PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL CAREERS, OFFICE PRACTICES, AND INTRODUCTION TO GREEN BUILDING

OPPORTUNITIES
GREEN BUILDING - Reduce, reuse, recycle! No matter what area of the design or construction
DRAFTER is the person who creates the drawings and details for another person’s creations. field you enter, an important aspect of your career will be a building mind-set that revolves
around these three words.
CAD TECHNICIAN is used to describe a person who creates the same type of drawings using a
computer.  Sustainable sites.
 Water efficiency.
THE EXPERIENCED DRAFTER  Indoor environmental quality.
 Educational Requirements  Energy and atmosphere.
 Personal Requirements  Material and resources.
 Workplace Ethics  Innovation and the design process.
 Honesty
DESIGN BASICS
 Integrity
 Respect  FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS - both designers and drafters need to be concerned
 Trust with costs.
 Responsibility  THE CLIENT - design to appeal to a wide variety of people.
 Employment Opportunities
THE DESIGN PROCESS
DESIGNER is usually the coordinator of a team of drafters. The designer may work under the
direct supervision of an architect, an engineer, or both and supervise the work schedule of the 1. INITIAL CONTACT – design fees, schedules, and the compatibility of personalities are
drafting team. but a few of the basic questions to be answered.
2. PRELIMINARY DESIGN STUDIES – research with the building and zoning
 INTERIOR DECORATOR – decorates the interiors of buildings, with the aim of making departments that govern the site, investigation of the site, and discussions with any
rooms more attractive, comfortable, and functional. board of review that may be required.
 INTERIOR DESIGNER – works with the structural designer to optimize and harmonize BUBBLE DRAWINGS are freehand sketches used to help determine room locations
the interior design of structures. and relationships.
 KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGNER Bubble designs are the first drawings in the design process. These drawings
 ARCHITECT – is a licensed professional who designs commercial and residential are used to explore room relationships.
structures. Architects perform the tasks of many professionals, including designer, 3. ROOM PLANNING – room usage must be considered throughout the design process.
artist, project manager, and construction. Bubble drawings are converted to scale drawings so that basic sizes can be
 ENGINEER – is a licensed professional who applies mathematical and scientific determined. The preliminary floor plan contains enough text to convey ideas
principles to the design and construction of structures. to the owner, but will require additional annotation to be added for the
 Electrical engineers construction process.
 Mechanical engineers 4. INITIAL WORKING DRAWINGS – with the preliminary drawings approved, a drafter
 Civil engineers can begin to lay out the working drawings.
Based on preliminary floor plans, the front elevation is drawn to explore
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES: design options.
5. FINAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS – this conference will result in a set of marked
 MODEL MAKER – they use information and preliminary designs or blueprints to bring drawings that the drafter will use to complete the working drawings.
an idea into reality. The preliminary floor plan shows the owner’s changes, with furniture added.
 ILLUSTRATOR – expertise to make this type of drawing rapidly. 6. COMPLETION OF WORKING DRAWINGS – on a complicated plan, a wall-framing
 SPECIFICATION WRITER – specifications are written instructions for methods, plan, a roof-framing plan, a grading plan, and construction details may be required.
materials, and quality of construction. Some lending institutions may require interior elevations, cabinet drawings, and finish
 PLAN EXAMINER – must be licensed by the state, to certify minimum understanding specifications.
of the construction process. A SITE PLAN is used to show how the structure relates to the site. When
 INSPECTOR – requires an exceptionally good understanding of code limitations, print the site is relatively flat, grading information is placed on this drawing.
reading, and construction methods.

