6

Layout of

Construction Drawings

6.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW.

For identification purposes, drawings associated with construction and the building trades can be cate-

gorized into four main types, preliminary drawings, presentation drawings, working drawings, and shop

drawings.

Preliminary Drawings.

These drawings are essentially intended to be concept design explorations and means of communica-

tion between the architect and the client. They are not intended to be used for construction but rather to

interpret the client’s needs and instructions, prepare functional studies, select materials, estimate pre-

liminary costs, and solicit preliminary approval by civil authorities. They also form the basis for the final

working drawings.

Presentation Drawings.

These drawings are selling tools and normally consist of perspective views based on the preliminary design

concept of the project. Presentation drawings are drawn to highlight the aesthetic qualities of a project and,

in addition to perspectives, may include isometrics, colored elevations, and colored floor plans (Figure 6.1).

Construction or Working Drawings.

The term “construction drawing” is generic in that it includes all the drawings needed by the various

tradespeople to complete a building project. These drawings are prepared by the architect, engineer, and

other specialists depending on the complexity of the project. Construction drawings are technical direc-

tions in graphic form, showing the size, quantity, location, and relationships of the building’s components.

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