Graphics architecture

Facade

outer face/front of a building. Most decorated part.

Elevation

Scaled 2D drawing to show one side of a building.

Floor plan

A scaled drawing

Section

scaled drawing to show internals.

Site plan

A scaled drawing that shows the relationship between a building and its surrounding like roads.

Detail drawing

A larger drawing to highlight a specific detail.

Scale

ratio between size of an object in a drawing and reality.

Rendering

realistic image

CAD (computer aided design)

computer software used to design architectural designs and drawings.

Architectural symbols

symbols used to represent different things.

Sustainability

minimize environmental impact and increase efficiency use of resources.

Zoning

laws controlling characteristics of buildings like size and density.

Load-bearing wall

A wall supporting building weight to transfer load onto foundation.

Cantilever

A structural element stretching beyond its support to create overhanging structures like roofs.

Foundation

base/support structure to transfer building weight to ground.

Cladding

exterior finish (like brick

Roof pitch

angle of a roof; basically the gradient.

Eaves

overhanging portion of roof.

Fenestration

arrangement and design of opening in the façade.

Atrium

a large open central space

Parapet

a low wall or barrier at the edge of overhanging structures.

Column

pillar supporting the structure.

Beam

horizontal structure that spans an opening or provides support.

Truss

A framework of interconnected bars and rods arranged triangularly to support load.

Vault

Curved self-supporting roof.

Arch

Curved structural element spanning opening and supporting weight.

Cornice

Décor at the top of a wall.

Pediment

Triangular element crowning building top.

Portico

A covered entrance

Plinth

The resting base for elements.

Dormer

An element projecting from a sloped roof.

Balustrade

A railing system composed of short posts to support a top rail.

Buttress

structural element that projects from a wall adding extra strength.

Gable

Triangular wall section at the end of a building.

Nave

Central main aisle of a church.

Title block

Area of a drawing containing info.

Dimensioning

Adding numbers to drawings to indicate size.

Projection

used to show 3D object on a 2D drawing.

Orthographic projection

shows true shape and size.

Hatching

A series of parallel lines to indicate different materials.

Line types

Various line types representing different elements.

Annotation

Labels providing extra details.

Dimension line

A line with arrow heads indicating distance between points.

Leader Line

Connects labels to specific elements.

Cutting plane

imaginary line slicing through object to show internals.

Section line

lines to show what object has been cut.

North Arrow

A symbol that shows direction of a plan.

Reference mark

A symbol used to indicate the location of a detail or enlarged view in the main drawing.

Grid

A series of intersecting lines.