Design by doing in CAD

Behind-the-scenes in Design Capstone Project (CAD 280).

Inside the classroom: Students in Tidewater Community College Professor Jean-Claude Guilbaud’s class don’t just talk about designing a building; they complete the steps necessary for a real-world project complete with detailed architectural renderings. What began with a brainstorming session last fall when the students were presented with a tract of open land in the Brenneman Farm section of Virginia Beach became WeCare Daycare an innovative facility for preschool and school-age children, ages 4 through 12.

The students named their company the Tidewater Concepts and Design Group and worked in teams on the architectural, structural, mechanical and site designs, using Revit software to create renderings of a 52,075 square-foot facility. WeCare Daycare features an atrium in the center of the building allowing for substantial natural light, classrooms, a cafeteria, a media room, conference rooms, a gymnasium, an outside play area and ball fields.

The students presented their $11.4 million bid with documentation including a site plan, zoning and elevation detail, roof plans, aerial views and a 3-D physical model.

Student voices: “We learned a lot. We learned how hard it is to stay on schedule.” – Jonathan Christ, who served as project manager

“We follow all the rules and codes when it comes to cost estimates, planning – everything, so it’s pretty in-depth.” – Muge Turnipseed

“We learned to work as a team.” – LaDonna Simpson

Why this class is sensational: “I try to prepare them for the real world. I pushed them to the limit, and they came through. This is a project that can go into their professional portfolio, as they’ve gone beyond the college level and won’t have a problem getting into any architectural school.” – Guilbaud