Technical Design Course | Architectural Detailing Basics - Volume 1

Lesson 1 – Introduction & importance of detailing (08:00). We open the course with a detailed explanation of the importance of detailing, the impact of incorrect drawings, common mistakes to avoid, how to include other consultants within the process, avoiding scope creep and explain what the course will entail, generally.

Lesson 2 – Section Call Outs (08:50). Before arriving at a specific construction detail, you need to take the viewer on a journey as to the context of that drawing. The best approach to this starts in the ground floor plan. Create a section view, then from that section create a series of ‘call outs’, which then identify the drawing references for the details. With this knowledge any client/builder will understand the wider framing of the drawing in question. This lesson explains the steps to get to this point before we get cracking with some details!

Lesson 3 – Foundation Detail (2D) (01:02:7). The first in the detailing lessons is a lengthy one as we set the scene for the course and explain the pro tips in avoiding error, specifying the right materials and the correct approach to drawing your details in 2D. Although we use CAD in this course, the same principles would apply to Revit & Archicad, albeit with a slightly different tool set. This course isn’t about the software, but the principles of detailing in its own right.

Lesson 4 – Foundation Detail (3D) (22:55). With the first detail drawn, we take it into SketchUp and model it in 3D. The purpose for doing this is to gain a deeper understanding of the construction of this foundation, what we’re drawing and to pick up on anything that’s drawn in elevation to round off this first detail in full.

Lesson 5 – Intermediate Floor Detail (2D) (22:41). In our fifth lesson we jump back into 2D and walk through a typical intermediate floor detail and why using a particular type of joists makes for easier co-ordination with others. In addition to this we cover how to improve acoustics and vapour protection with a few simple additions to a common build up.

Lesson 6 – Intermediate Floor Detail (3D) (11:31). Bringing this detail into 3D demonstrates the importance of spacing things like joists to improve stability, strength and reduce negative impact on acoustics with a ‘bouncy floor’. You’ll also learn some additional technical design fundamentals such as, why joist spans are critical for co-ordinating with others.

Lesson 7 – Pitched Roof Detail (2D) (41:59). Moving into the two roof types, we begin with the trickier of the two; a pitched roof with insulation at rafter level. In this lesson we also explain the difference between a warm and cold roof and defend against vapour build up when using either approach.

Lesson 8 – Pitched Roof Detail (3D) (21:28). A lot is happening in roof build ups and there’s a lot of timber involved, rafters/battens/counter battens and so on. Therefore, seeing all of this in action in a 3D setting is critical in understanding what’s being drawn when back in 2D.

Lesson 9 – Flat Roof Detail (2D) (29:17). The final of the four details for this course, and another one you’ll come across quite frequently in your career, even outside of a domestic setting. Flat roofs are extremely common in all types of projects, so we felt it important to include here. We also touch on different ways of draining a flat roof to avoid future headaches!

Lesson 10 – Flat Roof Detail (3D) (20:00). We bring the detailing portion of the course home with a final 3D model, all of which can be downloaded from the course material area within the member dashboard, so you can follow along with ease or check your work back after a first attempt.

Lesson 11 – Element Keys (11:00). Now, before we wrap up the course, we explain how to adopt different labelling strategies for your drawings and one common technique is to utilise an element key that applies project wide. This key can be brought into every drawing with a consistent ‘menu’ of items specified and when a change is made it’s made throughout your entire pack of details. This lesson covers all bases on the topic.

Lesson 12 – Sheeting Up (20:05). To finish the course off, we show you our recommendation for sheeting up each detail, fit for plotting to PDF and issuing to the project team.