Architecture and Building Design Essentials

Complying with Local Building Codes and Regulations

• Ensure residential buildings are legally and safely constructed by staying informed about building codes, zoning laws, and regulations

Cost Considerations

• Balance design aspirations with budget constraints by prioritizing features based on budget and exploring cost-effective materials and construction methods

Cultural and Societal Context

• Design elements that align with local culture and community needs to create a residence that fits seamlessly into its surroundings

Understanding Seasonal and Climatic Conditions

• Consider temperature extremes, humidity levels, wind loads, snow loads, seismic activity, sun path, and solar exposure to design structures that can withstand environmental challenges
• Implement design provisions, such as insulation, moisture control, ventilation, and shading, to regulate indoor temperatures and prevent mold and dampness

Regional Rules and Regulations

• Research and comply with local building codes, zoning regulations, permitting process, environmental regulations, fire codes, accessibility standards, structural requirements, energy codes, and waste management regulations

Types of Plans

• Site plan: illustrates the entire property, including buildings, landscape features, and site elements
• Block plan: focuses on a specific block or area within a larger development
• Floor plan: represents a horizontal section through a building at a specific level
• Elevation plan: depicts the vertical view of a building's facades
• Section plan: shows a vertical cut through a building, revealing interior details
• Detail plan: zooms in on a specific area of a larger plan to provide detailed information
• Roof plan: illustrates the layout of a building's roof
• Foundation plan: shows the layout of the foundation of a building
• Landscaping plan: focuses on the outdoor areas surrounding a building
• HVAC plan: displays the layout of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
• Electrical plan: shows the layout of electrical systems within a building
• Plumbing plan: illustrates the layout of plumbing systems
• Reflected ceiling plan (RCP): displays the ceiling layout, including lighting and ceiling-mounted elements
• Furniture layout plan: specifies the placement of furniture within a space
• Demolition plan: shows the areas of a building or site that will be demolished or removed
• Fire escape plan: illustrates emergency evacuation routes and locations of fire safety features

Importance of Building Drawings

• Building drawings serve as a means of communication between stakeholders involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of structures
• Drawings facilitate effective communication, support construction planning and documentation, ensure compliance with regulations, and contribute to the overall success and quality of construction projects

Selection of Scales for Various Drawings

• Consider type of drawing, size of the drawing sheet, level of detail, accuracy requirements, printing or reproduction considerations, drawing purpose and audience, standard scales, drawing complexity, spatial considerations, practicality and usability, budget constraints, regulatory requirements, and collaboration requirements when selecting scales for various drawings### Historical Practices and Scales in Drawing
• Historical practices within an industry or region can influence the choice of scales for drawings
• Selecting the appropriate scale involves considering various factors, including capturing necessary details and ensuring practicality in presentation and use

Types of Lines and their Applications

• Continuous Line: used for outlining objects and defining shapes with a continuous and unbroken line
• Straight Line: represents straight edges or boundaries, often used in architectural and engineering drawings
• Curved Line: represents curves, arcs, or rounded forms, commonly used in artistic drawings and organic shapes
• Horizontal Line: indicates horizon, stability, or calmness, commonly used in landscapes and architectural drawings
• Vertical Line: suggests strength, stability, and height, frequently used in architectural drawings to represent walls or columns
• Diagonal Line: implies movement, tension, or dynamic action, used to create a sense of energy or instability
• Dashed Line: represents hidden or obscured edges, boundaries, or features, often used for construction lines or to indicate movement
• Dotted Line: similar to dashed lines, used for hidden or less prominent features, also used in technical drawings for precision
• Contour Line: defines the outer edges or contours of an object, commonly used in artistic drawings, particularly in the representation of three-dimensional forms

Methods of Dimensioning in Architectural Drawing

• Aligned Dimensioning: dimensions are aligned with the features they are measuring, commonly used for linear dimensions
• Linear Dimensioning: dimensions are placed in a straight line with extension lines leading from the feature being measured, suitable for dimensions along straight or angular features
• Angular Dimensioning: specifies the angle between two lines or surfaces, used to define angles between walls, slopes, or any other angular features
• Radial Dimensioning: dimensions are applied to circles or arcs, indicating their radius or diameter, commonly used for features such as circular windows, columns, or rounded elements
• Ordinate Dimensioning: dimensions are referenced from a common baseline or origin point, effective for detailing the positions of features in relation to a central point or axis
• Baseline Dimensioning: dimensions are measured from a single baseline, simplifying alignment, useful for linear dimensions when features are parallel to each other
• Chain Dimensioning: multiple dimensions are linked together in a chain, providing cumulative measurements, useful for dimensioning multiple features in a continuous sequence
• Datum Dimensioning: a single reference point or line is used as a datum, and all other dimensions are measured from it, providing a clear reference for all other dimensions in the drawing
• Parallel Dimensioning: dimensions are placed parallel to each other, simplifying the reading of dimensions, ensures clarity when dimensions run parallel to each other

