Architecture vs. Engineering Drawing
Architecture vs. Engineering Drawing: The Differences
Project owners who are unfamiliar with the building design process are often surprised at the vast number of drawings it takes to create a building design and construction drawing set.
It’s important for project owners who are about to take on their first building project to know that there are many different types of drawings they’ll need to view and approve in order for the project to get started.
From site plans to floor plans to mechanical drawings, here is a guide to the differences between the architecture drawings and engineering drawings that project owners can expect to see throughout the design-build process.
What Are Architecture Drawings?
Some architecture drawings are presentation drawings, which are initial drawings created in the earliest stage of the project. As the project moves forward, more detailed drawings are created, all the way to final illustrations that become a part of the final construction drawing set.
As part of the architectural design process, architects create a series of detailed drawings that capture the overall appearance of a building, including what it will look like on the inside and the outside.
To give project owners a greater sense of how the finished product will look, architects use software programs such as AutoCAD or REVIT to create the following different types of architecture drawings:
Site plans
Elevations and building facades
Cross-section drawings
Three-dimensional perspective drawings
Floor plans
Renderings
This is what each type entails and the purpose it serves:
Site Plans
Of all the different types of architecture drawings, site plans are some of the easiest to read, as they’re a large-scale aerial view of the entire build site.
Site plans include where structures will be located as well as where existing roads lie, where sidewalks exist or will be added, and where driveways or parking lots will go.
Some site plans detail elements related to civil engineering as well, such as access and connection to existing sewage systems, water lines, electrical and gas utilities, and telecommunications utilities.
The site plan is the complete overview of the entire property, allowing the project owner to see how the whole site will look when completed.
Elevations And Building Facades
Elevation drawings are two-dimensional graphics that show the projection of the building facade. Because each side of a structure may have its own look or elevation, these drawings are often drafted in sets of four to show the elevation from north, south, east, and west views.
Elevation drawings are important in assessing the structure's exterior features, particularly the height, width, and location of doors and windows.
Architects also use them to gauge how much natural sunlight will flood the space, as well as how one or more sides of the building will be subject to wind.
Cross-Sections
Cross-section drawings show what the structure would look like if you cut it in half vertically. These show the height and overall scale of the building from the outside on a vertical plane, as well as what rooms and spaces are on the inside.
Compared to elevation drawings, cross-section drawings have the same perspective yet appear as though there is no building facade on the front, providing a glimpse into how the elevation relates to the interior features.
Three-Dimensional Perspective Drawings
3D perspective drawings are unique in that, unlike many architecture drawings, they are three-dimensional to give a sense of how all sides of the building relate to one another.
Perspective drawings give the project owner a sense of what the volume of the space will feel like in person at eye level.
They are designed from the perspective of what the viewer will see with their own eyes, as opposed to cross-section drawings or aerial depictions that the viewer will never actually see in reality.
Floor Plans
Floor plans provide an aerial view but detail the interior of each room and each space within the structure.
They include:
Exact dimensions of each space
Labels to indicate which room is which
Where doors and windows are located
Placement of fixtures and appliances (including toilets and fireplaces)
While all architecture drawings are important, the floor plan is one of the most important for the client. Knowing the layout means they can decide if it is practical to their daily needs.
Renderings
While architectural renderings are not necessary for every project, they allow project owners to see a more realistic interpretation of what the final product will be, as opposed to the other types of architecture drawings that read more like diagrams.
Renderings can be hand-drawn or computer-generated, though computer-generated designs are the standard.
Renderings allow the architect the chance to input all sorts of details, including:
Volume of interior spaces
Layout of interior spaces
General materials used
For project owners, renderings are often the best way to get a sense of the final result long before construction begins.
Who Creates Architecture Drawings?
Architects are responsible for creating architecture drawings in the preliminary and early stages of the architectural design process. They are made primarily for the benefit of the project owner and serve as a way to communicate ideas and options to the client.
Project owners can expect to view multiple sets of interior and exterior building drawings throughout the early stages of the process.
They will ultimately have to choose and approve the design they want so that everyone can move on to the project's next phase.
Architecture drawings are also shared with other team members, including engineers and contractors. Architecture drawings are used to develop engineering drawings and create a full picture of what the structure should look like when it’s complete.
Read more: An Inside Look At The Architectural Design Process
What Are Engineering Drawings?
