Great Architectural Drawings: A Guide to the Design Process

Great architectural drawings are more than just pretty pictures - they're a crucial part of the design process. They help architects communicate their ideas to clients, contractors, and other stakeholders.

A well-crafted architectural drawing can make all the difference in bringing a project to life. As we'll explore in this guide, the design process involves several stages, including conceptualization, design development, and documentation.

At its core, the design process is about balancing form and function. Architects must consider a building's purpose, site constraints, and budgetary limitations while also creating a visually appealing design.

Drawing Types are essential in architectural drawings, and understanding them is crucial for creating great architectural drawings. There are several types of drawings, but we'll focus on the most common ones.

Line drawings are a fundamental type of drawing, and they're characterized by the use of lines to represent the building's shape and structure. They're often used for initial sketches and idea generation.

Perspective drawings are another type of drawing that uses lines and shapes to create a 2D representation of a 3D building. They're commonly used to create a sense of depth and distance in a drawing.

There are two main types of perspective drawings: one-point and two-point perspective. One-point perspective is used for buildings that are symmetrical and have a clear focal point, while two-point perspective is used for buildings that have a more complex shape.

Isometric drawings are a type of drawing that uses lines and shapes to create a 2D representation of a 3D building, but they're viewed from an angle that creates a sense of balance and proportion. They're often used for technical drawings and blueprints.

Drawing processes can be a complex and time-consuming task, but with the right techniques, architects can create detailed and accurate drawings.

Perspective drawing is a fundamental technique used in architectural drawings, allowing architects to create a sense of depth and distance on a flat surface.

A key aspect of perspective drawing is the use of vanishing points, which are points on the horizon line where lines appear to converge.

Architects can also use various drawing tools, such as pencils, pens, and digital software, to create detailed drawings.

The choice of tool often depends on the desired level of detail and the personal preference of the architect.

As you start creating a drawing, there are 5 key features to consider. These features will help you create a comprehensive and accurate drawing.

A cross section is a crucial feature of a drawing, representing a vertical plane cut through the object. It shows the relationship between different levels of a building, making it easier to understand the design.

To create a cross section, you need to cut through the object with a vertical plane. This plane is often shown as a bold line, with solid fills to represent objects that are cut through.

A sectional elevation is a combination of a cross section and elevations of other parts of the building. It provides a detailed view of the building's design, including the relationships between different levels.

Architectural drawings typically include a variety of drawing types, each serving a specific purpose. These drawings are used to convey detailed information about a building or architectural idea.

Here are the 5 key features of a drawing:

These 5 key features will help you create a comprehensive and accurate drawing that effectively communicates your design ideas.

Perspective is a fundamental concept in drawing that can make or break the realism of your architectural drawings. Perspective is the view from a particular fixed viewpoint.

There are three main types of vanishing points in perspective: one-point, two-point, and three-point. One-point perspective is used when objects facing the viewer are orthogonal, and receding lines converge to a single vanishing point.

Two-point perspective is the most commonly used convention in architectural perspective, where all the verticals are drawn as verticals on the page. This technique reduces distortion by viewing objects at an angle.

Three-point perspective gives a casual, photographic snapshot effect, but it's not typically used in professional architectural photography. Instead, a view camera or a perspective control lens is used to eliminate the third vanishing point.

Aerial perspective is a technique used in painting to indicate distance by approximating the effect of the atmosphere on distant objects. In daylight, objects appear less saturated and more blue as they recede into the distance.

Here are the main differences between one-point, two-point, and three-point perspective:

By mastering perspective, you can create more realistic and engaging architectural drawings that bring your designs to life.

Reprographics is a crucial part of the drawing process, especially in architecture.

Blueprints, which are still sometimes called, were one of the early processes that produced a white line on blue paper.

The ink-jet printer and laser printer are commonly used for large-format printing.

Architect's working drawings tend to adhere to a black and white / greyscale aesthetic.

Here are some common technologies and media used in reprographics:

Drawing inspiration from the 13 houses with pitched roofs, we can see how the roof can be a seamless extension of the façade. The roof completes the façade, delineating not only the interior in its vertical sense but also in the horizontal one.

In these examples, the roof is not just a functional element but also a design feature. The roof becomes a wall, blurring the line between interior and exterior space.

The pitched roof is a common feature in many of these houses, creating a sense of continuity between the roof and the façade.

Renovating a space can completely transform its functionality and ambience.

A well-thought-out plan can drastically improve the quality of life of occupants, as seen in housing renovations.

By demolishing parts, making additions, and altering functionality, architects can create a space that meets contemporary demands.

This is evident in Paulo Mendes da Rocha's Pinacoteca renovation project, where a new longitudinal axis was created for circulation.

The new design enabled new dynamics of circulation between rooms, transforming a neoclassical building into a museum with a contemporary program.

Metallic walkways and skylights were used to cross internal courtyards, improving the overall experience of the space.

The result is a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Site plans are a crucial part of the drawing process, providing a comprehensive overview of a building or group of buildings within a site. They show property boundaries, access routes, and nearby structures relevant to the design.

A site plan can be used to represent a building proposal prior to detailed design, helping to decide the site layout and size and orientation of proposed new buildings. This process is essential in ensuring that a proposal complies with local development codes.

Site plans are commonly used to verify that a proposal meets local development codes, including restrictions on historical sites. They may also be required to be drawn up by a licensed professional, such as an architect or engineer.

Site plans typically include information on buildings, roads, parking lots, footpaths, hard landscaping, trees, and planting within the site boundary. They may also show services connections, such as drainage and sewer lines, water supply, electrical and communications cables, and exterior lighting.

Here's a list of some of the key information that can be found on a site plan:

In some cases, site plans may be required to be drawn up by a licensed professional, such as an architect or engineer, to ensure compliance with local development codes.