Overview
This lecture explains the differences between floor plans, building elevations, building sections, wall sections, and details commonly used in construction documents.
Floor Plans
- A floor plan is a horizontal slice through a building, typically 4 feet 6 inches above the finished floor.
- Floor plans show the arrangement of spaces and walls from a top-down view.
Building Elevations
- A building elevation is a vertical drawing that shows a straight-on view of the outside of a building.
- Elevations represent the external appearance of each side of the building.
Building Sections
- A building section is a vertical slice through the building, illustrating interior spaces and relationships between floors and walls.
- Sections show how different parts of the building connect vertically.
Wall Sections
- A wall section zooms in on a specific wall area to provide more detailed information about construction and materials.
- Wall sections are shown at a larger scale than general sections for clarity.
Details
- Details are highly magnified views focusing on specific construction components or connections.
- Details provide the most precise information within construction documents.
Common Features
- Floor plans, elevations, and building sections are usually drawn at the same scale for consistency and comparison.
- Wall sections and details use larger scales to show increased detail.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Floor Plan — a horizontal cut through a building, viewed from above.
- Elevation — a straight-on vertical view of the building’s exterior.
- Building Section — a vertical cut through a building, showing internal arrangements.
- Wall Section — an enlarged vertical cut through a specific part of a wall.
- Detail — a highly focused drawing showing intricate construction information.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review sample construction documents to identify and compare each drawing type.