THE PERMIT/CONSTRUCTION DRAWING STAGE
All projects, whether they involve new construction or tenant improvements to an existing structure, require the preparation of construction documents for permitting. The permit drawings provide a pictorial representation of the construction work. The drawings illustrate, among other things, the appearance, layout, equipment, and amenities of the project. These drawings show the architect’s plan/design for the building’s overall appearance, such as finish materials, floor plans, sizes, and use of each building area.
The architect begins to gather project data to deal with problems or situations that are expected to arise during the construction process, such as local zoning requirements, local infrastructure, traffic, environmental and population impact, acoustic, energy, lighting, and aesthetic considerations. Various consulting engineers may also be utilized to solve specific project problems. Other numerous drawing plans are involved in this stage of the construction project, including:
Architectural Plans: The architectural plans indicate the layout of the project, such as floor plans, elevations, and details of the construction and architectural finishes. A civil engineer may be brought in and this stage and is responsible for the proper drainage of a site, as well as the design of land improvements, such as paving, curb and gutter design, retaining walls, and drainage culverts.
Structural Plans The structural plans are prepared by structural engineers and show the structural design of a building. These plans incorporate foundation planning with considerations for rain, snow, wind, earthquakes, and other natural phenomena.
Mechanical Plans: Mechanical plans are prepared by a mechanical engineer to show the design of the various mechanical systems in the building. These systems must be designed to incorporate the proper air conditioning, heating, and ventilation equipment, as well as adequate plumbing, to meet the needs for all of the building’s designated activities.
Electrical Plans: Electrical plans are prepared by an electrical engineer, and show the electrical distribution system for the efficient distribution of power in a building. The plan design includes the distribution of electrical power from the utility company and the distribution to power-specific equipment.