CAD Capstone
Develop a comprehensive CAD model for a real-world project, applying core CAD design principles and project management skills. Use a structured approach to research, conceptualize, and draft the model, ensuring it aligns with the building’s technical requirements and design goals. Your final deliverables will showcase your understanding of CAD drafting, design accuracy, and efficiency in building system modeling. Compile a detailed presentation that highlights your project process, the software tools used, and your completed work for inclusion in your portfolio.
Learn more about theCAD Certificate Program capstone project deliverables.
Rommel's Residential Construction Project
Student Project: Rommel B.
Rommel's CAD capstone project involves the creation of a comprehensive 2D and 3D model for a real-world residential construction project. Using AutoCAD, Rommel is tasked with developing detailed floor plans, elevations, and construction documentation, with a specific focus on designing a new residence. The goal of this project is to apply core CAD principles to produce precise architectural and structural designs that are fully aligned with the project requirements.
Concepts Covered:
- Site Plan Development: Creation of a detailed site plan that outlines the building's location, surrounding landscape, driveway, and parking areas. The plan will consider zoning regulations and ensure proper land use optimization.
- Floor Plan and Spatial Layout: Design of the building’s interior spaces, including rooms, walls, doors, and windows. Rommel will develop precise floor plans that reflect the function and flow of the space.
- Building Elevations: Drawing exterior views of the building, including front, rear, and side elevations. This will demonstrate Rommel's ability to represent vertical aspects of the design, focusing on aesthetic and structural elements like rooflines, windows, and doors.
- Construction Detailing: Development of detailed construction drawings that provide specific information on materials, wall systems, roof design, and foundation. These drawings ensure clarity for the construction team to follow.
- 3D Modeling and Visualization: Use of AutoCAD’s 3D tools to generate a three-dimensional model of the building, providing a realistic visualization of the design. Rommel will include elements such as roof slopes, exterior finishes, and structural components.
- Building System Integration: Coordination of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems within the CAD model, ensuring that all building systems are aligned with the overall design and structure.
- Drafting Standards and Accuracy: Application of industry-standard drafting techniques and accuracy in Rommel's CAD drawings, ensuring proper symbol usage, dimensioning, and layout.
- Project Management and Revisions: Rommel will manage the scope of the project, ensuring all design revisions are handled in a timely manner while keeping the project on schedule.
- Professional Presentation: Creation of a polished presentation of the final CAD project, including a project summary, process documentation, key design decisions, and a portfolio of completed CAD drawings and 3D renderings.
Alyssa Penardi: Residential Building
Student Project: Alyssa P.
In this capstone project, Alyssa applied advanced CAD skills to design a comprehensive residential building plan. Her project focused on creating accurate and detailed architectural floor plans for a home, including various essential components such as living spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, and mechanical areas. Alyssa used Autodesk Revit to model the building’s structure, ensuring alignment with both functional and aesthetic requirements. View Alyssa's full capstone project!
Concepts Covered:
- Architectural Floor Plans: Detailed floor plans were created for each level of the residential building, ensuring accurate measurements and spatial arrangements for optimal functionality.
- Room Schedules & Area Calculation: Room schedules were provided with size and function details for each space, along with area calculations.
- Building Systems Integration: Various building systems, including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, were integrated and accurately represented in the models.
- Section Drawings: Detailed sectional views were generated to highlight vertical relationships between building elements and spaces.
- 3D Modeling & Visualization: 3D models were produced, enabling visualization of the final structure from multiple perspectives.
- Building Code Compliance: Designs were ensured to meet relevant building codes and regulations, including structural integrity and accessibility.
- Final Submission & Documentation: The entire design process was documented, from the initial concept to the final model, showcasing the CAD techniques and architectural planning used.
Brian Mills: Two-Story Garage and Apartment Design
Student Project: Brian M.
Brian's CAD capstone project focuses on designing a two-story garage with an attached 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment. The design utilizes CAD software to develop architectural plans, including floor plans, roof layouts, and elevations. The project emphasizes the application of CAD tools for precise building and structural modeling. Key tasks include the integration of the garage and apartment into an existing site, with attention to utility and space planning.
Concepts Covered:
- Architectural Site Planning: Developing a site plan with setbacks, easements, and landscape integration.
- Floor Plan Development: Detailed creation of the first and second-floor plans, including space allocation and structural elements.
- Structural Design: Designing exterior walls, framing, and detailed floor system layouts.
