CE 41 Construction Plans | Course Notes | 1st semester A.Y.

2020-2021

Module 2-A: Architectural Features and Relevant Standards

Important: You are expected to complete this module before
Week 6, which is when the first examination is scheduled.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this module, you should be able to:

- Identify the typical architectural elements found in construction projects

- Explain the architectural standards and regulations relevant to simple construction
projects

Architectural Elements

In the previous module, we learned the building enclosure systems protect the interior
environment from external exposure while still be able to provide an effective means of
controlling moisture, temperature, and humidity.

Roof Systems

Protects the structure from external moisture by conveying excess moisture to the drainage lines.
Roof insulation systems control heat gradient so that the interior environment is protected from
drastic temperature changes throughout the day. There are different roof forms based on the
archetype as well as its intended performance given the environmental conditions.

Figure 1. Various Roof Forms

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CE 41 Construction Plans | Course Notes | 1st semester A.Y. 2020-2021

Flashings

Flashings are used in several parts of a building’s exterior to secure the interconnected parts from
being penetrated by excess water. These components move water away to the drainage lines. The
most common materials used as flashings are thin sheet metal, stainless steel, or other impervious
materials such as rubber.

Figure 2a. Roof Flashing (McMorrough, 2017)

Figure 2b. Base Plinth Flashing (McMorrough, 2017)

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CE 41 Construction Plans | Course Notes | 1st semester A.Y. 2020-2021

Exterior Walls

Exterior walls are combinations of cladding systems which envelope the building or structure,
shielding it from the immediate exterior environment. A typical wall is constructed by putting
together concrete masonry units such as concrete hollow blocks held together by a mixture of
cement, water, and aggregates.

Windows

Windows are building openings that provide natural means of lighting and ventilation. There are
various configurations of windows depending on its location on the building envelope.

Figure 3. Window Types (McMorrough, 2017)

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CE 41 Construction Plans | Course Notes | 1st semester A.Y. 2020-2021

Finish Flooring

Floors are subjected to regular wear from feet, dirt, water, and house furniture. The finishes are
chosen based on the function of the space and the amount of foot traffic. There are various
selection of finish floor types including ceramic tiles, wood, PVC flooring, and carpets.

Lighting Systems

Lighting has an effect on the manner in which a space is experienced and perceived. Architects
often work with lighting designers to provide specifications for the project on how lighting can
best serve the design and function of the space. It is coordinated with the information in the
electrical drawings and reflected ceiling plans.

Figure 4. Different types of lighting elements (McMorrough, 2017)

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CE 41 Construction Plans | Course Notes | 1st semester A.Y. 2020-2021

READING THE DRAWING SET

Symbols and markers are necessary for navigating the drawing set. These point to the reader
where to go to find more information about the components.

Figure 5. Typical symbols used in Architectural Drawings

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CE 41 Construction Plans | Course Notes | 1st semester A.Y. 2020-2021

Plans

A plan is a drawing that represents a view of the project from above. The most common example
of a plan view is the floor plan. A floor plan is a two-dimensional view of a room or a building. It
is generated by projecting the view of the room or building after passing a horizontal cutting plane
through the room or building.

Architectural plans should be dimensioned to show the actual lengths and width, allowing the
reader to calculate areas. For minor projects, a separate set of specifications may not always be
issued and the notes in the drawing may suffice.

Figure 6. Example of a plan drawing. (Kubba, 2015)

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CE 41 Construction Plans | Course Notes | 1st semester A.Y. 2020-2021

Elevations

Depict the exterior conditions of the building and describe materials to be used and important
vertical dimensions. It provides a clear description of the façade treatment of the building and
any changes in the surface materials throughout the plane of elevation. Elevations are typically
drawn to scale as the floor plan. The measurements provided by the elevation plan are used to
calculate quantities of materials required.

