What Sorts of Diagrams are Used?

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The sorts of diagrams that the architect or building designer will make will depend on the type of house that’s being built. Below are a few of the sorts of plans that you’ll likely see, and an explanation of what they represent:

• Site plans – these map out the building site, including the slopes and gradients, as well as things like trees and rocks and the immediate area around the site. Site plans are generally supplied in twos, including a ‘before’ plan that shows the site as it is, and an ‘after’ plan that shows the precise location of the proposed construction.
• Floor plans – these are a detailed top-down view of the layout of the house. Floor plans give a good idea of where everything will go and include information about the sorts of materials and products that will be used.
• Elevations – Elevations are diagrams of the house showing how it will look from one particular side. Interior elevations may also be used to give a better idea of how a particular part of the interior should look.
• Wall sections – These diagrams are a cross-cut section of a given part of the house, designed to give a very detailed look at how the house is put together. In these diagrams you can expect to see how framing, wall surfaces, sheathing, foundations, roofs, and many other things are arranged.
• Framing plans – To ensure that the house is structurally sound, it’s important that the framing is appropriately designed and built. Framing plans detail the way that house frames need to be built.
• Shadow diagrams – These diagrams are used to show what kinds of shadows the proposed building will cast, both on your own property and on your neighbours’ yards. Shadow diagrams usually depict the shadow at its ‘extremes’ (e.g. winter equinox)

Construction drawings document what building materials are to be used and accurately describe the proposed works. These drawings are not a ‘how to’ guide for a builder but a detailed description of the final product.

The drawings are broadly broken down into the following categories:
* Plans – depict the horizontal relationship between building elements and can be broken down into the following categories:
 * Site Plans – describe the proposed building in relation to the adjoining properties
 * Floor Plans – describe the proposed buildings in relation to the floor
 * Reflected Ceiling Plans – describe the proposed building in relation to the ceiling
 * Electrical Plans – describe the placement of lights, power outlets and switches
 * Finishes Plans – locate the placement of finishes within the building
* Sections – show the vertical relationship between building elements
* Elevations – depict the external faces of the building
* Internal Elevations – depict the internal walls, locate joinery units and any other notable features
* Details – call out specific aspects of the building and describes their design (e.g. How a wall and floor junction should meet, or a wall and ceiling junction)
 * Window and Door Schedules – describe each individual window and door in the building, specify glass types, wind loads, frame types, door types etc
 * Existing Conditions – drawings document the site before any works have commenced (necessary for renovations and additions)
 * Demolition Drawings – describe the extent of demolition required (necessary for renovations and additions)

Once these drawings have been completed and the work of the consultants integrated (See Typical Consultants section) the documents are submitted to a Building Surveyor who grants a Building Permit and construction can commence.