Architectural drafting is the key to success behind any construction/renovation or extension project. The moment you connect with an architect, he works over the design and the other technicalities regarding the feasibility of the project and to turn it into a grand success. The sketches and designs are developed into technical drawings popularly known as architectural drafting. Let’s dig deeper and understand what is architectural drafting, the process, and its importance.
What is Architectural Drafting
Architectural drafting is the process of creating technical drafts and other detailed drawings for a building. These drawings serve as the language of communication between professionals such as architects, builders, and engineers. A drafter processes the ideas of the architects into tangible drawings for the building. These drafts serve as a roadmap for construction/renovation projects and aid in the realization of the proposed architectural design.
These CAD (Computer Aided Drawings) are generally created by CAD drafting companies, professional drafters, architects, and other professionals having expertise in creating architectural drafts. This technique helps in communicating the design ideas technically to the professionals involved, further aiding in the perfect development of the project. The reason behind the development of architectural drafts is to convey the
- Design intent
- Dimensions
- Layout
- Materials
- Other specifications such as electrical, plumbing etc.
All the information is easily compiled into construction documents and is shared with all the stakeholders involved such as contractors, developers, builders, and even regulatory authorities. Let’s have a look at the importance of this technical drafting process for architecture.
Importance of Architectural Drafting
Architectural drafting is a quintessential part of any design and construction process followed for achieving flawless buildings and project management. There are countless reasons that state the importance of architectural drafting, here are some prominent ones:
- Enhance Communication – Architectural drafts enable the engineers and architects to convey their ideas as well as designs visually to the contractors and other stakeholders. The detailed drawings and plans ensure that everyone involved in the construction process is fully aware of the technicalities and understands the entire scope of the work.
- Exact and Detailed Measurements – Do you know even a small error in mm (millimetres) can lead to major flaws down the line? The technical drawings give a detailed analysis of the measurements as well as other technical specifications. This ensures that precision is maintained, and accuracy is achieved.
- Abiding to Compliance Norms – The architectural drafts clearly showcase that the designs and plans are made according to the building codes and other legal regulations. All the zoning laws, safety guidelines and construction standards are clearly shown in them.
- Saves Time and Money – The architectural drafting process makes sure that the design process is optimized. This certainly helps in saving a lot of money, time, and resources. The reason is simple technical drawings ensure coverage of even the minutest of details.
- Facilitates Collaboration – Architectural drafts are the common language for all technical people such as engineers, architects, and builders across the globe. This propels better collaboration, visualization, and communication.
What is the Process of Architectural Drafting?
So far, we have understood how important architectural drafting in any construction project is. Let’s have a look at how things work by understanding the process of architectural drafting.
- Analyzing the Site – The process starts when a client (residential or commercial builder or homeowner) approaches an architect to understand the practical elements and feasibility scenario of the project. The architect analyzes the site. He works over the locational factors, neighbourhood, slope, access to utilities, vegetation, and more. This works over the goals and requirements for the project by understanding the client’s vision and expectations for the building.
- Sketches and Early Drawings – Based on the input received from the client, an architect works over schematic designs such as diagrams, sketches etc. These sketches include the basic foundations, spatial relationships, and other forms of building plans. Thereby, covering the entire concept.
- Development of Drawings into Designs – Once the drawings and sketches are done, these are shared with the architectural drafter to convert them into technical drawings. The technical drawings contain more details including materials, plans, elevations, construction details etc. Other aspects of the designs such as plumbing, mechanical, structural, and electrical are also included as well as coordinated.
- Finalizing Construction Documents – All the architectural drawings are compiled as construction documents and handed over. This helps the construction contractors to get an estimate on the costs and finally construct the building according to the blueprints. These documents include sections, floor plans, sections, elevations and other specifications for finishes and materials. Also known as CD, they help the contractors to make the best bid and also help the clients to finalize the best bidder.
- Project Completion – The architect oversees the entire project management and makes sure that the constructed building is according to the drafts prepared. Any changes if noticed are made in the final set of drawings as well.
Extensive collaboration between the client, architect, draftsman along with the contractor is required that make sure that the design is brought to reality in the exact way.
Types of Architectural Drafts
The architectural designs are prepared with the help of CAD software. Let’s have a look at some of the common types of architectural drafts that are required in any project.
- Floor Plans – Floor plans represent the interior of the building. It contains details on MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and plumbing systems), and spatial arrangement between walls, windows, doors etc. Usually, these drawings are made in 2D, but nowadays, these drawings are made in 3D as well.
- Site Plans – A site plan is basically an aerial view of the proposed building along with its neighbourhood. It also marks roads, green areas, water areas etc.
- Cross-Sectional – This type of construction drawing illustrates various elements that are visible as well as hidden. This 2D drawing is shown as if the building was sliced.
- Elevation Drawings – These CAD drafts usually capture the exterior of the building from various angles such as front, back and side.
- As-built Architectural Drafts – These architectural drafts are the revision drawings that tell changes on how the constructed building differs from the original drafts.
- Shop drawings – These are dedicated drawings for the millwork especially with metal and wood. These technical drawings cover all joinery details as well. They are mainly done for cabinets and other millwork.
Renderspoint is one of the leading 3D architectural visualization companies that help you get the best 3D renders and models for your project. Reach out to us to give life to your 2D drafts and drawings and make the visualization process more effective.
