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An exterior elevation is a scaled, 2D orthographic projection representing a vertical, straight-on view of a building's facade. This drawing details the height, width, and vertical positioning of exterior components, including rooflines, windows, doors, and decorative elements.
The exterior elevation identifies the materials and vertical dimensions of one side of the structure. The documentation specifies the precise placement of openings and the vertical relationship between the ground and the building features. The drawing outlines the physical appearance and spatial arrangement of the front, rear, or side facades. In a exterior elevation:
Finished Ground Level (Grade Line): The exact location of the finished landscaping, showing the difference between the main floor height and the ground.
Finished Floor Levels (FFL): Marked horizontal lines for each floor level (e.g., FFL First Floor, FFL Second Floor).
Wall/Plate Heights: Vertical dimensions from the floor to the top of the wall plates.
Total Building Height: The highest point of the structure (e.g., roof ridge).
Top of Foundation: Visible foundation portions.
Roof Details: Slope (pitch, e.g., 5:12), ridgelines, valleys, overhangs, and roof materials (shingles, metal, etc.).
Windows and Doors: Rough openings, trim, sill heights, and door types (e.g., sliders, French doors).
Walls and Facades: Accurate representation of exterior finishes (siding, brick, stucco).
Exterior Features: Decks, porches, railings, stairs, chimneys, or balcony areas.
Utilities/Misc: Gutters, downspouts, exterior lighting fixtures, and vent pipes.
Horizontal Lengths: Total width of the building and lengths of specific wall sections.
Vertical Dimension Strings: Strings showing heights of doors, windows, and floor-to-floor measurements.
Material Callouts: Notes indicating specific materials, finishes, and colors (e.g., "Horizontal Cedar Siding - Painted Dark Grey").
Reference Symbols: Section cuts (e.g., "See Wall Section A") and elevation marks.
Title Block: Project name, drawing name (e.g., "East Elevation"), date, and sheet number.
Scale: Standard scale (usually 1/4" = 1'-0" or 1/8" = 1'-0").
Title: Clearly identifying the direction the elevation faces (e.g., "Front Elevation - North").
Flattened Perspective: Show all sides of the home with all perspective flattened.
Material Indication: Use simple hatches to represent different materials (brick, stone, wood) to avoid clutter.
Identify Existing vs. New: For renovations, distinguish clearly between existing and new construction.
Label All Features: Add notes and tags for materials to clarify design intent.
An elevation is essentially a flat, scaled image showcasing one side of a building. It's a detailed portrait of the exterior, emphasizing key architectural elements like doors, windows, materials, and the overall balance of the design. While elevations might appear straightforward, they are in fact the visual language architects employ to transform concepts into reality.
Typically, our elevation plans include:
Exterior walls
Materials
Windows, doors
Decks
Parapets
Dimensions
Notes
