How NOT to draft a detail. No line weights, notes a mess and no hatching.
There are architects and then there are Architects. If you don’t know the difference than you are in the former category. I aspire to be included among the latter category. And I will tell you why.
For the last 5+ months I have been working for a large corporate firm in the downtown area. It’s an old firm, the second oldest in the state at nearly 100 years since the doors opened. One would think a firm with that level of prestige and a resume that includes some of the most significant buildings in the city would not only be on the forefront of technology but would also have standards in place for the production of quality, well coordinated and beautiful architectural drawings.
At least that is what I had hoped when I came here several months ago. It didn’t take long to realize that not only were there no standards in place but the production staff and the project architects seldom inhabit the same air space. Hence very little oversight and even less coordination. Add to that “mentorship” seems to be a dirty word, so the staff ends up doing “whatever Revit’s default” happens to be.
To say it’s frustrating is an understatement. Soul crushing is a more apt descriptor. I’m not a senior architect. Barely into my mid 30s, but I’ve worked for a number of “seasoned” Architects that taught me the value of my architectural documents as not just a tool for construction but also as a marketing tool and even as a piece of art unto itself. Drawings MATTER. The information matters; what it looks like matters; and how it is organized matters.
If you think it doesn’t, you’re an architect.
If you take great pride in your work and the finished product that is sent out of your office then you’re an Architect.
Where have all the Architects gone?
A well detailed wall section – line weights, well-spaced notes and clear hatching.
r | one studio architecture 
Wow, looks just like one of my details. Well, okay not really. Although it would not take much at all to make this better.
It takes a lot more to make it better when it’s not done right the first time. And it’s not done right because they either don’t know better or don’t care enough to learn better.
I guess spelling is not important in a well done detail. Also, you sound like a self important architect.
Tom, I said it was a well done detail. I did not say it was a perfect detail. There is always room for improvement and I thank you for pointing out my one typing error.
And if by “self-important” you mean prideful of my work with a strong desire not just to serve my clients but also to produce quality buildings, then I will take it as a compliment. Obviously you’ve worked with a great many architects and very few Architects. I hope you have more experience with the latter in the future.
A well done detail would have correct spellings. As an Architect your should also have a sense of humility and know that there is no perfect detail, we can always strive for something better than we have done. This A versus a thing gives me the worst chills I’ve ever had in my life. I hope you have more experiences with falling ladders in the future.
Yes, Dan, YOU are the guy to offer advice about spelling and grammar…..
First, you should pay closer attention to my comments. I clearly said that no detail is ever perfect, including mine. I freely and humbly admit that, but I do strive to aways seek as much perfection as I am able to attain.
Second, it is not arrogance or a lack of humility to take great pride in ones profession and to strive to aways be better. It also does nothing for the profession to stay silent and not point out any and all areas where improvement is needed, especially in your own place of business. Architects should hold themselves to a higher standard instead of accepting mediocrity at best and outright negligence at worst. This is a profession and there should be an “A” at the beginning of all Architects of only they would live up to the calling.
And you’re welcome for the chills. It means you recognize such a divide in the profession that requires a course correction.