Table of Contents
SECTION I. INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTING
1. Professional Architectural Careers, Office Practice, and Opportunities 2
Drafter/CAD Technician 2
Designer 5
Kitchen and Bath Designer 5
Interior Decorator 5
Interior Designer 6
Architect 7
Engineer 8
Related Fields 9
Design Basics 12
The Design Process 13
Additional Readings 32
Professional Architectural Careers, Office Practice, and Opportunities Test 33
2. Preparing for Success 34
Common Scales Used in Architecture 34
Metric and the Construction Industry 38
Common Types of Drawings 41
The Theory of Orthographic Projection 42
Drawing Layout Using a Computer 51
Additional Readings 53
Preparting for Success Test 54
3. Computer-Aided Design in Architecture 56
Managing Your Work Environment 56
Managing the Drawing Environment 57
Managing Drawing Properties with a Template 63
Managing Drawing Text 70
Managing Architectural Dimensioning 75
Common Alternatives to AutoCAD 87
Additional Readings 89
Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Test 90
4. Building Codes and Interior Design 92
National Codes 92
International Building Code 93
Basic Design Criteria for Building Planning 93
Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria 99
Accessibility 99
Additional Readings 106
Building Codes and Interior Design Test 108
5. Interior Design Considerations 109
Living Areas 109
Sleeping Areas 119
Service Area 122
Traffic Patterns 137
Providing Universal Accessibility 140
Additional Readings 142
Room Relationships and Sizes Test 144
6. Exterior Design Factors 145
Elements of Design 145
Principles of Design 148
Common Floor Plan Styles 149
Common Residential Styles 151
Additional Readings 166
Exterior Design Factors Test 167
7. Environmental Design Considerations 169
Zoning Considerations 169
Integration of the Home to the Site 174
Environmental Design Considerations 183
Additional Readings 185
Environmentally Friendly Design Test 186
SECTION II. SITE PLANS
8. Land Descriptions and Drawings 188
Legal Descriptions 188
Land Drawings 192
Site-Related Drawings 199
Additional Readings 205
Land Descriptions and Drawings Test 206
9. Site-Related Drawing Layout207
Project Storage Methods 207
Setting Site Plan Parameters 208
Completing a Site Plan 209
Completing a Topography Plan 212
Completing a Grading Plan 214
Completing a Profile Drawing 217
Site-Related Drawing Layout Test 221
Drawing Problems 222
SECTION III. FLOOR PLANS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DRAWINGS
10. Floor Plans-Symbols, Annotation, and Dimensions 226
Common Floor Plan Symbols 226
Representing Cabinets, Appliances, and Plumbing 239
Representing Steps, Stairways, and Railings 247
Representing a Fireplace and Chimney 250
Miscellaneous Floor Plan Symbols 256
Drawing Annotation 261
Placing Dimensions on a Floor Plan 269
Additional Readings 275
Floor Plan Symbols and Annotation Test 277
Drawing Problems 278
11. Completing a Floor Plan 279
Planning the Drawing 279
Drawing the Walls 281
Inserting Window Blocks 282
Inserting Door Blocks 286
Representing Cabinets 287
Placing Miscellaneous Symbols 288
Drawing Additional Floor Levels 292
Placing Annotation 292
Placing Dimensions 295
Title Block Text 298
Floor Plan Drawing Test 301
Drawing Problems 302
12. Electrical Plans 311
Electrical Distribution 311
Planning for Electrical Fixtures 315
Drawing an Electrical Plan 327
Additional Readings 341
Electrical Plans Test 342
13. Plumbing Systems 344
Delivery and Removal Materials 344
Fresh-Water Systems 247
Wastewater and Venting Systems 350
Fire-Suppression Systems 352
The Effects of the Plumbing System on the Framing System 353
Additional Readings 359
Plumbing Plans Test 360
14. Comfort Control Systems 361
Principles of Heat Transfer 361
Heating Systems 365
Cooling Systems 372
Improving Air Quality in the Home 373
Solar Systems 374
