A Comprehensive Guide to Architectural Size Drawings for Beginners

Architectural size drawings are a crucial part of the design process, providing a detailed and accurate representation of a building's design.

They are typically drawn to scale, with a scale of 1:50 or 1:100 being common in residential architecture.

These drawings are essential for communicating the design to clients, contractors, and other stakeholders, and for obtaining building permits.

A good set of architectural size drawings should include all the necessary details, such as floor plans, elevations, and cross-sections.

They should also be neat, organized, and easy to read, with clear labels and dimensions.

In residential architecture, architectural size drawings are often used to visualize the layout of a home, including the placement of windows, doors, and other features.

They can also be used to identify potential design issues, such as structural problems or clashes between different building systems.

Drawing is a fundamental tool used by architects and designers to convey their design concepts. It involves creating sketches, plans, diagrams, and schematic illustrations.

Architects make technical illustrations to systematically translate their design concept into a series of coherent steps. These drawings are essential in the initial stages of a construction project.

A drawing includes comprehensive details about a building, which is then presented to clients and local government regulatory bodies.

There are 9 main types of architectural drawings.

As an architect, I can attest that each type of drawing serves a specific purpose in the design and construction process.

1. Floor plans are a type of architectural drawing that shows the layout of a building's interior spaces.

These drawings are essential for understanding how a building will be used and how its different components will fit together.

2. Elevations show the exterior of a building from different angles, highlighting its shape, size, and materials.

They're also crucial for determining how a building will interact with its surroundings and how it will be perceived by the public.

3. Sections are drawings that cut through a building, revealing its internal structure and relationships between different spaces.

I recall working on a project where a section drawing helped us identify a major design flaw that would have been costly to fix if caught later.

4. Details are drawings that focus on specific elements of a building, such as door handles, windows, or roof trusses.

These drawings are often used to ensure that every detail is accurate and meets building codes and regulations.

5. Plans are drawings that show the layout of a building's exterior spaces, such as courtyards, patios, or parking lots.

They're also used to determine how a building will interact with its surroundings and how it will be used by occupants.

6. Site plans show the relationship between a building and its surroundings, including adjacent buildings, roads, and other features.

These drawings are essential for understanding how a building will fit into its environment and how it will impact the surrounding community.

7. Cross-sections are drawings that show the relationship between different levels of a building, such as between floors or between a building and its foundation.

They're often used to determine how a building will function in terms of circulation, lighting, and ventilation.

8. Perspective drawings show a building or a space from a specific vantage point, creating a sense of depth and distance.

These drawings are often used to help clients visualize a building or space before it's constructed.

9. Isometric drawings show a building or a space from a 3D perspective, creating a sense of scale and proportion.

They're often used to help architects and engineers communicate complex design ideas and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Drawing Organization is a crucial aspect of creating architectural size drawings. It involves organizing the various types of sheets that are used for designing and building a project.

A comprehensive set of architectural drawings typically includes several key types of sheets, such as site plans, floor plans, and elevation drawings. These sheets provide vital information about the project, including landscaping, utilities, and structural systems.

Site plans, which are created during the site planning phase, encompass information about the layout of the project, including local building codes and regulations. Floor plans, which are created after the site plan, provide insights into the spatial organization, functionality, and finishes of the building.

Elevation drawings, which are created after the floor plan, depict the external elements of the building, including finishing materials, windows, and doors. These drawings are essential for showcasing the size and measurements of the structure.

Here's a breakdown of the typical sheets found in a set of architectural drawings:

By organizing these sheets effectively, architects and builders can ensure that all necessary information is included and easily accessible throughout the project.

Construction drawings are the backbone of any construction project, as Frank Gehry notes, "They translate abstract concepts into tangible plans that can be executed by the construction team." These drawings are technical representations of buildings and structures, created to communicate detailed information about design, dimensions, construction methods, and material specifications.

Architectural drawings are used as a universal language for architects, engineers, contractors, and clients, ensuring everyone involved in a project has a clear understanding of the design intent. They serve several critical functions, including communication, legal documentation, construction guidance, and record keeping.

Here are some key components of construction drawings:

Construction drawings are a crucial part of any building project, serving as a universal language for all parties involved.

Architectural drawings are technical representations of buildings and structures, created to communicate detailed information about design, dimensions, construction methods, and material specifications.

These drawings are used as a communication tool, ensuring everyone involved in a project has a clear understanding of the design intent. This is critical for preventing misunderstandings and errors that can lead to costly delays and rework.

Architectural drawings also serve as legal documentation, required for building permits and approvals, demonstrating compliance with local building codes and regulations.

A construction guide, they provide precise instructions for constructing the building, detailing the overall layout and specific construction techniques.

