Breaking the Communication Barrier Between Architects and Builders Across Cultures

This class will explore and question the standard forms of communication between architects, construction managers, and builders in various parts of the world. In some cultures, hiring an architect, designer, and/or construction manager is not a standard practice or form of service. Architectural drawings can be misleading and hard to understand to someone with limited education and background in the construction industry. The African Design Centre Fellows, together with MASS Design Group and Autodesk Foundation volunteers, workshopped and developed new drawing techniques and standards that can be applied in other contexts to break down the communication barrier between architects, builders, and foremen on construction sites in Rwanda. Using the Autodesk Foundation's Volunteer Rwanda Trip in October 2016 as a case study, the session will discuss the lessons learned and applied during workshops with builders and foremen to help architects and designers communicate more effectively.