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The following is a brief description of the architectural components in a
set of construction drawing.
The images shown with each description are for demonstration purposes only. They are not intended to provide any specific information and therefore should not be copied.
Floor plan
A plan is a two dimensional view of a space, such as a room or building. It is a view of the space from above, as if the space was cut through horizontally at the windowsill level. The upper half removed. You are looking down at the floor.
The floor plan will show the locations of walls, partitions, doors, stairs, washrooms, furniture, dimensions, etc. When too much information is shown on one plan it becomes confusing. So often several plans are used for one project. For example: Demolition Plan, Partition Plan, Fixture Plan, Floor Finish Plan and so on.
Plans are drawn to scale. This means that the plan is measured down proportionately to a size that will fit on a drawing sheet. A common scale is one quarter of an inch is equal to one foot (scale: ¼” = 1’-0”). The plan will be titled with the scale noted below.
Above is an example of a demolition plan.
The plan is drawn to scale however in this case it has been sized down to fit on this page. Therefore the scale of the drawing is noted as N.T.S. (not to scale).
The dotted lines indicate the items (walls, fixtures, etc.) to be removed to make the space ready for the new design.
The numbers in the hexagon shape are keynotes. They describe the item to be removed and disposed of, or in some cases, relocated and reused in the new design.
On the actual sheet a keynotes legend is included, showing each number and corresponding note.
Click here for more about Demolition
Above is an example of a construction plan. The plan is drawn to scale however in this case it has been sized down to fit on this page. Therefore the scale of the drawing is noted as N.T.S. (not to scale). The circle with the arrow is an elevation symbol pointing at the wall to be shown in elevation. Several are shown. The top number represents the elevation number. The bottom number represents the drawing sheet or page number. Example: elevation # 2 on sheet A.6. The circle with the arrow and a line extending from it is a section symbol. The numbering is the same as explained for an elevation symbol.
Above is an example of a fixture plan. The plan is drawn to scale however in this case it has been sized down to fit on this page. Therefore, the scale of the drawing above is noted as N.T.S. (not to scale). Each fixture and wall item has a number. On the actual drawing sheet a legend is provided listing each item with a description.
Elevation
An elevation is a view of an interior or exterior wall. You are standing back, looking directly at the wall. This is a flat, two-dimensional view. Only the height and width are obvious. This view of the wall shows items that cannot be clearly shown in plan. This could be wall moldings, signs, graphics, window sizes, or a finish pattern that is applied on the wall.
Interior elevations will show the inside walls of a space. Exterior elevations will show the outside walls of a building.
Elevations are drawn to scale. This means that the wall is measured down proportionately to a size that will fit on a sheet. A common scale is one quarter of an inch is equal to one foot (scale: ¼” = 1’-0”). Each elevation will be titled with the scale noted below.
Above is an example of an elevation.
The elevation is drawn to scale however in this case it has been sized down to fit on this page. Therefore the scale is noted as N.T.S. (not to scale).
This is the elevation of the back wall.
On the construction plan above it is elevation 2 on A.6.
Detail symbols are shown at the door.
One detail represents the door header. The other represents the door jamb.
Reflected Ceiling Plan (RCP)
A reflected ceiling plan is a drawing of a room or building, looking down at the interior ceiling.
It is a view of the ceiling from above. It is as if you were floating above the ceiling and looking down at it.
This view will show the location of light fixtures, drywall or t-bar ceiling patterns and any items that may be suspended from the ceiling.
Many projects will require electrical and mechanical drawings. The interior designer or architect will provide the electrical, mechanical engineer with their reflected ceiling plan design. The engineer will add the required information such as circuitry, duct placement, etc.
A reflected ceiling plan is drawn to scale. This means that the plan is measured down proportionately to a size that will fit on a drawing sheet.
A reflected ceiling plan will most often be at the same scale as the floor plan. A common scale is one quarter of an inch is equal to one foot (scale: ¼” = 1’-0”). The reflected ceiling plan will be titled with the scale noted below.
Above is an example of a reflected ceiling plan.
The ‘rcp’ is drawn to scale however in this case it has been sized down to fit on this page. Therefore the scale is noted as N.T.S. (not to scale).
Each light fixture has an identification letter.
A light fixture legend is included on the actual drawing sheet. In the legend, each fixture is listed with its letter and a specification.
The numbers in the hexagon shape are keynotes. They describe items on the ‘rcp.’ For example: number 2 would list the specification for the t-bar ceiling.
Ceiling heights are noted in the oval shape.
Click here for more about the RCP
Details
Detail drawings provide information about specific parts of the construction.
A detail is both graphic and written information. An area of construction is drawn at a larger scale in order to clearly show the materials, dimensions, method of building, desired joint or attachment, and so on.
Details are most commonly drawn as sections.
It is as if a slice is made through a specific area and the inner components are visible.
Some examples of details are:
- floor transition strips (the material to be used between two different floor materials, such as carpet to vinyl tile)
- specifics about decorative features on ceilings or columns (shape, joints, moldings)
- reveals in walls, ceilings, or between two different finishes
- glass joints, frames, recessed support channels, etc.
There are many, many types of details.
A drawing sheet will often have several details on it.
The complexity of the project will determine what areas need to be shown at a larger scale.
Details are always drawn to scale.
A typical scale for a detail is three inches is equal to one foot (scale: 3” = 1’-0”).
The scale for each detail will vary depending on how much information is required to make the construction clear to the builder. Each detail will be titled with the scale noted below.
Above is an example of a detail.
In this case it is a section.
The location of this section is indicated by a detail symbol on the elevation shown above.
The section is drawn to scale however in this case it has been sized down to fit on this page. Therefore the scale is noted as N.T.S. (not to scale)
Click here for a description of Wall Section Details
Click here for details and sections at a modest fee
There is also another type of drawing set that should be mentioned. Referred to as presentation or design package.
Mainly graphic with only general information provided, they are used in the initial stages of developing a design concept with the client.
They are not used for construction.
Plans and elevations are still used. So are perspectives or other types of three-dimensional views. They may be hand drawn, as in sketches or artistic renderings, or they may be computer-generated. Whatever form they take, they are a part of the process leading to the final design and eventually the construction drawings.
For more information on three-dimensional presentations, click on the heading below.
Engineering drawings are added to the architectural to complete the set of construction drawings.
These are required for all electrical, plumbing and mechanical aspects of a project.
The contractor uses these to do the electrical circuitry, HVAC system, plumbing lines, etc.
Click on a heading below for more information.
Electrical Drawings
Plumbing Dwgs.
Mechanical Dwgs.
