Doug Patt: Hi, I am Doug Patt and this is the how to draw like an architect series, part 4. The detail. Thus far, I have shown a floor plan drawn in quarter scale. An elevation that matched in quarter scale, a wall section at a larger scale of three quarters of an inch and today I am showing details drawn at one and one half inches equals to one foot. Details are typically shown at the largest scales, one and half inches, and three inches, six inches which is half scale or full scale.

I will cover more about scale in part 6. The reason for a large scale is obvious. The larger the drawing on the page, then more detail for the contractor. This first details shows a very common shingle style, modified, flaired skeet. The detail historically provides a strong drip page for coastal properties to keep water away from the house. The drawing is large enough that I can provide dimensions for framing and trim work as well as lots that make construction much easier.

At this scale I would also ask the contractor to make a full scale mock up on site for the client’s and my approval. The same as true for this eave detail, here the drawing shows a standard Cope Molding at the end of a custom cut rafter tail as well as slate roof construction and the ventilation detail for the roof.

I have also included lots of notes that could be then included on a smaller three quarter inch wall section. Bottom line, in the course of any project, the architect can literally do hundreds of detailed sketches. A portion to the project they need further description. That’s just part of the process. Putting as many details in your working drawings as you can will get the contractor closer to a realistic number. When bidding the job and make your job as an architect easier along the way. We will look at a perspective in part 5. See you next time.