Architectural Draftsman Course

Lesson 1 • Line Types and Drafting Conventions

Covers standardised line types, weights, and symbols used in architectural drawings. Consistent conventions ensure drawings are universally readable by construction teams.

Lesson 2 • Manual Drafting Tools and Equipment

Introduces hand drafting instruments and their correct use. Proper tool handling directly supports line quality and drawing accuracy throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • The Drafting Profession and Its Scope

Defines the role of an architectural draftsman within the construction industry. Establishes career pathways and professional responsibilities foundational to all later study.

Lesson 4 • Reading and Interpreting Basic Drawings

Develops the ability to read floor plans, elevations, and sections at a basic level. This skill underpins every subsequent drafting task in the course.

Lesson 1 • Polygons and Curved Forms

Teaches construction of regular polygons, arcs, and tangent curves. Curved and polygonal forms appear in building footprints, windows, and decorative elements.

Lesson 2 • Basic Geometric Constructions

Covers bisecting lines, angles, and constructing perpendiculars using drafting instruments. These operations form the geometric backbone of all architectural layouts.

Lesson 3 • Orthographic Projection Fundamentals

Introduces multi-view orthographic projection as the basis for plan, elevation, and section drawings. Learners align views correctly to represent three-dimensional buildings.

Lesson 1 • Elevations and Building Sections

Covers exterior elevation views and vertical building sections. These drawings communicate height, material changes, and interior spatial relationships.

Lesson 2 • Sheet Layout and Title Block Standards

Establishes professional sheet sizes, border layouts, and title block content. Consistent sheet organisation is required for submission to regulatory authorities.

Lesson 3 • Floor Plans: Conventions and Content

Defines what is shown at the floor plan cut level and how elements are represented. Floor plans are the primary communication tool in any architectural drawing set.

Lesson 4 • Detail Drawings and Enlarged Views

Teaches how to extract and enlarge construction details from small-scale drawings. Details resolve complex junctions that cannot be shown at standard drawing scales.

Lesson 1 • Dimensioning Walls, Openings, and Rooms

Applies dimensioning rules specifically to floor plans, including walls, doors, and windows. Correct referencing points ensure contractors build to exact design intent.

Lesson 2 • Vertical Dimensioning and Level Notation

Teaches elevation marks, floor-to-floor heights, and datum references on sections and elevations. Vertical control is essential for structural and MEP coordination.

Lesson 3 • Schedules and Keynote Systems

Introduces door, window, and finish schedules linked to drawing keynotes. Schedules reduce drawing clutter while providing complete specification data.

Lesson 1 • Timber and Light-Frame Construction

Teaches representation of wood stud walls, joists, rafters, and engineered lumber. Timber framing details are among the most common in residential drafting.

Lesson 2 • Foundations and Below-Grade Construction

Covers strip, pad, raft, and pile foundation types as shown in foundation plans and sections. Foundation drawings are critical for structural and geotechnical coordination.

Lesson 3 • Roofing, Cladding, and Finishes

Addresses roof types, exterior cladding systems, and interior finish materials in drawings. Accurate material indication supports cost estimation and specification writing.

Lesson 4 • Structural Systems Overview

Surveys load-bearing masonry, timber frame, steel frame, and concrete systems. Understanding structure determines how walls, columns, and beams are drawn.

Lesson 1 • Drawing and Editing Commands

Covers essential draw and modify commands for producing architectural geometry. Efficient command use is the core productivity skill in CAD drafting.

Lesson 2 • CAD Interface and Workspace Setup

Orients learners to the CAD interface, coordinate system, and workspace configuration. A correctly configured workspace accelerates all subsequent CAD drafting tasks.

Lesson 3 • Layers, Linetypes, and Object Properties

Teaches layer-based drawing organisation and linetype assignment by layer. Proper layer structure enables efficient plotting and coordination with consultants.

Lesson 4 • Dimensioning and Text in CAD

Applies CAD dimensioning tools and text styles to annotate architectural drawings. Consistent text and dimension styles are required for professional document sets.

Lesson 1 • Drafting Elevations and Sections

Projects exterior elevations and cuts full building sections from the completed floor plans. Elevations and sections must be geometrically consistent with the plans.

Lesson 2 • Drafting the Floor Plans

Produces dimensioned floor plans for all levels of the residential project. Floor plans drive the geometry of all other drawings in the set.

Lesson 3 • Project Briefing and Design Interpretation

Translates an architectural brief and sketch design into a structured drawing programme. Accurate brief interpretation prevents costly revisions during production.

Lesson 4 • Construction Details and Schedules

Develops key construction details and links door, window, and finish schedules to the drawings. Details and schedules complete the information needed for construction.

Lesson 1 • Services Coordination and Overlay Drawings

Introduces overlay drafting to coordinate architectural drawings with mechanical and electrical services. Early coordination prevents costly clashes during construction.

Lesson 2 • Commercial Facade and Curtain Wall Drawings

Covers elevation and detail drawings for commercial facades including curtain wall systems. Facade drawings require precise coordination between architectural and structural details.

Lesson 3 • Multi-Storey Floor Plan Strategies

Addresses repetitive floor plans, core layouts, and vertical circulation in multi-storey buildings. Efficient plan management reduces errors across multiple floor levels.

Lesson 4 • Structural Grids and Column Layouts

Establishes structural grid systems used to organise commercial building drawings. Grid references coordinate architectural drawings with structural and MEP consultants.