Tony Bush, Head of the Department of Architectural Technology at Technikon Natal, says that whether the architect chooses to expand their practice to the new fields of technology or concentrate on more effective ways to deliver traditional services, they will need technologist training. With the new governmental, skills and learnership programmes, all of industry will become involved in training and re-training of staff. Such training is offered by the Architectural Technology Department at Technikon Natal.

Since taking up his post, Bush has made it his goal to have the department earn the reputation of being the best building technology learning centre in South Africa - being technically qualified to work at the top end of the technology in the Information Age. With this in mind the department has upgraded its computers and has two CAD Labs established - using ArchiCAD and AutoCAD Desktop as the teaching software, together with other additional digital technology that needs to be introduced. A small advance at first glance, but when one considers the cost of hardware and software, the Technikon could on its own never fulfil these dreams without the support of industry. The department is very grateful for the generous input from Graphisoft and Autodesk. Bush says that his next target is to replace most of its drawing boards with computer workstations, but this will only be achieved if funding can be found from industry.

The Department of Architectural Technology offers National Diploma in Architectural Technology over a three-year course and the B.Tech Degree over a further one-year. It is intended to introduce a one-year Certificate Course to enable future first year students to cope with the Diploma Course. Part-time courses in ArchiCAD, AutoCAD and VersaCAD are offered to those who need training as CAD operators in the production fields or who need advance training in this information age.

If you have read this article and can assist the department with its development please contact Tony Bush, Head: Department of Architectural Technology, Technikon Natal e-mail: tonyb@umfolozi.ntech.ac.za