SECTION 2: RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS are a part of the construction contract. They detail the
work, materials, and installation required to complete a project. The SPECS are a
subcontractor’s field guide on what materials to use, how to install them, and the desired level of
quality.
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS
PRESCRIPTIVE SPECIFICATIONS – provide step-by-step details and instructions on how the
types of materials to be used and the desired installation methods.
 General Provisions
 Required Products
 Execution Procedures
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS will provide all the operations requirements to complete a
project. Instead of giving detailed instructions on how to achieve the desired final product,
performance specs will describe the anticipated result.
PROPRIETARY SPECIFICATIONS are used when a specific type of product or material is
required for installation.
WHO HANDLES CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS?
Usually, architects or designers are tasked with preparing construction specifications. Both may
also be involved in delegating the specifications, along with project engineers who are able to
provide technical assistance. Professional specification writers may be brought in to ensure all
the bases are covered on large-scale projects.
RESIDENTIAL DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS
These documents should be prepared very carefully in cooperation with the architect, client, and
contractor. Any variation from these documents should be approved by all three parties. When
brand names are used, a clause specifying “or equivalent” can be added. This means that
another brand that is equivalent in value and quality to the one specified can be substituted with
the client or construction supervisor’s approval.
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION
SPECIFICATION is written documents that describe in detail the requirements for products,
materials, and workmanship upon which construction projects is based. SPECIFICATIONS IN
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS typically comprise information on the project’s necessary
materials, the timeline, methods, and requirements.
TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILED SPECIFICATION
 are the detailed description documents of works that specify the qualities, quantities,
and proportion of materials. It also specifies the method of preparation and execution
and the method of measurements of the work.
GENERAL SPECIFICATION
 commonly used in commercial and residential work these types of construction
specification. It contains product information but doesn’t specify which manufacturer
must be used.
 Also known as brief specification.
 They are used to show aspect, standard, and type of constructional work.
 They would describe the general classifications of the construction work of the project.
 These specifications are used to establish the standards of the construction work that
will help in establishing a Detailed Estimate.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN
 RESIDENTIAL DESIGN is an art that aims to create a house that looks good and,
more importantly, gives us the ability to live a comfortable life.
 Combination of common sense and practical aspects confine the whole process.
 Planning and developing a new home.
 Includes other elements such as construction, building features, environmental
aspects, architectural style, the usability of the building, and others.
 This process includes, but is not limited to, a contract specifying details about the
design, construction, and pricing obligations.
 Limiting the number of materials used to assemble is also covered.
WHY IS RESIDENTIAL DESIGN IMPORTANT?
 RESIDENTIAL DESIGNERS are essential because they play a crucial role in the
placement and designing of the layout of a house.
 They also play an essential role in helping clients create a safe and comfortable
environment within their homes.
 Residential designers are responsible for providing wonderful living spaces that would
help us improve and enrich our lives.
 They also improve the house’s overall look, which enhances the feel and the mood of
people living inside.
 These designers are professionals. Having done so many design projects in their life,
they have adopted a way to complete your entire design in good time. Hiring one will
help you save time.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
 COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION involves the designing, renovating and building of
commercial structures.
 Projects use heavy equipment funded by developers, as well as local and national
governments.
 Developers and contractors compete for construction contracts by submitting proposal
bids.
TYPES OF COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
 SMALL-SCALE CONSTRUCTION involves fixing sewage systems, remodeling and
renovating buildings’ interiors and exteriors. Projects are shorter in length and need less
equipment and crew members.
