Architectural programs at the University of Florida date back to 1925 when the School of Architecture was established. In 1929, a graduate architecture degree program was begun. Subsequently, different specializations developed within the school leading to the establishment of such programs as Landscape Architecture (1933), Building Construction (1935), and Interior Design (1952). Eventually these programs achieved departmental status, and, along with Architecture, parted from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts and grouped with Urban and Regional Planning (formerly the Community Planning program) to form a College of Architecture (1975).

Building Construction was established as a separate school within the College in 1976. The School currently offers the Bachelor of Building Construction, the Master of Building Construction (nonthesis degree), the Master of Science of Building Construction (thesis degree), and a Ph.D. in affiliation with the College of Education. Also, the recently initiated doctorate program in the College of Architecture allows for a construction emphasis. In fact, of the seven students currently enrolled in the Ph. D. program, four are specializing in Building Construction's construction management option. One of the three doctorate courses offered in Fall Semester 1988 was a seminar conducted by construction professor Dr. Don Halperin.

The School of Building Construction normally enrolls about 260 upper division students. A self-imposed cap of 40 full-time graduate students meant that, in Fall 1988, only 19 of 116 applicants were accepted into the graduate program. The new enrollees have backgrounds typical of past applicants: 47% are business graduates; 26%, architecture graduates; 11%, construction graduates; and 3%, engineering graduates. Most graduates of the program undertake immediate construction work as project managers, field engineers, project schedulers, cost engineers, assistant superintendents, quality controllers, and estimators.

From 1976 to 1987, Dr. Brisbane H. Brown served as director of the School. While the search for a new director was underway, Bill Eppes served as Acting Director. In January, 1989, Dr. Weilin Chang was appointed the new director. There are altogether 21 faculty in the program with ten at the rank of Professor; six, Associate Professor; and five, Assistant Professor.

The undergraduate curriculum consists of general education, pre-professional courses, and professional courses. Construction courses in the pre-professional curriculum introduce students to construction materials, construction mechanics, and construction drawing. The professional curriculum construction structures (steel, timber, concrete), environmental technology (heating/ventilating/air conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical wiring), construction techniques (residential, light commercial, commercial, and industrial), construction estimating, construction planning and control (emphasizing the Critical Path Method), construction management (contracts, funding, managing people, organizational structure, project organization and quality control), the history of construction, and construction entrepreneurship (market analysis, site selection/design/drainage, utilities planning, cost analysis and feasibility).

An elective in the senior year can be selected from courses in construction layout, labor, productivity, temporary structures, or cost estimate analysis. Construction seminars, conducted by professionals in the field, cover topics in the actual work environment. Class lectures for several courses are reproduced on video tape to allow students to review difficult material. These video tapes are maintained in the AFA Library.

The graduate curriculum offers advanced courses in subjects such as construction techniques, structures, high-rise construction, construction law, and the many aspects of construction management. Recent thesis research interests include the participation of minority contractors in Florida, alternate housing for average income people, modular construction, solar access law in Florida, and mathematical models in the construction industry.

The School's faculty research interests are extensive. Sponsored research grants have been awarded for such topics as continuing education for contractors, minorities in the construction industry, affordable housing, coastal development, radon mitigation techniques, impact fees and impact on construction, construction inspection in Florida, roofing systems in Florida, impact on Florida's economy of the construction industry, Florida soil suitability for an on-site sewage system, and energy-related construction issues. The School also publishes a continuing series of research reports, entitled "Technical Publications," which explore various aspects of construction management and technology.

A recent grant to Dr. Chang from the Division of Sponsored Research and the College of Architecture has enabled the establishment of an important Fire Test Lab in the School. Other labs supporting research and instruction interests are the Construction Materials Lab, the Structures Lab, and the Computer Lab.

Research resources supporting the construction program are located primarily in the AFA Library and the Marston Science Library. The AFA Library houses the core collection of construction resources (classed in "TH" by the Library of Congress or "690-699" in the Dewey Decimal Classification) plus additional works on building materials and construction technology which are normally in "TA" (Library of Congress) and "620-629" (Dewey) classifications. The Science Library, which supports an array of engineering research and instruction programs, holds an extensive collection of technological resources. The Map Library, located in the Science Library, has cartographic resources utilized by construction researchers. The Main Library is the primary location for works on personnel management, financial management, labor relations, and similar business topics which may meet a need of construction researchers beyond the more specialized, construction-related titles housed in AFA Library. Also housed in Main (and in the Government Documents collection) are valuable statistical sources dealing with the building industry.

The School is often funded by private gifts which seek to improve instruction and research. A gift of $1,000,000 from construction executive M. E. Rinker, with a state matching-fund allotment of 600,000, will allow the program to enhance resources over the next ten years. Earmarked for these monies in the first two years are laboratories for construction materials and structures and computer equipment. In 1987, the Holland Construction Education Advancement Fund was established with the aim of eventually endowing a chair of construction professorship, and enhancing equipment, scholarships, and library acquisitions.

The Center for Affordable Housing in the College of Architecture was approved by the legislature in 1988. Funding for this program which will add several faculty positions is forthcoming. However, a graduate of the construction program, developer Jess Childre, has already established, with matching-funds assistance, the Childre Eminent Scholar Chair in Affordable Housing which will assist in the development of the new center.

There are numerous important professional associations and bodies associated with different aspects of the construction industry. Examples include the Association of General Contractors, American Institute of Contractors, National Association of Home Builders, American Institute of Steel Construction, Prestressed Concrete Institute, and Building Officials Association of Florida. Many of these organizations have important technical publications. The Building Construction Industry Advisory Committee funds research at Florida public universities and community colleges having construction program utilizing monies obtained from contractor licensing fees. The School was the first department accredited by the American Council for Construction Education and now is among seventeen programs that the ACCE reviews every five years for accreditation.

Since construction ranks among Florida's top economic and employment industries it is likely that the School of Building Construction will receive increased attention in the future as the College of Architecture strives to strengthen research endeavors. Long-range program goals, facilitated by private gifts as well as state support, include the establishment of a Construction Research Center.

Sources:

Architectural Program Report, submitted to the National Architectural Accrediting Board by the Department of Architecture. Gainesville, Fla.: Department of Architecture, 1985.

BCN 88, Gainesville, Fla.: School of Building Construction, University of Florida, October 1988.

BCN Curriculum, narrated by Brisbane H. Brown. [Video tape recording]Gainesville, Fla.: School of Building Construction, University of Florida, [1985?].

"Majors College Report — Fall 1987 Term," Collection Management Manual. Gainesville, Fla: University of Florida Libraries, 1985- .

University of Florida. University Record. Graduate Catalog, 1988-1989. Gainesville, Fla.: University of Florida, 1987, pp. 69-70.

University of Florida. University Record. Undergraduate Catalog, 1988-1989. Gainesville, Fla: University of Florida, 1987, pp. 51-53.

Edward H. Teague, Arts/Architecture Bibliographer
December 1, 1988; rev. February 1, 1989