architecture
The art and science of designing and building structures, or large groups of structures, in accordance to aesthetic and functional criteria.

blueprints (or prints)
Reproductions of architectural drawings used by contractors and workers to guide the building process.

building permit
Document issued by the local government that allows construction of a structure or dwelling.

building section
A view through the building as if it were sliced. It shows the parts that are used to build the building (the structural components). It's drawn at the same scale as the elevations.

building plans or floor plans
Plans showing the placement of interior walls and the dimensions and locations of rooms, doors, windows, stairways, etc. of each level of the house.

design sketches
Use for aids to the initial visualization of a design, especially for construction drawings. The first step in developing any new design or altering an existing one (as with house remodels and additions) is to determine the needs of the client and the ultimate function for which the design is intended. When creating a design, the architect considers a range of factors, including size, shape, weight, color, style, materials used, environment, cost, ease of use, and safety.

dormer
A vertical window which projects from a sloping roof, placed in a small gable, which may be flat, arched or pointed.

eaves
The lower edge of a sloping roof, usually projecting beyond the sides of a building. In bungalow houses, eaves are often adorned with decorative brackets.

elements of design
Elements including line, form, space, color, light (value), texture, and materials, that are used to create designs.

elevations
Drawings that show the front, back, or sides of a building, and are used to see what materials will be used and what height the structure will be. Elevations are drawn at the same scale as the building plan.

exterior elevations
The exterior of a structure to show the design, materials, dimensions, and final appearance of doors, windows, outer surfaces, and roof.

façade
The exterior face of a building which is the architectural front.

framing plan
Shows the underlying structure of the ceilings and floors.

gable
The triangle formed by a sloping roof.

interior elevations
The vertical design of interior walls. Also shows the specific details of cabinets (kitchen, bathroom, and utility room), fireplaces, built-in units, and other special interior features.

roof framing plan
Shows the layout of the roof framing details and materials.

foundation
Lowest structural component of a building upon which all other members rest.

foundation plan
A detailed drawing showing all dimensions (including slab or pier and beam location) needed to construct the foundation.

massing
The composition of the different geometrical forms that make up a house or building.

overhang
Portion of a roof that projects beyond the outer walls.

pitch
The elevation of a roof.

rafter
A structural element used to frame a roof.

schematic or preliminary design plans
Diagrammatic drawings done early in the design process of an architectural project in preparation for construction, usually drawn to scale and showing the entire project.

site plan
Refers to drawings or diagrams laying out the precise arrangement of a structure on a plot of land. For example, a house site plan shows the property, garage, existing buildings, locations, easements, utility connections, etc. It may also refer to plans for gardens, groups of buildings, or developments, where the layout of buildings, roadways, utilities, landscape elements, topography, water features, and vegetation may be depicted. A site plan is drawn at a large scale to show a large area (1" = 50' - 0" or 1" = 200' - 00", for example).