Architecture Drafting 1

On Monday, November 20th, Mr. Shuber’s Architecture Drafting class went to Falling Water to learn more about architecture at the house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935. The Architecture Drafting class is an elective class at the high school taught by Mr. Shuber, an engineering teacher at Norwin.

Architecture Drafting 1 is a full-year course at the high school. Even though it does not have a weight that increases student’s GPAs, the class is open for everyone and does not have any prerequisites. In the class, students learn the basics of architecture, including house structure, floor plans, and elevations. At the end of the course, students will design and draw out various architectural plans for a home design.

Along with learning about the general history of architecture, the class is currently working on designing houses through the software ‘Revit,’ a building information modeling software for architects to build various structures. Recently the students in the architecture class at the high school have been experimenting with different software utilities in order to learn more a bout architecture in general.

“In our architecture class we focus on residential design,” Shuber said. “We are currently designing a two-story residential home. We design using REVIT design software where we prepare construction drawing document sets.”

Along with designing builds using computer software, the club also actively explores the history behind architecture. Recently, the club got the chance to go to Fallingwater, a famous architectural build in Pennsylvania.

“Part of the Architecture course is to study famous architects and building that they designed,” Shuber said. “Fallingwater happens to be a popular subject because of its proximity to our region. It is located in the Laurel Highlands and is a famous architectural landmark. We were grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the ‘Wright in your Backyard’ program.”

Junior Ameer Elatrache is a student at the high school that is currently enrolled in Mr. Shuber’s Architecture Class.

“My favorite part about the class is putting my knowledge and interest of designing into building a home,” Elatrache said. “I’m a very hands-on person and have always been interested in building, designing, and learning about the whole idea of architecture.”

The architecture class also prepares Norwin students for a degree in agriculture in the future. The class offers many real-world skills and opportunities to explore both inside and outside the classroom.

“I plan on attending college in the future to pursue a degree in Architecture,” Elatrache said. “I think it’s very nice that Norwin offers a course such as this because it allows for me to work with my skills and interests to get to where I want in the future.”

Recently, on Nov. 20th, the Architecture class went to Fallingwater, a house designed in 1935 by renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright as a private residence in Pennsylvania.

Along with designing builds using computer software, the club also actively explores the history behind architecture. Recently, the club got the chance to go to Fallingwater, a famous architectural build in Pennsylvania.

“Part of the Architecture course is to study famous architects and building that they designed,” Shuber said. “Fallingwater happens to be a popular subject because of its proximity to our region. It is located in the Laurel Highlands and is a famous architectural landmark. We were grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the ‘Wright in your Backyard’ program.”

Many Norwin students were excited to explore a famous build nearby our school and hometown.

“We were excited to attend a place that will help us learn more about architecture and become more interested in the architectural field,” Elatrache said.

Now that the club visited Fallingwater for a full school day in order to learn more about architecture and its history, the students walked away with a lot more knowledge about the architectural field than beforehand.

“The trip to Fallingwater was a lot of fun! Everyone that went on it had fun learning more about architecture in person,” said Elatrache. “It was an amazing experience and great to see that a beautiful piece of work was created back in 1935.”

Fallingwater is known to be the epitome of organic architecture and it is only an hour drive from the school.

“There were many intricate details that put the whole place together,” said Elatrache.

Gallery • 9 Photos

Ameer Elatrache