 MEDIUM-SCALE CONSTRUCTION involves upgrading, expanding space and building
projects from the ground up. Projects are more complex than small-scale projects, like
adding more stories to a building.
 LARGE SCALE CONSTRUCTION projects develop hotels, airports, government buildings,
roads and skyscrapers. Major commercial development companies and government
 agencies fund these “megaprojects.” Large teams use heavy equipment to add multiple  The accommodation considerations include the type and expected numbers of staff at
stories and to develop large masses of land. the construction site, determine the location for offices to provide quick and easy
access for visitors, and also to give a good view of the construction site.
CONSTRUCTIONS DOCUMENTS
STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS
 A0 SHEETS – These project information documents serve as cover sheets for a permit set
or construction set. They lay out the general scope of work, including a site plan with the  When storages are set at the construction site, many factors need to be considered,
general condition of the work site, and plans that show fire protection and accessibility. for instance, quantity and type of materials, suitable weather and security protections,
 A1 SHEETS (DEMOLITION) – DEMOLITION PLANS show the current state of the provision of sufficient storage space and working area around the storage.
structure and indicate what must be demolished as part of the construction project.
 A2 SHEETS (FLOOR PLANS) – Also known as BLUEPRINTS, FLOOR PLANS are CONSIDERATION FOR TEMPORARY SERVICES
working drawings that show an aerial view of each level of the building.
 Consider the type of temporary services, location of the required services, and the
 A3 SHEETS (ELEVATIONS) – ELEVATION DRAWINGS are architectural drawings that
time in which the given services are needed. The coordination between various
show cross-sections of a building. Also called SECTION DRAWINGS, they show ceiling
services conducting at the site is fundamental.
heights, wall construction, foundation plans, and framing plans.
 A4 SHEETS (FINISH PLANS) – An architect or design team provides these plans to show SAFETY AND HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
what materials will be laid atop the core structure.
 A5 SHEETS (INTERIOR ELEVATIONS) – A more detailed variation on the A3 sheets,  The considerations discussed so far should meet the minimum requirements of the
these elevations might show furniture, light switches, and wall finish types. applicable health and safety regulations.
 A6 SHEETS (SCHEDULES) – In the construction industry, the word "schedule" refers to
lists or spreadsheets of certain materials. Construction sets and permit sets feature door ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
schedules (showing all the doors that appear on other sheets) and window schedules
(showing all the windows that appear on other sheets). SIX INTEGRAL COMPONENTS USED IN CREATION OF A DESIGN:
 S SHEETS (STRUCTURAL DRAWINGS) – These building design drawings are the work of
 LINE
a structural engineer, who has a different role than an architect. The structural engineer’s S
 COLOR
sheets show the structural schematics of a building, including concrete footings, wall-to-roof
connections, joist layout, and any specially engineered pieces in the building's framing.  FORM AND SHAPE
 M SHEETS (MECHANICAL DRAWINGS) – These types of drawings show mechanical  SPACE
systems in a building, most notably an HVAC system (which controls heating and air  TEXTURE
conditioning and is required in most new homes and office buildings).  VALUE
 E SHEETS (ELECTRICAL DRAWINGS) – These drawings show detailed information about
TYPES OF LINE
a building's electrical plan.
 VERTICAL – represents dignity, formality, stability, and strength
 P SHEETS (PLUMBING DRAWINGS) – These show the location of pipes, water tanks, and
 HORIZONTAL – represents calm, peace and relaxation
plumbing fixtures. Plumbing systems include vents that cut through the roof and allow
sewer gases to safely escape the building.  DIAGONAL – represents action, activity, excitement and movement
 CURVED – represents freedom, the natural having the appearance of softness, and
EXTERIOR DESIGN FACTORS creates a soothing feeling or mood
 COLOR – has an immediate and profound effect on a design. Color can affect human
SITE CONSIDERATION feel and act.
o WARM COLORS − Reds, oranges, yellows
 Construction site layout considerations are site access, offices, accommodations, o COOL COLORS − Blues, purples, greens
storage area temporary services, health, and safety.
FORM AND SHAPE
SITE ACCESS CONSIDERATION
 FORM – (3D) the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
 It is necessary to examine roads on and off the construction site. The suitability of the
or substance.
roads to transport all requirements for the suggested construction site and also for
 SHAPE – (2D) the two-dimensional contour that characterizes an object or area.
general circulation should be examined.
SPACE – by incorporating the use of space in your design, you can enlarge or reduce the visual
space.

