Knowledge Base

Facades and Perimeter Views

As opposed to a “plan view” drawing where the perspective is looking down on the building, an elevation shows what the building looks like from the side. Exterior elevations are as-built drawings that show the exterior sides of the building, from ground level up to the top of the structure. An accurate set of exterior elevations provides the architect and their team with key information about the building – including height, proportion, windows, doors, decks, and other elements visible from the exterior. Exterior elevations also often include ornamentation and trim, depending on the project's needs.

Together with the floor plan and roof plan, the exterior elevations round out the typical set of as-builts that most of our architecture clients ask for on their projects.

While your specific project needs may differ, typically these building elements and finished spaces that are visible and accessible during our survey will be modeled orthogonally at a moderate level of detail:

• Exterior walls
• Changes in material noted
• Windows, doors, and curtain wall
• Porches
• Decks
• Loading Docks
• Parapets, canopies, skylights
• Exterior stairs to grade
• Not including coursing/carved floriated details)

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