Orla Smyth LoPiccolo, M. Arch., P.Dip. (CM), CPHD, Architect
Associate Professor, Architecture and Construction Management | Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY, UNITED STATES
Professor Orla Smyth LoPiccolo has over 10 years of public sector experience as an architect and a Community Development Project Supervisor.
Biography
Orla Smyth LoPiccolo is a registered architect, and an associate professor in the Department of Architecture and Construction Management, where she has taught 10 different courses since 2008. She earned her undergraduate and professional degree with honors from the Dublin Institute of Technology, and Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Ireland, and her post-professional degree in Architecture Urban Regional Design from New York Institute of Technology. Subsequently, Orla earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Building Construction Management from New York University and Passive House Designer Certification from the Passivhaus Institut, Germany. She has private sector architecture and construction project management experience in both Dublin, Ireland and New York, and she has over 10 years of public sector experience as an architect and a Community Development Project Supervisor with the Town of Islip.
Areas of Expertise (11)
Innovative Pedagogy
Passive House and Sustainable Construction and Techniques
Architectural Graphics
Architectural Design
Advanced Project Planning and Scheduling
Construction Project Management and Scheduling
Site Design and Construction
Construction Design
Materials and Methods of Construction
Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Systems
Architectural Design Fundamentals
Industry Expertise (2)
Architecture and Planning
Education/Learning
Accomplishments (6)
Innovative Pedagogy Award (professional)
2017-05-31
Innovative Pedagogy Award, Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology, Farmingdale State College
Citation for Construction Design Service Learning Construction Drawings Project (professional)
2017-05-01
Citation for Construction Design Service Learning Construction Drawings Project, Town of Brookhaven
Citation for Construction Design Service Learning Construction Drawings Project (professional)
2015-05-01
Citation for Construction Design Service Learning Construction Drawings Project, Town of Brookhaven
Citation for Construction Design Service Learning Construction Drawings Project (professional)
2014-04-30
Citation for Construction Design Service Learning Construction Drawings Project, Town of Islip
Pride in Community Award (professional)
Pride in Community Award, Historic Society of Islip Hamlet for work that saved one of the last Queen Anne style homes in Islip, NY from demolition
Excellence in Academic Achievement Award (professional)
Excellence in Academic Achievement Award, The Joseph J. Fater Diploma in Building Construction Management and The Real Estate Institute, NYU
Education (6)
New York University: Postgraduate Diploma, Construction Management
New York Institute of Technology: M.Arch., Urban Regional Design
Trinity College Dublin: M.A., Architecture
Trinity College Dublin: B.Sc. Arch (hons), Architecture
(5 year professional degree)
Dublin Institute of Technology: Dip. Arch, (hons), Architecture
Passiv Haus Institut, Germany: Certified Passive House Designer, Passive House Designer
Affiliations (5)
- New York Passive House
- Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
- Building Performance Contractors Association of New York
- American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Middle Atlantic Section
- American Society of Engineering Education National
Links (2)
Languages (1)
- English
Event Appearances (4)
The Benefits of Incorporating a Service Learning Project into an Engineering Technology Course at Farmingdale State College
American Society of Engineering Education Middle Atlantic Section Spring 2016 Conference George Washington University, Washington, D.C
Testing Guided Notes against a Skeleton Outline in a Lecture Course: A Preliminary Study
American Society of Engineering Education Middle Atlantic Section Spring 2015 Conference, Villanova University, Villanova, PA
Improving Spatial Reasoning Ability While Learning Energy Efficient Construction: Students Who Build Physical Models vs. Students Who Develop 3D Computer Models
American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Zone 1 Conference University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport CT
The Sustainable Building Field Trip ‒ Real vs. Virtual
American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) 2013 Annual Conference Atlanta, Georgia
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
- Corporate Training
Media Appearances (1)
Brookhaven Township Benefits from Student Project
The Campus Times online
2016-05-23
Twenty five students in the School of Engineering Technology received Certificates of Appreciation from the Town of Brookhaven last week. What did they do to deserve such an honor? As part of Professor Orla LoPiccolo’s Construction Design class, they worked in teams to assist the Town by measuring, photographing and sketching existing buildings with the purpose of giving Brookhaven a “blueprint” by which to improve its infrastructure with storm preparedness, space allocation, installation of fire suppression systems, and as a starting point for future renovation.