Here are the key functions of architectural drawings:

These drawings serve as historical records of the design and construction process, useful for future renovations, maintenance, and documentation.

Site plans are a crucial part of construction drawings, showing the lot, its surroundings, and every structure located on it. They provide a comprehensive view of the property and its boundaries, including nearby structures that may be relevant to the project.

The site plan is essential for getting any type of building permit, as it shows the exact distance between structures on the lot and existing and proposed buildings. This information is vital for contractors and architects to ensure compliance with construction codes and regulations.

A well-detailed site plan will include landscaping plans, utilities, existing natural or constructed features, and other essential information about the construction site. This helps contractors and architects make informed decisions about the project.

Here's what a site plan typically includes:

Having a site plan in place helps prevent unwanted surprises during construction and ensures a safe, compliant, and well-designed project.

Structural engineering construction drawings are a crucial aspect of any construction project. They indicate structural requirements and building element positions relative to the foundation, as seen in Foundation Plans (Architectural Version).

These plans are typically generated by architects and engineers, who use them to ensure that the building's foundation is designed and constructed correctly. The plans will indicate position, while the structural foundation plan will indicate specifications of elements such as size, reinforcing, etc.

Structural engineering construction drawings can help prevent costly mistakes and ensure that the building is safe and compliant with regulations. They also aid in progress tracking and identifying pending tasks, making them invaluable to construction teams.

Here are some key types of structural engineering construction drawings:

By including these structural engineering construction drawings in the overall set of architectural drawings, architects and engineers can ensure that the building is designed and constructed to meet the needs of the client and comply with local building codes and regulations.

The roof is a crucial part of any building, and construction drawings often include a specific plan that highlights its drainage information.

A view of the roof is typically included in this plan to help architects and builders visualize how water will flow off the roof.

The primary purpose of this plan is to show roof drainage information, which is essential for ensuring that water doesn't accumulate and cause damage.

This plan often features detailed information about gutters, downspouts, and other drainage systems, which are vital for keeping the roof and surrounding areas dry.

By including a roof plan in construction drawings, builders can ensure that the roof is designed and constructed to withstand various weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and snowfall.

Reflected Ceiling plans, or RCPs, are a type of construction drawing that shows the ceiling finish and lighting positions from an upward perspective.

These drawings are similar to floor plans, but instead of looking down at the floor, you're looking up at the ceiling.

RCPs are used to describe the ceiling finish, which can include materials like drywall, tile, or wood.

They also show the positions of lighting fixtures, such as ceiling-mounted lamps or recessed lighting.

Interior elevations are a 2D view of your project that show the interior finish materials.

They can include details like cabinetry, light fixtures, and mirrors.

Interior elevations are similar to architectural details but focus solely on the interior finish elements.

Trim requirements, cabinetry elements, and more can be shown in these details.

These drawings can help you visualize the interior of your building and ensure that the finish materials are correctly specified.

Schedules and Details are crucial components of architectural size drawings. They provide a quick overview of the specifications and components involved in a project.

Detailed drawings offer a magnified perspective of specific portions of the construction, allowing for a closer examination of individual components and their interconnections. This is particularly helpful in the design process, where you can see each decorative element up close.

Door, window, finish, and assembly schedules are also essential, offering a brief overview of specifications in a table format. These schedules connect the floor plan with the corresponding specifications, making it easier to visualize and plan the project.

Details are a crucial part of any construction project, and they can be found in various forms.

These drawings are typically linked to a wall section or building section and offer a closer view and more specific information of the individual components in that section. They're a great way to zoom in on specific areas of the project and get a better understanding of how everything fits together.

By examining the details, you can see each decorative element up close, which can be really helpful during the design process. This magnified perspective can also help you identify potential issues before they become major problems.

In some cases, detailed drawings can serve as a reference during the construction process, showing how reinforced concrete beams are assembled, for example. This can be especially useful for contractors and builders who need to know exactly how to put everything together.

Door, Window, and Finish Schedules are essential tools for builders and architects. They provide a brief overview of specifications in a table format.

These schedules connect different parts of the building, such as floor plans, building sections, and elevations, with the corresponding specifications. They help ensure that all aspects of the project are properly coordinated.

Door schedules, for example, connect door positions on the floor plan with the door specifications. Window schedules do the same for window positions and specifications. Assembly schedules connect assembly positions with assembly component specifications.

Finish schedules connect finish positions on the elevations with the finish specifications. This helps builders and architects visualize and manage the project more effectively.

Here's a quick rundown of the types of schedules:

These schedules can be found in building plans, such as the one found at 1100 Kermit Drive Suite 024, Nashville, TN 37217.

To obtain dimensions, start by identifying the project's scope and requirements.

