and applied skills in practicum for architectural and building-design environments.
Refer to Language Proficiency Policy for details.
*Mature Student is defined as an individual who is 19 years of age or older at the start of the program.
*Under no circumstances can these Admission Requirements be waived.
Data sourced from WorkBC.
Career-path occupations generally require additional industry experience, employer training, certification, professional registration or further education. Completion of this program does not by itself confer a professional licence or protected occupational designation.