Published Articles (3)
Improving Spatial Reasoning Ability While Learning Energy Efficient Construction: Students Who Build Physical Models vs. Students who Develop 3D Computer Models
Transactions on Techniques in STEM Education
Orla LoPiccolo
Improving Spatial Reasoning Ability While Learning Energy Efficient Construction: Students Who Build Physical Models vs. Students who Develop 3D Computer Models", Transactions on Techniques in STEM Education, April-June 2016
The Sustainable Building Field Trip ‒ Real vs. Virtual
American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
Orla LoPiccolo
The Sustainable Building Field Trip ‒ Real vs. Virtual,” Proceedings for the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) 2013 Annual Conference, June 2013, Atlanta, Georgia
The Benefits of Incorporating a Service Learning Project into an Engineering Technology Course at Farmingdale State College
American Society of Engineering Education Middle Atlantic Section
Orla LoPiccolo
The Benefits of Incorporating a Service Learning Project into an Engineering Technology Course at Farmingdale State College,” Proceedings of the American Society of Engineering Education Middle Atlantic Section Spring 2016 Conference, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., April 2016
Courses (9)
Graphics I
To develop student's abilities in lettering, technical sketching, drafting and the use of drafting instruments. The fundamentals of orthographic projection and pictorial drawings develop the student's abilities to visualize and describe objects and structures graphically.
Graphics II
To continue the development of the graphic skills from Graphics I to include one and two point perspective drawing and the introduction of descriptive geometry. Also included is an extensive use of computer-aided drawing on AutoCad.
Materials and Methods of Construction I
An introduction to the engineering properties and the uses of construction materials including soils, concrete, masonry, steel and wood. Classroom testing demonstrations of several materials are included. Conventional construction systems are studied. The student is also given an orientation to the construction industry, the associated professions, and the varieties of employment available.
Materials and Methods of Construction II
A continuation of CON 161 extended to include the study of architectural properties of selected materials, methods of construction, and building components. Class work includes technical problem solving using quantitative and graphic analysis of specific building construction systems.
Construction Project Management and Scheduling
This course gives an in-depth introduction and orientation to construction project management. This includes professional construction management in practice and methods in professional construction management. Some of the areas this course will cover are: Bidding and Award, Application of Controls, Scheduling, Planning and Control of Operations and Resources, Procurement Quality Assurance, Safety and Health in Construction, Industrial Relations.
Advanced Project Planning and Scheduling
Advanced Project Planning and Scheduling. Topics include introduction to advanced project planning concepts and terminology, development of schedule activities and preparing and maintaining computerized schedules. Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM).
Construction Design
Construction Design is a technology-based design studio emphasizing a methodological approach to the assembly of the building's envelope, materials and systems. The integration of building code requirements, life safety, accessibility, building energy systems, structure, construction, and materials are central to effectively achieving design intent. Knowledge from Materials and Method of Construction I and II, Energy in Buildings and Graphics are applied to specific drawing assignments. A residential Type V construction, and a commercial Type II or Type III construction, building project will be advanced resulting in a set of construction documents.
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Energy Systems
An overview of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) aspects of buildings. Intended to develop students' ability to analyze energy requirements of buildings and various methods of energy conservation and thermal efficiency. Topics covered include heat flow, system and equipment for heating and cooling. Also included are water supply and wastewater treatments for buildings.
Site Design and Construction
This is an advanced course in the utilization of engineering and architectural principles from concept through the construction techniques of traditional and sustainable site development. Site planning techniques, municipal land development requirements, zoning regulations, soil stabilization techniques, erosion control parameters, stormwater management practices, and site construction details are applied to a site design project. Computer-aided programs in site design and survey data management will be introduced.
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