The project manager should review the project schedule to determine the necessary dimensions.

Measure the length, width, and height of each room or area to be renovated or built.

The architect's plans and blueprints are essential for obtaining accurate dimensions.

Use a tape measure to record precise measurements, including door and window openings.

The project team should also consider any obstacles or irregularities that may affect the dimensions.

MEP Construction Drawings are a crucial part of architectural size drawings. They detail the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems of a building.

A plan view of MEP construction drawings indicates the location and size of ductwork. This is essential for understanding the layout of a building's mechanical systems.

In a typical MEP construction drawing, the size and location of ductwork, pipes, and electrical conduits are clearly marked. This helps architects, engineers, and contractors visualize and plan the installation of these systems.

In MEP construction drawings, the mechanical section is a crucial part of the overall design.

The mechanical section indicates the location and size of ductwork in a plan view, which is essential for understanding the ventilation and air distribution systems.

Mechanical drawings also show the layout of plumbing systems, including water and gas lines, as well as the location of HVAC equipment and components.

A well-drafted mechanical section helps contractors and builders understand the complex systems that make a building functional and comfortable.

Mechanical drawings can be overwhelming, but breaking them down into smaller components makes them more manageable and easier to understand.

In a mechanical plan view, you'll typically see the location of ductwork, pipes, and other mechanical components, which is vital for planning and executing the construction process.

Sanitary Plumbing is a crucial aspect of MEP construction drawings. It's responsible for indicating the location and size of sanitary (waste) plumbing.

A Sanitary Plumbing Plan is typically included in the drawings to show the layout of pipes, fixtures, and appliances that handle wastewater. This plan helps ensure that the plumbing system is properly designed and installed.

Sanitary Plumbing includes drains, toilets, sinks, and showers. These components are essential for removing wastewater from buildings.

A well-designed Sanitary Plumbing system helps prevent waterborne diseases and reduces the risk of plumbing-related issues. It's a critical consideration in MEP construction drawings.

Metric scales are a crucial tool for architects and builders to accurately represent the size and proportions of buildings and objects. They're like a special kind of ruler that helps you measure and compare distances on a drawing.

A triangular metric scale has six edges, but only one scale ratio per edge. The ratio is marked at the left end of the scale, and it's used to determine how much of the real-world object is being represented on the drawing.

For example, a scale of 1:50 means that 1 mm on the drawing represents 50 mm on the object. This means that the object is 50 times larger than the drawing of it.

If you're working with a scale of 1:50, an object 450 mm long would be represented by a line 9 mm long. This is because 450 mm divided by 50 is 9.

The ratios most often used in drawings are 1:100 for larger buildings, 1:50 for smaller buildings, and 1:20 for details.

Here are some common metric scales for comparison:

You can also measure the drawing with any metric tape measure and multiply that by the scale ratio to find the length of the object in real-world units.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is a crucial aspect of architectural size drawings, allowing designers to create detailed 2D or 3D illustrations of a project.

CAD drawings can be either 2D or 3D, with 3D designs often referred to as "rendering" or "modeling", while 2D design is commonly called "drafting."

Reading and understanding drawings can be a challenge, but knowing the basics can make a big difference. A scale is used to represent the size of an object or building in a drawing.

To read a scale, you need to understand what the numbers and lines represent. For example, a scale might show a 1:50 ratio, meaning one unit on the drawing represents 50 units in real life.

A drawing key, or legend, is often included to explain the different symbols and colors used in the drawing. This can help you quickly identify what each element represents.

The term "blueprint" originates from a 19th-century method of copying drawings, producing white lines on a blue background. This method has largely been replaced by modern printing techniques.

Leonardo da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man" is one of the most famous examples of an architectural drawing, illustrating ideal human proportions based on Vitruvius' writings.

To read architectural drawings effectively, start with the overall plan to understand the layout, then move to details. This helps in understanding how different components fit together.

Familiarize yourself with common symbols and notations used in architectural drawings. This knowledge is crucial for accurate interpretation.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is not just a drawing tool but a collaborative process involving all stakeholders to ensure accurate and feasible design.

Here are some key symbols and notations to look out for:

Architectural drawings are the backbone of any construction project, translating abstract concepts into tangible plans that can be executed by the construction team, as renowned architect Frank Gehry puts it.

Reading Architect's Drawings is a unique skill that requires attention to detail and an understanding of the drawing conventions used by architects.

Architects use a variety of symbols, such as the "X" for a door or the "P" for a window, to convey information quickly and efficiently.

The key to deciphering these symbols is to familiarize yourself with the architectural drawing standards and conventions used by the architect.

A typical architectural drawing may include a legend or key that explains the meaning of each symbol.

Don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you're unsure about a particular symbol or notation.