Abbreviations and Graphical Symbols in Civil Engineering Drawing

• Abbreviations:
  • RL: Reduced Level, indicates the elevation or height of a point
  • BM: Bench Mark, a permanent reference point of known elevation
  • C.L.: Centre Line, denotes the centerline of a structure or element
  • F.F.L.: Finished Floor Level, specifies the elevation of the completed floor surface
  • DPC: Damp Proof Course, a layer in a wall to prevent rising damp
  • RCC: Reinforced Cement Concrete, a common construction material
  • C.C.: Cement Concrete, indicates plain concrete without reinforcement
  • O.C.: On Center, refers to measurements from the center of one element to the center of the next
  • B.O.Q.: Bill of Quantities, a document specifying the quantities and types of work to be done in a construction project
• Graphical Symbols:
  • Symbol for Concrete:
  • Symbol for Brickwork:
  • Symbol for Earthwork:
  • Symbol for Masonry:
  • Symbol for Steel:
  • Symbol for Woodwork:

First Angle and Third Angle Projection

• First Angle Projection:
  • Arrangement of Views: object - plane of projection - observer
  • Symbolic Representation: right-angled triangle
  • Common in: Europe, Asia, Australia, and most countries outside North America
• Third Angle Projection:
  • Arrangement of Views: object - plane of projection - observer
  • Symbolic Representation: equilateral triangle
  • Common in: North America
• Comparison:
  • Aspect: First Angle Projection vs. Third Angle Projection
  • Arrangement of Views: object - plane of projection - observer
  • Symbolic Representation: right-angled triangle vs. equilateral triangle
  • Common in: Europe, Asia, Australia, and most countries outside North America vs. North America

Layout of Sheet for Civil Engineering Drawing

• Title Block: contains information such as project title, drawing number, date, and the names of the designer and approving authority
• Border Lines: form the outer boundary of the sheet, framing the drawing
• Revision Block: indicates any revisions or changes made to the drawing over time
• Scale: indicates the scale of the drawing, helping in the interpretation of dimensions
• North Arrow: shows the orientation of the drawing with respect to the geographic north
• Notes and Legends: provide additional information or explanations regarding symbols, abbreviations, or specific details on the drawing
• Drawing Views: present orthographic projections or isometric views of the object or structure being represented
• Dimensions: clearly indicate dimensions using appropriate lines and arrows
• Sectional Views (if applicable): show cross-sections or internal details of the object or structure
• Symbols and Abbreviations: include graphical symbols and abbreviations relevant to civil engineering standards
• Grid Lines (optional): aid in locating specific points on the drawing
• Material Specifications (if applicable): mention the type and specifications of materials used in construction

Requirements of Drawing and Documents for Plan Sanctioning Authorities

• Site Plan:
  • Purpose: provides an overview of the entire property and its surroundings
  • Requirements: property boundaries, location and dimensions of existing structures, setbacks from property lines, access points and driveways, landscaping and open spaces
• Floor Plans:
  • Purpose: illustrate the layout and dimensions of each floor of the proposed structure
  • Requirements: room layout and dimensions, door and window locations, staircases and elevators, plumbing fixtures, built-in furniture
• Elevations:
  • Purpose: depict the external views of the building from different perspectives
  • Requirements: exterior features (walls, windows, doors), roof design, materials and finishes, height dimensions
• Sections:
  • Purpose: show vertical cut-through views of the building to illustrate interior details
  • Requirements: structural elements, wall composition, floor and ceiling heights, building services (plumbing, electrical)
• Foundation Plan:
  • Purpose: illustrate the layout and details of the foundation
  • Requirements: footing details, foundation walls, piles or piers, if applicable
• Roof Plan:
  • Purpose: provide details about the design and layout of the roof
  • Requirements: roof shape and slope, roof coverings, roof openings (skylights, chimneys)
• Details and Specifications:
  • Purpose: provide specific details about construction methods and materials
  • Requirements: construction details for critical elements, materials specifications, compliance with relevant building codes and standards
• Structural Drawings:
  • Purpose: detail the structural components of the building
  • Requirements: structural framing, column and beam details, foundation details, structural calculations, if required
• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) Drawings:
  • Purpose: illustrate the layout of HVAC systems
  • Requirements: ductwork layout, HVAC equipment locations, ventilation pathways

FSI and TD

• FSI - Floor Space Index:
  • Definition: a measure used in urban planning and zoning regulations to determine the maximum allowable construction on a given piece of land
  • Formula: FSI = Total Floor Area / Total Plot Area
  • Interpretation: an FSI of 1.0 means that the total floor area of the building(s) is equal to the total area of the plot
• TD - Total Development:
  • Definition: a term used to refer to the comprehensive development of a piece of land, considering various factors such as buildings, infrastructure, landscaping, and amenities
  • Components: built-up area, open spaces, infrastructure, and amenities
  • Interpretation: TD considers the overall impact of development on the environment, community, and infrastructure