Architects & Builders www.charchitect.com
From Architect’s Desk
Developing a Complete Set of Plans ….Many different types of architectural drawings are required to provide the necessary information to build a House….
Chester C. Chlebek – Licensed Architect
Ph: (708)- 358-0555; Fax: (708) 358-0111; email: info@charchitect.com
1
Who’s who in Homebuilding?
BUILDER OF GENERAL CONTRACTOR The buck stops with him or her in construction projects. The GC secures bids for all work and materials: hires, coordinate and oversees subcontractors, files for permits and arranges for inspections, and generally makes the final decisions in all construction-related matters.
BUILDING INSPECTOR One or more local officials who oversees and regulate every phase of residential construction.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER The general contractor’s right hand man. Owner-builders should consider hiring a qualified manager to help plan organize.
OWNER BUILDER That’s you. An individual or family who finances and manages a homebuilding project with the intension of retaining ownership and residing in the home after completion.
SUBCONTRACTOR A specialist who undertakes responsibility for one phase or trade within the project and reports to the general contractor. In a typical homebuilding project subcontractors generally include: an excavation contractor who digs foundations and grades the site, masonry contractor who handles all concrete, block, brickwork and paving, a framing contractor, a roofing contractor, a heating, a plumbing, an electrical , drywall installers, finish carpenters. 2
Architectural Plans:
Architect - use them to work through the design approach with their clients.
Lenders - use them to assess the value of the home you’re going to finance.
Building Department - review plans before issuing a permit to make sure they conform to code and zoning rules.
Contractors and subcontractors - use the information There is no mystery to planning, financing, scheduling, negotiating or managing construction- just preparation and diligence.
in architectural plans to work up bids for labor and materials.
Workers on the job - use them as a virtual instruction manual
3
A complete Set of Plans An Architect prepare full set of plans that includes many different kinds of drawings. Building Department will require; Foundation plan, floor plans, elevation views of each exterior wall of the house, cross section(s) details, and full engineering information like mechanical, electrical, HVAC, energy calculation sheet etc.
It’s essential as an owner –builder That you understand the symbolic language of architectural plans.
A complete set of plans also includes several different lists of specifications, for item like for windows and doors.
The Site Plan A site plan shows the location and orientation of new home, along with its relation to roads, and all utilities, as you were looking down on them from above. Contours lines describe the original lay of the land and indicate where land is to be change in formation that tells the excavator and plumber how the paving and septic leach field should be constructed to ensure that they drain away from the house. Site plans also depict the location of trees existing or transplanted to give you a bird’s eye view of how vegetation can work with site orientation to provide a shade or privacy buffer. The site plan can also become the basic for a landscaping.
A site plan provides a bird’s eye view of the lot , complete with natural futures and land contours.
4
Floor Plans Floor plan shows the shape of the house as you would see it from directly above , the position of interior walls , door windows and all fixtures. Looking down on your home from this lofty perspective, the relationship between communal space and private areas become more clear.
A multi level home requires separate floor plans for each floor. Analysis of floor plans enable you to envision traffic patterns within the house. As you mentally move from one space to the next on the plans, examine the direction of door swings, the size of opening , traffic patterns and ease of movement between various levels of the house.
Futures depicted on the floor plan with broken lines lie on a plane above the floor level. These include unusual items such as fold down ironing boards and Murphy beds, along with more common details, such as archways and closet shelves. Recessed or vaulted ceiling treatments appears as dotted lines to show the dimensions of beams.
A floor plan shows the shape of the house and the layout of rooms as seen from above. Floor plans also indicate the position of windows, doors, plumbing fixtures and appliances along with many dimensions.
5
Framing and Sections
Framing plans bring the skeleton of the home into the foreground. Architect create magnified detail drawings of the most difficult architectural futures- dormers, roof, floors, and exterior walls with extensive window and door openings. With a basic understanding of the symbols used by architect you can assess important details pertaining to various structural components, insulation and subflooring.
A reputable builder should be allow to improvise when a future that looks good on paper simply won’t work as planned. In the ideal scenario, your builder and architect work as team through the construction process, solving problems on the fly while staying as thru to the original plans as possible. 6
Elevations Elevations are two dimensional drawings of objects shown as if you were standing directly in front of them. Elevation view are most often used to indicate how complex features of the house will look exterior walls with doors and windows, build in cabinets or the fireplace mantel. Elevation illustrate surface future , transitions between material and unusual elements such as column or cupolas etc. Sometimes architect may leave a few of the elevation details open to later adjustment.
Mechanical and Electrical Plans Architect supply all the information necessary for plumber , heating and ventilation contractors and electricians to do their jobs properly. It is best design approach when all additional engineering is provide at the design stage, when full architectural drawing are provided. Carpenter needs to know how supply lines , drains, and ductwork will be run to dedicated spaces. Some elements, may not require any special instructions. For example plumber need only study the floor plan and locate toilets, showers and sinks. Heating and ventilation systems, however, present a greater challenge as well as electrical contractor. The key to a strong, weather tight home lies in the sheathing, insulation, air and vapor-barrier details. 7
Kitchen and Bathroom often require a complete set of drawings unto themselves.
Kitchen and Bath Plans Architect may prepare floor plans, elevation view of each wall, mechanical plans, and detail renderings of the tile , and other interior part of your future home. Some kitchen cabinets suppliers and bathroom fixture sellers often provide complete bath and kitchen details . But if your kitchen suppliers do not provide such a services, it may be worth the extra expense to ask architect to provide them. Specifications Specification include guidelines about materials to be used, along with other information not displayed on the drawings. On small projects specifications typed on the same pages as construction drawings. More detailed homes may warrant the creation of a separate project manual booklet. In either case, the specifications should meet the high standards of quality craftsmanship.
CH + Architects, Ltd. As a full Design + Build services we apply advanced Design and Construction practices and progressive management techniques to meet the current and future demands of our customers. Our Customers are who are seeking Sustainable Design, Construction, Renovation, Remodeling and Project Management as an integral part of their overall success. In essence, we provide quality results in Green Design and Commercial Development for our Customers. All services in schematic design development, construction documentation, and construction documentation with full project execution are provided. The firm is committed to maintaining an inspired and creative people that meets our clients’ needs. We continued growth and balance of small and large projects provides them with an expending portfolio of work.
Call: (708)-358-0555 or email info@charchitect.com
8