Unlike architecture drawings that depict how the building will look, engineering drawings explain how it will be built.
Engineering drawings depict every different part of the building, including the types of materials to be used, where building systems will be located, and all pertinent structural details that the contractors and subcontractors will need to build the structure.
The main types of engineering drawings are:
Structural drawings
Electrical drawings
Mechanical drawings
Civil engineering drawings
Here’s a breakdown of what these four types of engineering drawings focus on:
Structural Drawings
Structural drawings include the dimensions of the structure, including the height and width of walls and floors in each interior space. They also identify the basic details of certain building materials, such as concrete foundations, wood, and steel.
Additionally, structural drawings detail the types of materials that will be used as well as the type of reinforcement steel or rebar necessary in construction.
Like some architecture drawings, structural drawings are also referred to as working drawings. These show the main structure and structural details only, and follow the architecture drawings in the construction set. These drawings provide the details that contractors need to know during the building construction process.
Related: Structural Remodels - What to Know
Electrical Drawings
Electrical drawings are sometimes referred to as wiring diagrams. These map out the placement of the electrical and lighting in the structure, including the location of every circuit, switch, and outlet — as well as how and where the wires will run for telecommunication and security system installation.
Electrical drawings also state how much voltage each circuit delivers and how much each outlet can handle.
Mechanical Drawings
With the exception of the electrical system, mechanical drawings map out various aspect of other building systems in the structure, such as:
Plumbing systems
Heating systems
Air conditioning systems
Mechanical drawings are usually labeled with identifying markers such as M-1, M-2, and M-3.
They include the precise placement and location of:
Mechanical equipment
Thermostats
Exhaust fans
Supply and return air ducts
Baseboard vents or radiators
Smoke detectors
Pipe connections to utility gas lines
Pipe connections to utility water lines
Civil Engineering Drawings
Civil engineering drawings focus on the elements of the building site itself in terms of:
Site grading
Utilities connections
Site layout
Along with other engineering drawings, civil engineering drawings are a crucial part of the construction drawing set.
Engineering Drawings are Technical Drawings
Engineering drawings are technical drawings used by contractors, engineers, architects, and other members of the project management team through the process of designing and erecting a structure.
While some project owners like to analyze engineering drawings in-depth, they are intended more for the use of other experts on the team, including the contractors and construction crews. However, it is important the project owners review all drawings that are part of the construction set.
Who Creates Engineering Drawings?
The various types of engineering drawings include many technical specifications, so each is the responsibility of the engineer in that given field:
Structural drawings are drafted by structural engineers
Electrical drawings are drafted by electrical engineers
Mechanical drawings are drafted by mechanical engineers
For construction projects that require specially-prefabricated pieces, contractors also generate shop drawings for the fabricator to make the necessary parts. Shop drawings are necessary for any work that is to be performed away from the construction site before the project begins.
Though project owners will view engineering drawings throughout the design and construction process, engineering drawings are mainly used as construction drawings for the general contractors and construction team that will physically build the structure.
Engineering drawings are also part of the comprehensive set of documents created in the construction documents phase of the architectural design process. Along with most architecture drawings, these drawings get submitted for permitting to the local jurisdiction.
Read more: Top Reasons Your Project Needs A Commercial Engineer
How Architecture And Engineering Drawings Work Together
Project owners can expect to view many sets of drawings from both the engineers and architects working on their build. All of these drawings are essential, and they all work together.
The process requires that both engineers and architects create a progressive set of construction documents. The final version submitted for building permits includes all of the details from the various engineering disciplines involved to create a final set.
Having multiple finished drawings allows project owners and leaders to focus on specific elements at a time. These elements will come together in one cohesive design once the structure is built to code.
Viewing these many different types of drawings can be overwhelming for some project owners, particularly those that have never worked on a complete design-build before.
ZP Architects & Engineers in Denver, Colorado is a full-service firm that makes it easy for clients to design the structure they want and enjoy the services of a complete team of experts.
With architects, structural engineers, and civil engineers on staff, ZP Architects works closely with project owners to discuss and approve architecture drawings, engineering drawings, and all other elements of the project.
Conclusion
For project owners embarking on a new building design or remodel, knowing a bit about the difference between architecture drawings and engineering drawings can be a huge benefit.
Having some knowledge beforehand makes it simpler to know what you’re looking at when presented with drawings. It also makes it easy to know early on that the final build will meet your ultimate design goals.
