Question:
I am a CAD consultant, and would be Architect (still working on that
Masters). I am currently working on developing CAD standards for
construction documents, both as a consultant, and as an aspect of school. To
that end, I would like to start a thread on the topic of Construction Docs.
In general I want to pick people's brains about what works, and what
doesn't, so that I can develop standards that are more of the former, and
less of the latter. My general theory is that every thing works better when
you know who the end user is, and the end user of Construction Drawings are
Contractors, Inspectors and Plan Checkers. Unfortunately, most of the
information available on the topic is from the architects standpoint. Thus
my question is posed here, not alt.architecture.
Rather than get too structured (not to mention making assumptions) by using
a questionnaire, I would rather just throw the thread open. What things have
you seen in CDs that where especially helpful, and why? Also, what things
where especially problematic, and why?
Answer:
I am an architectural designer and construction manager with over twenty
years experience. I recommend AIA documents for the agreement and CSI
formats for specifications and budgeting.
In my experience, the document preparers (architects & spec writers) loose
track of the ultimate purpose of their work: to communicate. One must be
clear, concise and understandable. One must also remember that the line of
communication flows down to the final guy in the field doing the work who
does not have an architectural education and generally needs things
explained in plain English without abbreviations and other hazy
descriptions. The objective should be to get the job done the way you want
and anything written or illustrated to that end is good. It is not, in the
real world, to please your architecture professor with your lettering and
linework. I see too many construction documents prepared the way some
people drive: they may be right, but they often become dead right.
In recent years I have placed as many of my specifications as possible on
the drawings themselves and as many of the supporting details as possible on
the same page as the drawing referencing them. All this is in the interest
of avoiding mistakes.
I have numerous other things that I have learned to change and do
differently over the years, but I will wait and see what others say as well.
I don't use them anymore. Although I do use all caps in both hand lettering
and on my drawings. I found that many abbreviations are just custom started
in architecture school like an elete code. I bid on a set of plans recently
and I found numerous abbreviations that I couldn't understand. The plans
were produced by a registered architect and I have been reading plans for
over thirty years.
Yes. That is the way I do it. My techniques evolved from having to build
from the plans that I produced. I cannot rely on subs reading much more
than one page of the plans and they rarely have the specs on site. Try
working with a large set of plans when you have nothing but the ground or
floor to lay them on and the wind blowing.
I organize plans a little differently. First, a title sheet identifying the
parties, with a map providing directions to the site, and index of the
plans, and the zoning of the property. Of course, a plot plan too.
Generally, I include all the information on this sheet that is required to
fill in a building permit application. I often include the class of
construction and other basic information for the plans examiner.
Then, with the next pages, I present the project to the layman (Owner) and a
general overview of what we are doing to all others: Elevations and
conceptual floorplans. I include finishes and sometimes furniture
arrangements at this level. I will also do sections of the moldings,
fireplaces and other similar items here. Then I do interior elevations
including cabinets and special areas.
After those pages, I present the project in the order in which it is built:
foundation, wall framing, roof framing, general construction details,
plumbing, electrical, HVAC. Each trade has at least one page to itself with
a caution to refer to all other related plans as well.
I figure that if you were to try to tell someone how to get to Chicago, for
example, you would first tell them what vehicle they would use, speed limits
and other restrictions, then where they are going, then how to get there.
Plans are the same.
