In construction documentation, a building elevation drawing shows the angle projections of all structure sections from a given direction.
They are crucial part of any project and are used by architects for multiple reasons. Elevation surveys will be carried out to provide accurate and precise building elevation drawings prior to a construction project.
This guide details why building elevation drawings are important for architects and when they might be used as part of a construction project, whether it be for a small house elevation or a duplex house design.
Planning permission
Local authorities often demand elevation drawings from architects as part of their approval procedure for a planning application. These designs illustrate adherence to height constraints, setback requirements, and other local rules.
Municipal planning boards and authorities utilise drawings to analyse the visual effect of proposed constructions on their surroundings. The drawings assist in making educated conclusions regarding the design’s suitability for the context of the area.
Communication of designs
Elevation drawings are a vital tool for communicating design ideas to customers. They provide a clear and realistic image of how the building will look from various angles, allowing customers to visualise the finished construction.
Architects, engineers, and other members of the design team also use architectural drawings to collaborate on the final design. These drawings guarantee that everyone working on the project has a common idea of the building’s outside look.
Record purposes
During building construction projects, adjustments often happen as a result of unanticipated events on-site. These changes must be clearly documented, regardless of whether they are insignificant or crucial.
To provide evidence of what has been constructed, record drawings, also known as “as-built” drawings, will be frequently requested. Elevation surveys are commonly used to produce an exact record drawing of the exterior of a structure. To capture any modifications that have occurred, this final drawing can be compared to the planning drawings.
Building refurbishment
Elevation surveys are useful when measuring and surveying an existing structure which is about to be renovated. Building elevation drawings created from the existing structure are essential to a successful project.
3D laser scanning is used during an elevation survey to generate a map of the façade of the structure. A FARO scanner, a surveying instrument able to scan up to one million points per second, is used to deliver high-speed data gathering
Right to light purposes
In the UK, there are strict regulations surrounding the amount of natural light which must be let into a particular space. Half of the space in a commercial building should be illuminated by natural light and in a house, natural light should illuminate more than half the space.
Building elevation drawings taken from elevation surveys can be used to undertake a right to light survey, so during the planning stages, individuals can be assured their buildings meet required standards.
Elevation Drawings from Lucion
An elevation survey allows you to futureproof your structure ahead of a construction project and at Lucion, our team of expert surveyors are available to support you in collecting accurate data. Contact us on 0345 5040 303 or online to discuss your project.