Additional Readings 379
Comfort-Control Systems 380
SECTION IV. ROOF PLANS
15 Roof Plan Components 382
Types of Roof Drawings 382
Common Roof Terms 385
Common Roof Shapes 390
Roof Materials398
Roof Ventilation and Access 403
Additional Readings 404
Roof Plan Components Test 405
16. Roof Plan Layout 40
Representing Roof Plan Components 406
Considerations in Drawing a Roof Plan 414
Drawing Plans for Gable Roofs 415
Drawing Plans for Hip Roofs 416
Roof Plan Layout Problems 420
SECTION V. ELEVATIONS
17. Introduction to Elevations 422
Planning Elevations 422
Representing Surface Materials in Elevation 427
Additional Readings 441
Introduction to Elevations Test 442
18. Elevation Layout and Drawing Techniques 443
Drawing Layout 443
Drawing Completion 453
Adding Annotation and Dimensions 456
Preparing for Plotting 457
Drawing Alternatives 458
Elevation Layout and Drawing Techniques Test 466
Problems ED 467
19. Interior Finishing Materials and Cabinets
Millwork 468
Cabinets 477
Additional Readings 488
Cabinet Elevations and Layout Test 489
SECTION VI. FRAMING METHODS AND PLANS
20. Framing Methods
Balloon Framing 492
Platform Framing 492
Structural Engineered Panels 496
Post-and-Beam Framing 497
Timber Construction 498
Steel Framing 498
Concrete Masonry Construction 501
Solid Masonry Construction 504
Insulated Concrete Form Construction 506
Modular Framing Methods 507
Green Construction 508
Additional Readings 511
Framing Methods Test 513
21. Structural Components
Floor Construction 514
Framed Wall Construction 522
Roof Construction529
Common Connection Methods 538
Environmentally Friendly Construction 546
Additional Readings 548
Structural Components Test 549
22. Design Criteria For Structural Loading
Types of Loads 551
Load Design 554
Load Distribution 554
Design Criteria for Structural Loading Test 558
23. Sizing Joists, Rafters, and Beams
Wood Characteristics of Structural Lumber
Loading and Support Patterns of Structural Members
Using Span Tables for Dimensional Lumber
Working with Engineered Lumber
Determining Simple Beam Sizes
Determining Beams with Complex Loads
Additional Readings
Sizing Joists, Rafters, and Beams Test
24. Drawing Framing Plans
Framing Drawings
Resisting Seismic and Wind Loads
Dimensions, Annotation, and Details
Completing a Framing Plan
Additional Readings
Framing Plan Test
SECTION VII. FOUNDATIONS PLANS.
25. Foundation Systems
Soil Considerations
Types of Foundations
Retaining Walls
Dimensioning Foundation Components
Additional Readings
Foundation Systems Test
26. Floor Systems and Foundation Support
On-Grade Floor Systems
Floor Systems Above a Crawl Space
Combined Floor Methods
Floor Systems and Foundation Support Test
27. Foundation Plan Layout
Drawing Planning
Concrete Slab Foundation Layout
Foundation Plan with Joist Construction
Standard Foundation with Post-and-Beam Floor System
Foundation-Plan Layout Test
SECTION VIII. DETAILS AND SECTIONS
28. Sectioning Basics
Types of Sections
Plotting Scales
Section Alignment
Representing and Locating Materials
Additional Readings
Sectioning Basics Test

29. Section Layout
Assembling Blocks
Creating Sections Without Blocks
Section Alternatives
Section Layout Test

30. Stair Construction and Layout
Stair Terminology
Determining Rise and Run
Straight Stair Layout
Open Stairway Layout
L- and U-Shaped Stairs
Additional Readings
Stair Construction and Layout Test
31. Fireplace Construction and Layout
Fireplace Terms
Energy-Efficient Fireplaces
Drawing a Fireplace Section
Fireplace ElevationsAdditional Readings
Fireplace Construction and Layout Test

SECTION IX. SUPPLEMENTAL DRAWINGS
32. Renovations, Remodeling, and Additions
Determining the Type of Project
Permit Requirements
Drawing Considerations for an Addition
Drawing the Existing Structure
Representing the Proposed Changes
Additional Readings
Renovations, Remodeling, and Additions Test