Reading Architectural Drawings Using the Architects Scale Drawing

Reading Architectural Drawings Using the Architects’ Scale

Drawing to Scale – Why? u To represent large objects (buildings, rooms, equipment) accurately on paper u Helps you understand the relative location of objects such as equipment, aisle widths, etc. u To insure that objects “fit” u Used by contractors to build the facility and install the equipment

What does “drawn to scale” mean? On a scaled drawing, a small measurement is used to represent a large measurement. For example, one-fourth inch (¼”) on the plan may represent one foot (1’) in the real world. UNT in partnership with TEA. Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

One word…. . Two different meanings 1. The actual instrument used for drawing and measuring 2. The unit of measurement that plans are proportionally drawn to ¼ ” = 1’ UNT in partnership with TEA. Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Floor plans for residential structures are usually drawn at ¼” = 1’. Commercial buildings may be drawn at 1/8” = 1’ if they are too large to fit on the desired sheet size at ¼” = 1’. UNT in partnership with TEA. Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

The Architect’s Scale §Looks like a triangular ruler with three separate edges §Not used for drawing straight lines, but for reading and drawing “to scale”

The Architect’s Scale

The Architect’s Scale At 1/8” scale, read from left to right following the upper numbers

The Architect’s Scale At 1/4” scale, read from right to left following the lower numbers