Figure 7. Example of a plan drawing. (Kubba, 2015)

Sections

Sections are usually used to clarify the building design and construction process. Transverse and
longitudinal sections are usually drawn at the same scale as the floor plan and show views of cross
sections cut by vertical planes. A floor plan or foundation plan, cut by a horizontal plane, is a
section as well as a plan view, but it is seldom called a section. They offer a view through a part of
the structure not found on other drawings. To show as much construction information as
possible, it is not uncommon for staggered (offset) cutting planes to be used in developing
sections. To reduce the time and effort required for drafting and to simplify the construction
drawings, it is common practice to use typical sections where exact duplications would otherwise
occur.

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CE 41 Construction Plans | Course Notes | 1st semester A.Y. 2020-2021

Match Lines

If the drawing is large that it won’t fit on a single standard sheet, matching lines are used to
align them across multiple sheets.

Figure 8. Example of an elevation plan (McMorrough, 2017)

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CE 41 Construction Plans | Course Notes | 1st semester A.Y. 2020-2021

Reflected Ceiling Plans

Ceiling plans show the light fixture placements and types, ceiling heights, and materials, and
anything else found on the ceiling plane. Light fixtures are usually labelled and referred to the
technical specifications or notes.

Figure 9. Commonly used symbols in the reflected ceiling plan. (McMorrough, 2017)

Interior Elevations

These are drawn at a larger scale than the overall building plans, allowing more details, notes,
and dimensions to be represented. Details about cabinetry and wall sections are often referred
from these drawings.

Figure 10. Interior elevation drawing showing cabinetry work

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CE 41 Construction Plans | Course Notes | 1st semester A.Y. 2020-2021

Typical Drawing Set Order for the Disciplines

The Uniform Drawing System suggests an order how the drawing set is arranged. The order
may vary within the different firms although for different projects, not all disciplines listed in
the order below may be present. Some projects on the other hand, may need additional specific
drawing sets.

1. Cover Sheet
2. Index Sheet
3. (H) Hazardous Materials
4. (C) Civil
5. (L) Landscape
6. (S) Structural
7. (A) Architectural
8. (I) Interior
9. (Q) Equipment
10. (F) Fire Protection
11. (P) Plumbing
12. (M) Mechanical
13. (E) Electrical
14. (T) Telecommunications
15. (R) Resource

Meanwhile, the typical order of the sheets within the architectural drawing set are as follows:

A-0: General

A-1: Architectural Floor Plans

A-2: Architectural Elevations

A-3: Architectural Sections

A-4: Large-Scale Views

A-5: Architectural Details

A-6: Schedule and Diagrams

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CE 41 Construction Plans | Course Notes | 1st semester A.Y. 2020-2021

BUILDING CODES

The fundamental purpose of building codes is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all
people through the construction of safe buildings and environments. The review of the code
provisions (as introduced in Module 1) include data on the occupancy type, construction type,
building or floor area, height, exits and egress. Additional provisions on building separation, fire
protection and extinguishing systems and other engineering requirements are also vital in
structuring good building controls.

In the Philippines, the design and construction of architectural elements follow the minimum
requirements of the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096) and the 2000
Architectural Code of the Philippines as its referral code. Readers are asked to refer to these
documents in reviewing the provisions in designing architectural elements and providing
adequate accessibility facilities and services.

Self-Assessment

Having completed the module, you should be able to confidently answer and expound on the
following key questions:

- What architectural elements are commonly found in simple construction projects?

- What are the relevant regulations, and standards relating to architectural elements for
simple construction projects?

References

1. Kubba S., Construction Materials and Specifications for Building Trade. McGraw Hill.
2008
2. McMorrough J., Architectural Specifications Reference. Rockport. 2013.

Supplemental Readings

Should you wish to learn more about the topic, you may want to have a look at the following
references:

1. PD 1096 National Building Code of the Philippines. Official Gazette

2. Architectural Code of the Philippines. United Architects of the Philippines

3. BP 344. Accessibility Law. Official Gazette.

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