# Introduction to Site Surveying Course Online (Coming Soon) Canonical URL: ## Overview This course introduces students to the principles and practices of interior site surveying using entirely analog, field-based methods. Working with professional grade tools and engineering graph paper, students will learn how to capture precise spatial data from real interior environments and translate that information into accurate, dimensioned field sketches. From preliminary reconnaissance surveys to fully annotated as-built records, the course builds a progressive set of skills rooted in accuracy, professional standards, and hands-on fieldwork. Through a sequence of cumulative assignments, students develop their ability to demarcate room boundaries, establish a consistent Point of Beginning, and layer increasingly detailed dimensional data across multiple survey passes. The course culminates in a final survey that incorporates all learned techniques, including vertical control and refined fenestration data, producing a materially accurate field record that meets professional documentation standards. ## What you'll learn - Identify and properly use professional analog surveying tools to capture precise spatial data in the field - Trace the mechanical evolution of surveying instruments and explain how that history informs current field standards - Execute a reconnaissance survey to quickly secure primary dimensions and structural pinch points under time or access constraints - Annotate field sketches with the technical specificity needed for a CAD technician to reconstruct an interior space without additional site visits - Produce a definitive as-built field record that integrates a fixed Point of Beginning and comprehensive vertical data - Apply quality assurance protocols to validate survey accuracy, identify mathematical discrepancies, and verify non-orthogonal geometries - Build and deliver a complete, materially accurate survey that incorporates all learned techniques including vertical control and refined fenestration data ## Curriculum #### Unit 1: Review of the Tools - This unit provides a technical overview of the manual instrumentation required to perform high-precision interior field surveys. - Each tool is selected for its specific utility in translating physical spaces into accurate 2D representations on paper. #### Unit 2: History of the Tools - This unit examines the mechanical evolution and standardization of surveying instruments. - Understanding the transition from rudimentary physical benchmarks to modern precision manual tools provides the technical context for current measurement tolerances and professional field standards. #### Unit 3: Preliminary Survey - This unit defines the Reconnaissance Survey protocol, a high-speed data acquisition method used to capture essential spatial envelopes when time or site access is severely restricted. - The objective is to secure primary dimensions and structural pinch points without the exhaustive detail of a full as-built survey. #### Unit 4: Refined Room Notations - This unit establishes the professional standard for annotating a more complete field sketch. - The objective is to ensure that the raw dimensional data collected is communicated with close to enough technical specificity to allow a skilled CAD technician to reconstruct the interior volume and generally understand the space without further site visits. #### Unit 5: A Proper Room Survey - This unit establishes the professional standard for producing a definitive As-Built field record. - Unlike preliminary sketches, this polished room survey integrates a fixed Point of Beginning (P.O.B.) and comprehensive vertical data, including viewable ceiling drops and plenum transitions, providing the specificity required for drafting by any CAD technician. #### Unit 6: Quality Assurance & Control - This unit establishes the rigorous auditing protocols required to validate the accuracy of a field survey before it is finalized for digital entry. - The primary objective is to identify mathematical discrepancies, verify non-orthogonal (non-90-degree) geometries, and ensure that the documented data reflects actual physical constraints of the site. ## Instructors ### John O’Malley — Instructor John O’Malley is a Registered Architect based in San Diego with over a decade of experience delivering projects across many different sectors. He leads multidisciplinary teams through all phases of design and construction. Known for his technical expertise and leadership in project delivery, John holds a California architecture license, is LEED AP BD+C certified, and is an Autodesk Certified Instructor. He is also dedicated to supporting future design professionals through his volunteer work with the ACE Mentor Program. **Credentials:** - Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI SILVER – Certified \> 5 Years) - Autodesk Certified AutoCAD Professional - Autodesk Certified Revit Professional - AutoCAD ### David Sellers — Instructor David, the Chief Academic Officer, has a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Penn State University and an MBA from Point Loma Nazarene University. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects. He has been teaching Autodesk programs for over 10 years and enjoys working and teaching in the architectural industry. In addition to working with the Autodesk suite, he has significant experience in 3D modeling, the Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam Revu, and SketchUp. David enjoys spending his free time with his wife, biking, hanging out with his kids, and listening to audiobooks by the fire. **Credentials:** - Licensed Architect - Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI SILVER – Certified \> 5 Years) - Autodesk Certified Professional: AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion 360 - Adobe Visual Design Specialist - SketchUp Certified 3D Warehouse Content Developer ### John Menvielle — Instructor John has been working in the Multimedia World for more than 15 years but has had an interest in it ever since he was a child. He moved to San Diego to attend the University of California, San Diego, and upon graduating, decided to stick around “because of the weather.” He joined the VDCI Team in 2019 and has since come to appreciate a multitude of VDC Software. **Credentials:** - Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI) - Bluebeam Professional ### David Nguyen — Instructor David is the AEC Software Specialist at VDCI, with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and an Associate’s degree of science in Drafting and General Design from ITT Technical Institute. A San Diego native with over 12 years working in the Design Industry and construction industry, David brings his construction and design expertise to help all students achieve their goals in the field. Outside of his professional life, David loves attending concerts, festivals, playing his guitar and restoring and repairing all types of vehicles. **Credentials:** - OSHA 30 hr. Construction Safety Certified - Construction Software: SketchUp, Bluebeam Revu, Autodesk Suite (AutoCAD, Fusion, REVIT) - Mechanical Software: PTC CREO Parametric, Solidworks, MasterCAM ### Reid Johnson — Instructor Reid isn't just someone who knows CAD and BIM; he's a licensed architect and contractor who deeply integrates these technologies into every facet of his career. His hands-on experience as a practitioner building real-world projects provides him with an invaluable understanding of how BIM and CAD streamline workflows and enhance design. This practical foundation led him to Autodesk, where he shared his expertise, helping others effectively leverage these powerful tools. Throughout his professional journey, Reid also dedicates himself to education, consistently teaching university courses and shaping the next generation of design professionals by equipping them with essential CAD skills. His unique blend of practical experience, industry knowledge gained at Autodesk, and passion for teaching positions Reid as a true specialist in BIM and CAD technology, capable of bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. **Credentials:** - Autodesk Fusion Certified User - Autodesk Revit Certified Professional - Autodesk Certified Instructor - Licensed Architect - Licensed General Contractor ### Marc Mucciaccio Marc is an Architectural Designer and Educator at VDCI, holding a Bachelor of Architecture from the Bernard & Anne Spitzer School of Architecture at CCNY, with a Minor in Art. A New York local with years of experience at prestigious NYC firms — including Douglas Wright Architects, Groves & Co., Joseph Vance Architects, and Studio SFW — Marc brings deep expertise in technical precision and architectural representation to help students excel in the field. Outside of work, he enjoys cycling along the West Side Highway, exploring Central Park, and visiting historic architectural sites. Credentials: - NAAB-Accredited 5-Year B.Arch, City College of New York (CUNY) - Design Software: ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, SketchUp, Rhinoceros, Vectorworks - Rendering Software: Enscape, Twinmotion, V-Ray, Redshift - Specializations: High-End Residential Design, Construction Documentation, BIM Management ## Pricing **Tuition:** $579