Reading Architects’ Documents

This week’s online article references back to a new page on the HOME ARCHITECTS ® website:
How to Read an Architect’s Drawings.

The webpage main article is quite long and detailed. This post is merely an abbreviated version, hitting the highlights. Reading Architects’ documents can be a challenge, unless educated in how that profession organizes the information. This article provides highlights of that organization.

The main article has 5 main sections:

1. PROLOGUE BRIEFING.
2. SET OF DOCUMENTS.
3. DRAWING NUMBERING.
4. LEVEL OF DETAIL.
5. READING THE ARCHITECTURAL & OTHER SHEETS OF DRAWINGS.

reading architects documents — click on image above to see Project Index

1. PROLOGUE BRIEFING.
2. SET OF DOCUMENTS.
3. DRAWING NUMBERING.
4. LEVEL OF DETAIL.
5. READING THE ARCHITECTURAL & OTHER SHEETS OF DRAWINGS. – See more at: https://www.homearchitects.com/main-menu/firm-info-history-biography/how-to-read-an-architects-drawings#sthash.n53fU5In.dpuf

1. PROLOGUE BRIEFING: each architectural company has their own system and way of doing things. There really is no right way or wrong way. What works for each firm is what works. There are architectural organizations, such as ArCH: Architects Creating Homes that have adopted systems for what seems to work well for its members, although there are variations within the various firms. Everyone uses what works for them and customizes what they feel is necessary for their particular practice.

2. SET OF DOCUMENTS: Even though our society is trending evermore digital, Architects still tend to produce a “set of documents” that Contractors and Clients can have printed out if they wish. The trend for the architectural firm is to no longer run hard copy for themselves, adopting a “greener” approach and backing up the projects on multiple digital devices and drives. 24″x36″ still seems to be the default standard size for many sets of architectural documents, although there are variations to this size. The number of sheets in a set can be as few as 3 to 5 or 20, 30, 50 or over 100 sheets, depending on what the Architect feels is appropriate to indicate.

3. DRAWING NUMBERING: there are as many variations to sheet numbering as there are firms. However, there is usually an attempt to have a combined letter-number system in which the letters represent the discipline/profession creating the sheet or what the sheet is about, or the trades to perform the work. The numbers typically indicate whether the sheet is Sitework, Floor Plans, Roof Plans, Elevations, Building Sections or other type of drawing, with the remaining number being the sequence in the set. For instance:
A2-1 : Survey, Overall.
A3-3: Architectural Floor Plan, Level 3.
A5-1: Architectural Roof Plan, sheet 1.
A6-4: Architectural Elevations, 4th sheet.
A7-2: Architectural Building Section, 2nd sheet.
A14-1: Architectural Master Numbered Note List.
A15-6: Specifications, sheet 6.

Read the full article to see what the other types of drawings are.

4. LEVEL OF DETAIL: As mentioned above, there is no set Level of Detail. Each Architect decides what is appropriate for each project as to number of sheets, how many details, and other aspects he or she feels is required to adequately illustrate the project. Of course, the Architect’s fee likely enters into this equation, but that is up to each company. To adequately depict a 3-story 3,500 HSF (Heated Square Foot) house, 39 sheets may be in the set, including the surveys, structural engineering and other sheet types. However, this can vary significantly. There is no set standard.

5. READING THE ARCHITECTURAL & OTHER SHEETS OF DRAWINGS: you really should read the main article to fully understand this part. You may see:
Title Sheet: possibly the project title, possible graphic illustration of the project main view.
Drawing Index: list of sheets in the set.
Abbreviations, Site Location, General Information: as indicated.
Survey(s) sheets: shows the property boundaries and possible topographic elements such as land contours.
Site Plan(s): often the Architect’s drawing of the proposed new facilities superimposed on a survey.
Floor Plans: the Architect’s illustration of the plan views of each level with dimensions, notes and other data.
Roof Plan(s): view of roof as seen from above.
Elevations: straight-on views of each of the main exterior faces of the house.
Building Sections: large vertical slices taken through the house, then looked at sideways.
Wall Section(s): enlarged portions of the Building Section or related sections of wall(s).
Schedules: Door & Finish: list of the doors and finishes used in the project. Possibly mini-elevations.
Casework and Cabinetry Elevations: enlarged detailed elevations of cabinetry, if paid for by Owner.
Details: enlarged details of various conditions in the projects.
Numbered Drawing Notes List: list of the majority of numbered key notes used throughout the set.
Specifications: text describing the various characteristics of the materials and systems used, possibly more.
Structural Documents: structural engineering, when using an engineer.

(continued below):

Electrical documents: typically schematic electrical item location plans and legend, if paid for by Owner.

and others, or less, depending on each project’s parameters.

Other public & professional resources with similar information may be found at:

WikiHow (How to Read an Architect’s Drawings).
ArCH: Architects Creating Homes: How to Read Architect’s Documents.
Contractor: Regarding having detailed construction documents: Koenig HomeBuilders.
Army: Army- Reading Blueprints
Home Architects: Precision Design Documents. This online article features quotes from multiple quality licensed Genral Contractors who prefer detailed Construction Documents.

Check with Rand@HomeArchitects.com to help you create your documents for your next house.