What is poché? Poché is a style of presentation that involves filling the cut components of a plan or section with solid black (or closely spaced diagonal lines) to add depth and dimension to the drawings. This technique became popular during the Middle Ages when buildings were built with thick stone masonry walls, and the […]
What Does Poché Mean & How Does It Differ From a Hatch Read More »
Wall sections are fundamental drawings in any construction drawing set. They can quickly give the viewer or contractor an overview of the project’s construction, from footing to roof. What is a wall section? A wall section is a drawing that cuts a vertical “slice” through a building’s wall and only extends a short distance into
What is a Wall Section Drawing? Read More »
Section drawings are a critical part of any construction drawing set. They slice the building up at several scales to show the materials and assemblies being used, spatial relationships, and information that can’t be clearly indicated on the plans or elevations. I’ll break down the several types of section drawings below. What is a section
What are Section Drawings? Read More »
When you hear the term “elevation”, we typically thing of the distance above sea level. Elevations are also a type of technical drawings used in construction. They are 2D orthographic representations of a vertical plane of a building or element. Elevation plans are most typically drawn to show the exterior façade of a building. It
What are Architectural Elevations and What Do They Show? Read More »
You may not take time to look up when you enter a new room, but the ceilings of our buildings play an important role in how that space feels and operates. Lighting, color, material, and texture can make a space feel bright and airy, or warm and cozy. In addition, required devices like light fixtures,
What is a Reflected Ceiling Plan (RCP)? Read More »
Foundations create stability and a base for our buildings. They are the first portion of the building to be constructed, so getting it right is essential to the construction of the remainder of the building. The key to designing a stable building starts with the foundation plan. What is a foundation? A foundation consists of
What is a Foundation Plan? Read More »
“TYP” is one of the most common abbreviations you’ll see in a set of construction documents. You’ll find it not only in architectural drawings but in all of the other trades’ drawings as well. What does “typ” mean? TYP is simply an abbreviation for “typical.” It’s added to a note that applies throughout the drawing
What Does “TYP” Mean? What is a typical detail? Read More »
Imagine looking down from 100′ above a building. This is what is drawn in a roof plan. It’s the drawing that illustrates the materials that keep a building watertight, indicates how water is removed from the roof, and shows any equipment that may be located on it. What is a roof plan? A roof plan
What is a Roof Plan? Read More »
The architectural plans are the heart and soul of any drawing set. The initial concept of a building often begins as a plan sketch. Design ideas continue to be tested in plan until the scheme is ready to be brought to the next level. Floor plans are usually the first drawings hard-lined and serve as
What Are Floor Plans & What Do They Show? Read More »