CONSIDERATION FOR OFFICES AND ACCOMMODATION

TYPES
  Open, uncluttered spaces EMPHASIS – makes a point of convergence in a plan piece; it is the way we bring attention to
 Cramped, busy spaces what exactly is significant in it.
 Unused vs. good use of space
CONTRAST – means showing differences in two different sections of the design or showing
TEXTURE – the surface look or feel of something. somehow that the design being create is very different from other designs.

 SMOOTH SURFACE – Reflects more light and therefore is a more intense color. MOVEMENT
 ROUGH SURFACE – Absorbs more light and therefore appears darker.
 the visual progression of the design.
VALUE – The relative lightness or darkness of a color  the way you intend your watcher’s eye to follow.

METHODS PROPORTION AND SCALE

 SHADE – Degree of darkness of a color
 TINT – A pale or faint variation of a color  SCALE is the size of one object in relation to the other objects in a design or artwork.
 PROPORTION refers to the size of the parts of an object in relationship to other parts
PRINCIPLE OF DESIGN of the same object.

BALANCE UNITY – accomplished through the consistent use of lines, color, material, and texture within a
 the concept of visual equilibrium and relates to our physical sense of balance. design. In terms of texture, it’s one of the architectural design principles that make a design
 it is our conciliation of opposing forces in a composition that results in visual stability stand out.

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE – described as having equal “weight” on equal sides of a centrally SINGLE LEVEL
placed fulcrum.
 Most common style
 BIAXIAL SYMMETRY – uses two axes of symmetry: vertical and horizontal. the most  Provides stair-free access to all rooms
regular and repetitive image occurs when they are the same  Easy to maintain
 APPROXIMATE SYMMETRY – which equivalent but not identical forms are arranged
around the fulcrum line. SPLIT LEVEL
 INVERTED SYMMETRY – uses symmetry with one half inverted like a playing cards.
 RADIAL SYMMETRY – this axis might be level or vertical. it is additionally  Combines features of one-and two-story
conceivable to build formal balance by arranging elements similarly around a central  Best suited to sloping sites
point, bringing about radial symmetry.  May be split from side or front to back

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE – also called “informal balance”, is more complex and difficult to DAYLIGHT BASEMENT
envisage.
 One-story over a basement or garage, or two complete living levels
 BALANCE BY VALUE – happens when a little region with bright/light worth tones is  Well suited for a sloping lot
combined with an enormous area with a dull/low worth tone.
 BALANCE USING TEXTURE – little region with an intriguing texture looks offset TWO-STORY
when joined with an enormous flat area (no texture)
 Many options for those who don’t mind stairs
 BALANCE USING COLOR
 Provides maximum building area at a lower cost per square foot than other styles
 BALANCE USING SHAPES – made through field of complex composition with a level
field. DORMER
 BALANCE USING SPACE
 Allows an upper level usually half of square footage of lower floor
RHYTHM – a visual composition can be inserted by arranging the constituent objects so that  Best suited to an exterior style that incorporates a steep roof
there is a sense of movement.

TYPES OF RHYTHM
 REGULAR – repeat each element at the same repetition and the interval MULTI-LEVEL
 RANDOM – make elements random or at irregular intervals
 GRADATED – except for one aspect that progressively increases or decreases with  Possibilities for floor levels are endless
each repetition, the repeating element is identical.  Site topography and living habits dictate styles
CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION A LEED-CERTIFIED BUILDING is one whose construction and design incorporates
sustainability methods. THE CHOICE METHOD is a function of the building type, its designer
ENERGY–EFFICIENT DESIGN – energy efficient building design involves constructing or focus, and the certification level it intends to achieve.
upgrading buildings that are able to get the most work out of the energy that is supplied to them
by taking steps to reduce energy loss such as decreasing the loss of heat through the building DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEED CERTIFICATION
envelope.
 Building Design and Construction (BD+C)
WAYS TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN YOUR BUILDING  Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M)
 Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)
 MEASURE YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION  Neighborhood Development (ND)
 FOCUS ON INSULATION  Cities and Communities
 CHOOSE THE RIGHT VENTILATION SUSTEM  Homes
 BUY CERTIFIED EQUIPMENT
 USE LED LIGHT ENERGY-EFFICIENT CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES
 CONSIDER UPGRADING TO LEED
1. Install building insulation
LEED – The US Green Building Council (USGBC), a not-for-profit private organization founded 2. Monitor your building’s energy consumption
in 1993, developed the LEED program in 1994 to encourage professionals in the building, 3. Prevent air leakage
construction, and design industries to incorporate sustainability into their work practices. 4. Focus on the use of appliances
5. Consider solar energy.

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