Introduction

Drawings serve as the primary language of architecture, from conveying conceptual ideas to mapping out technical design for construction. Understanding the diverse range of architectural drawings is crucial for architecture students and architects.

The ability to execute all types of architectural drawings will serve as a critical skill for creating a successful architecture project.

In this blog, you will learn all the main types of architecture drawings and the important features to include!

The Main Types of Architecture Drawings Explained in this Blog:

1. Types of Architectural Plans

2. Types of Architectural Elevations

3. Types of Architectural Sections

4. Types of Architectural Diagrammatic Drawings

1. Types of Architectural Plans   

What are Architectural Plans?

Architecture plans are a fundamental drawing type used across all design phases. Plans are created from a 2D top-down view to illustrate the spaces within a design. Architecture plans are used across a variety of scales and phases. Architecture plans are the starting point for any design that gradually become more refined and detailed as the project progresses.          

1.1, Location Plans

Location plans illustrate a zoomed-out 2D view outlining the project’s geographical placement. This type of plan showcases the relationship between the proposal and its context. A location plan is a fundamental architectural drawing that highlights orientation and placement.

1.2, Site Plans

An architectural site plan is more zoomed in than a location plan, detailing the immediate site context surrounding the proposal in moderate detail. Highlighting the landscaping, topography, and circulation within the site.

Site plans are also used for illustrating the spatial arrangement and functionality of the proposed architecture with its environment.

1.3, Floor Plans

Floor plans represent the layout of each level of your proposal. These architectural drawings include room sizes, dimensions, spatial relationships, circulation and movement within the architecture. They are essential for visualising the internal arrangement, and functionality of spaces.

1.4, Roof Plans

Roof plans are an overhead 2D view detailing the design of the roof articulation. It is important to outline pitches and gradients, materials, drainage and architectural features such as roof lights and services.

2 .Types of Architectural Elevations

What are architecture Elevations?

Architectural elevations are 2D representations of the building’s facades and interior walls. There are 3 main types of architectural elevations; exterior, interior and street elevations. This section of the blog will tell you what details to include in each of these architecture drawings.

2.1, Exterior Elevations

Exterior elevations are 2D drawings of the building’s facades, detailing the exterior architectural design language and aesthetics. These drawings should illustrate the articulation of architectural elements such as; proportions, fenestrations, structural details, style and patterns.

2.2, Interior Elevations

Interior elevations are 2D vertical drawings of the interior walls. These architectural drawings illustrate architectural elements such as; cabinets, fixtures, and other interior components, these drawings aid the visualization of the interior design.

2.3, Street Elevations

Street elevations show the relationship between your proposal and the neighbouring context. This type of architectural drawing provides information on the scale of the proposal, street characteristics, urban context and public spaces.

3. Types of Architectural Sections

3.1, Cross Sections

A cross-section is created by slicing across the building to create a view of the internal spaces and structure. The cut line usually extends to include the context in the section. Cross sections aid in demonstrating how the structure works. It also illustrates the relationships between internal spaces and exterior context.

3.2, Long Sections

Long sections are elongated views created by a longitudinal cut through the proposal and context.  Long sections and cross sections share the same principles. The main difference is that the cuts are perpendicular to each other. Together the two types of architecture drawings offer a lot of sectional information.

4. Types of Architectural Diagrammatic Drawings

4.1, Isometric Drawings

An Isometric drawing is a three-dimensional view of a building, that displays all three axes in equal angles. This type of architectural drawing is very diagrammatic as all three dimensions are drawn at full-scale.

4.2, Axonometric

Axonometric drawings showcase the building from a specific angle, focusing on the vertical and horizontal dimensions. Similar to an isometric drawing the 3D does not diminish in scale. Axonometric drawings aid in visualising spatial relationships and proportions within the proposal.

4.3, 3D Perspectives

3D perspectives create a ‘lifelike’ scene of the proposal within its context. Providing a realistic view of how the proposal will appear in its environment. A perspectival drawing or render creates depth with the use of one or multiple vanishing points. This type of architecture drawing can bring an architecture project to life allowing the viewer to envision the final product.

Conclusion

Mastering these various types of architectural drawings is a crucial skill every architect or architecture student must develop.

Developing the design of your architectural project using different types of architectural drawings shows your design decisions have been investigated in depth and considered from various viewpoints.

Presenting your project through these various architectural drawing methods allows you to represent your design from different viewpoints and scenes, with a variation of scale and detail. This will create a coherent body of work that is easy for a stakeholder to understand.  

Regular FAQs relating to Types of architectural drawings

1. Why are architectural drawings crucial in the design process?

Architectural drawings serve as a visual communication tool, to aid in conveying design intent and structural details to various stakeholders.

2. Are there software tools available for creating architectural drawings?

Yes, there are many architecture software options available like ArchiCAD, Revit, and SketchUp to facilitate the creation of architectural drawings. Each software has its strengths and weaknesses so research them before you begin to learn.

3. How do architectural drawings contribute to sustainable design?

Drawings enable architects to design environmentally friendly features into a project. A building should be optimised to its environment through a site analysis investigation and then represented through drawings.