- Roof Plan Design: Integration of roofing elements such as dormers, skylights, and solar panels, ensuring both functionality and aesthetics.
- Building Elevations: Creating front and rear building elevations with a focus on visual design elements like siding, trim, windows, and doors.
- Mechanical and Utility Systems: Planning for mechanical systems such as HVAC, water heating, and kitchen/utility appliance installations.
- CAD Documentation: Creating professional construction documents and detailed drawings for presentation and construction purposes.
- Project Coordination: Ensuring the design adheres to structural integrity, code requirements, and client specifications.
Charles Froedge: Residential Remodeling Design
Student Project: Charles F.
This capstone project focuses on the design and documentation of a residential remodeling project. The scope covers a comprehensive set of architectural plans for a home renovation, including floor plans, elevations, and detailed construction notes. This project emphasizes the application of various design elements, materials, and construction techniques to achieve a functional and aesthetic living space.
Concepts Covered:
- Floor Plan Design: Detailed layout including rooms like bedrooms, family rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms with precise measurements and space utilization.
- Elevations: Front and left elevations showcasing the exterior design, including materials like brick veneer, vinyl trim, and aluminum windows.
- Construction Materials and Methods: Specific materials such as fiberglass roofing shingles, vinyl fascia, and aluminum gutters, highlighting fire safety and durability.
- Utility Integration: Electrical and mechanical plans detailing the setup for appliances, wiring, and HVAC systems.
- Structural Detailing: Reinforced foundation walls with specified rebar placements and proper drainage systems.
- Interior Features: Design elements like cabinetry, pantry, and utility spaces integrated into the home for functional living.
Erin Parker: United Oil Convenience Store Design
Student Project: Erin P.
Erin's capstone project focused on designing the United Oil convenience store located at 2305 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, California. The project involved the creation of a complete architectural design using CAD/BIM tools, ensuring that both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the store were carefully planned and executed. The design incorporated a clean, modern look with elements inspired by the California surf culture, including a wave-shaped roof, surfboard-inspired signage, and unique interior and exterior textures.
Concepts Covered:
- Site Analysis and Conceptualization: Developing a design based on the unique location and requirements, with a focus on creating an inviting and functional convenience store.
- Exterior Design: Incorporating a plaster facade with a sand-like texture, a wave-inspired roof, and a surfboard-shaped sign, using CAD tools to create accurate elevations and renderings.
- Interior Design and Layout: Creating a functional and aesthetic layout for the interior, including the beverage counter, cashier area, and sales floor, while using CAD/BIM to visualize space allocation and material placement.
- Material Selection and Specification: Using CAD/BIM software to document material choices, such as Armstrong flooring, Sherwin Williams paint, and custom plaster textures for the exterior.
- Lighting Design: Designing customized lighting solutions with CAD/BIM tools, including pendant lights above the cashier and beverage counters to enhance the store's atmosphere.
- 3D Modeling and Visualization: Generating realistic 3D renderings of both the exterior and interior of the store to showcase design elements and spatial relationships.
- Presentation and Portfolio Development: Compiling a professional design presentation that documents the process, software used, and final project, ready to be included in Erin’s portfolio.
Michelle Kennedy: Residential Project Design
Student Project: Michelle K.
Michelle Kennedy's capstone project focuses on the development of a fully integrated architectural model using Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools, specifically using Autodesk Revit. The project showcases a real-world residential construction, where Michelle applies core design principles to generate and manage building plans, elevations, sections, and system integrations. The goal is to demonstrate proficiency in BIM and CAD tools, creating an accurate, efficient, and visually comprehensive model that aligns with both technical and aesthetic standards in construction.
Concepts Covered:
- Project Overview: Development of a complete architectural design, including floor plans, sections, and elevations using Revit.
- Building Information Modeling (BIM): Application of BIM tools to model, visualize, and analyze the building structure.
- Design Principles: Incorporation of architectural drafting and design standards into the BIM model.
- Site and Floor Plans: Creation of site plans and detailed floor layouts, including spatial relationships and building elements.
- Building Elevations and Sections: Generation of building elevations and sections that reflect both architectural and structural details.
- Revit Workflow: Use of Revit's integrated features for collaborative workflows, including detailed rendering and system modeling.
- Final Deliverables: Presentation of the project as a comprehensive CAD/BIM portfolio, including all design stages from concept to final model.