Architectural

Drawing
GRAPHICS 1
What are Architectural Drawings?

A r ch it ec t ural dra win g s ar e u s ed

b y a rc hi t ec t s a nd ot her s fo r a n umb e r of
p u rpo se s : to de ve lop a de s ig n i de a
i nt o a co he re nt p ro po s al , to
c om m un i c ate i de a s a n d co n ce pt s , to
c o nv i nce cl ien t s o f t he me r it s of a
de s ig n , to a s si st a b ui l di ng
c o nt ract or to co n st ru c t it b a sed on
de s ig n inte nt , as a reco rd of the
de s ig n a nd p l a n ned de ve lo pme nt , or
to m a ke a reco rd o f a b ui ld i ng t h at
already exists.

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Architectural Drafting Symbols

A r ch it ec t ural d ra wi ng s a r e i n te nd ed
t o com mu ni ca te d e sign i nt e ntio n s i n
a c lea r ma n ne r. T hi s can be b e st
p r e se n ted wi t h g rap hic s y mbol s a nd
w r i tt e n for m s. I nd u st r y s t a nda rd s
h ave b ee n d e velop ed t o p rov ide a
u n i ve r sal la ngu age of g rap hi c
s y m bol s a nd w rit t en fo rm s for
dif f er e nt de s ign com pa nie s a nd
b u i l d in g p r o f e s s ion als .

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LINE TYPES

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LINE TYPES

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LINE TYPES

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MATERIAL SYMBOLS

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ARCHITECTURAL GRAPHIC SYMBOLS

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ARCHITECTURAL GRAPHIC SYMBOLS

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 SECTION SYMBOLS

Section symbols are used to indicate where sections are cut. The section mark consists
of a ½” diameter circle, an arrow that indicates the view direction of sight which is filled
solid black, and two numbers (Figure 11). The upper number tells the section number
on the sheet and the lower number indicates the sheet number where the section is
drawn. Generally a section call-out is composed of two same section marks, one on
each end of the cutting plane line (Figure 12).

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 ELEVATION SYMBOLS

Elevation marks are used to indicate which direction and from which point on the floor
plan is drawn. The elevation mark consists of a ½” diameter circle, an arrow that
indicates of sight, and two numbers. The upper number tells the elevation number on
the sheet and the lower number indicates the sheet where the elevation is drawn.
Elevation marks can be placed at each spot for different elevation views, as shown
(Figure 14). Or multiple elevation symbols may be used for the elevation views that are
drawn from one middle spot of the space. (Figure 15).

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 ELEVATION DATUM

Elevation data are used to indicate a level line control point. An elevation datum has
three parts. Farthest from the drawing is a ¼” diameter circle with two lines crossing
inside horizontally and vertically, and the upper right part and lower part are filled with
solid black. Above the horizontal line stretched out from the middle of the circle is a
description of a point where a level is measured such as ceiling line, grade line, or
finished floor plan. The actual elevation that is the height of the point is described below
the horizontal line (Figure 21). An elevation datum is generally used for exterior
elevations.

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DOOR & WINDOW NUMBER SYMBOLS

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 ARCHITECTURAL
DRAWING
SAMPLE

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