A nice architectural concept is a beautiful thing.
However, no matter how good your concept is, in architecture it will eventually have to become a design.
That design will, in turn, have to be communicated to others in a coordinated set of drawings
and
information.
But what, exactly, does that mean?
Walk Through the Stages
Design to construction documents can be broken down into many phases depending on who you ask. For the sake of simplicity let’s walk through these steps chronologically:
Set the Design Intent
Every architectural design should start, first, with its design intent. This is usually expressed in the form of questions like those below:
What should the building look like?
How should the spaces relate to each other and the building’s environment?
What kind of experience should this space provide?
What language will this building be using?
Once your design intent has been set, it’s time to start designing.
Begin Developing the Drawings
With the design intent in mind, the architectural designers can start developing the designs to express said intent.
These drawings can take many forms but they almost always fall under the category of either communicating horizontal relationships (plans), vertical relationships (sections), or appearances (elevations).
They might also be used to develop details that explain how specific items will be constructed.
The most important thing about these drawings is that they all tell the same story.
Develop the BIM Model (if applicable)
If you’re using BIM to design your project, there’s a good chance that you’ve already been using software to build your model.
The next step, in this case, is to begin fully developing the model.
Most BIM software allows for multiple views to be developed from the same model so, if done correctly, this should ensure that all the documents are coordinated properly with each other.
Autodesk describes BIM as a process that helps architecture professionals “develop, document, visualize and coordinate building projects.”
Build the Plans, Elevations, and Sections
Now that your design is beginning to take shape it’s time to put the technical drawings together for this stage of the design.
This could include things like:
General Arrangement plans
Enlarged plans
Building sections
Wall sections
Interior elevations
Exterior elevations
Roof plans
Reflected ceiling plans
Once again, the important thing here is to make sure that the documents are telling the same story.
Add Construction Details
Construction details go hand-in-hand with plans, sections, and elevations.
While the latter three tell us what the building should be like, these fine details tell us how things will happen.
How will the wall meet the floor?
How will the window meet the wall?
How will the roof edge be detailed?
How will different materials be joined together?
How will this, or that, or the other thing be constructed?
This is all important information that shouldn’t be overlooked just because it’s small.
Coordinate Information Between Projects
Another one of the most important steps is to check that the information in these documents agrees with each other and, if applicable, neighboring disciplines.
The information from the architectural drawings will often need to be coordinated between disciplines like structural design, mechanical design, electrical design, plumbing design, interior design, and site design.
BIM coordination and open standards like the ones promoted by buildingSMART can help facilitate this process.
Review and Quality Control
Before sending your documents out, it’s important that they all be reviewed.
This might involve checking for missing information, odd or inconsistent dimensions, inconsistent or inaccurate notes, issues with your model, problems on sheets, or other potential issues that might arise.
This step may seem tedious but it’s important to make sure that an issue isn’t found after construction has already begun.
Construction Documentation Explained
Construction documents are essentially a way to communicate design intent from the architect to whoever will be constructing the building.
The two most important things to realize about this are:
An architect cannot assume anybody else knows what they mean
A great drawing will convey design intent just as well as any other document.
Construction documents serve to communicate your idea clearly to others.
Without them, your building may not be constructed the way that you’d like.
The Downfall of Poor Documentation
Poor documentation doesn’t always fail outright. Sometimes it just plants seeds of doubt, questions, and confusion.
It can cause delays, extra clarification, revisions, and even extra coordination.
A minor inconsistency in documentation can turn into an expensive construction error.
Because of this, documentation can be seen as an investment of time and resources that keeps other time and resources from being wasted.
The Value of Having an External Production Team
When it comes to architecture, designers and contractors are not the only players in the game.
You see, many architectural firms have at least one team of designers dedicated to CAD and/or BIM production.
However, this team is typically stretched thin trying to keep up with the needs of the rest of your company.
That’s why, for some firms, outsourcing this work can be beneficial.
An external production team can provide extra support if and when you need it to help get your CAD drawings, Revit models, construction documentation, or other BIM production completed.
This can help designers stay focused on their main job: being designers.
From Your Concept to Its Construction: A Look at Construction Documentation in Architecture
Architecture is a creative field. In order to do well in this field, however, it’s vital for designers to understand the value of precise technical documentation. That’s where Design Cast Services comes in.
Our team is dedicated to understanding your design intent so we can provide the technical production support you need to make it a reality.
