Pancyprian TS Arch. Drawing key terms

The horizontal reference line in an elevation or section that represents the finished ground level. Heights of openings, plinth and storeys are measured from it, so it anchors the whole drawing vertically.

An imaginary vertical plane that slices through a building so the resulting section shows internal construction. Its position and viewing direction must be marked on the plan with a line and arrows.

The solid fill or hatching applied to elements cut by a section plane, such as walls and slabs. It distinguishes cut material from surfaces seen beyond, giving the section immediate visual depth.

An orthographic projection of a building facade onto a vertical plane, drawn without perspective. It records the arrangement, size and height of openings, materials and roof form as seen from one side.

A horizontal section taken at roughly one metre above floor level and viewed from above, showing walls, openings, stairs and fittings. It is the primary drawing for layout, circulation and dimensioning of spaces.

A method of representing a three-dimensional object by parallel projections onto planes at right angles to each other. Each view shows true shape and size for surfaces parallel to the projection plane, with no foreshortening.

A projection convention in which the object sits between the observer and the projection plane, so the view seen from the front is placed on the drawing sheet behind or beside it. Common in European and Cypriot practice.

The fixed ratio between a drawn length and the real length it represents, written as 1:50, 1:100 or similar. Choice of scale depends on the amount of detail required and the size of the sheet.

A drawn ruler, divided into labelled units, placed on a drawing so distances can be read directly. It remains correct when the sheet is photographically enlarged or reduced, unlike a written ratio alone.

A thin line with arrowheads or oblique ticks at its ends, drawn parallel to the distance being measured, carrying the numerical value. It is placed outside the object and tied to it by short extension lines.

A thin line projecting from the point being measured to the dimension line, showing exactly where the measurement starts and stops. It stops short of the object outline and crosses the dimension line slightly.

A continuous run of dimensions placed end to end along one line, giving the position of each opening or wall in turn. A separate overall dimension is normally added so rounding errors cannot accumulate unnoticed.

The height of the top surface of a finished floor, measured against a fixed datum and noted on plans and sections. It differs from structural slab level by the thickness of screed and floor finish.

A fixed reference height from which all vertical measurements on a project are taken, often related to sea level or a stated benchmark. Levels are written with a plus or minus sign and three decimal places.

The deliberate use of different line thicknesses to show importance and depth: heavy lines for cut elements, medium for visible edges, light for fittings and setting-out. Consistent weights make a drawing readable at a glance.

A very light line drawn to set out geometry, align elements or guide lettering, and normally left visible or lightly erased. It supports accurate drafting without competing with the final drawn information.

A pattern of closely spaced parallel or crossed lines used to identify a material or indicate a cut surface. Each material has a conventional pattern, and hatch spacing should stay constant within one drawing.

Standardised, legible uppercase lettering used for notes, titles and dimensions on drawings. Uniform height, consistent stroke and correct spacing matter more than personal style, because misread figures cause building errors.

The ruled panel, usually at the bottom right of the sheet, giving project name, drawing title, scale, date, drawing number and the names of the designer and checker. It controls revision and identifies every sheet.

A scalloped outline drawn around an area that has been changed since the previous issue, with the revision letter or number noted beside it. It lets reviewers find alterations quickly without comparing whole sheets.

A list of all drawings issued on a project, with numbers, titles, revision status and issue dates. It is the control document that shows which version of each sheet is current.

A drawing showing the plot boundary, the building footprint, access, parking, levels and surrounding context, usually at 1:200 or 1:500. It demonstrates compliance with coverage, setbacks and building height limits.

The factor that, multiplied by the plot area, gives the maximum permitted total floor area that may be built. It is a central control on density in Cypriot planning and directly shapes a residential design.

The maximum permitted proportion of a plot that may be covered by the building footprint when seen in plan. It limits how much of the site is built on and is checked together with the building coefficient.

The minimum distance a building must be kept from plot boundaries, roads or neighbouring structures. Setbacks protect light, privacy and fire access, and are measured and dimensioned on the site plan.

A wall that carries the weight of floors and roof down to the foundations, as well as its own weight. It cannot be removed or altered without structural design, and its thickness is shown clearly in plan.

A non-load-bearing wall built between structural columns and beams to enclose space. Because it carries no floor load, it can sometimes be removed in renovation, subject to checking the structure.

A horizontal beam over a door or window opening that carries the wall above and transfers its load to either side. It appears in section as a distinct element above the opening.

The depth of wall between the outer face and the window or door frame, visible as a return at the side of an opening. Its depth controls how much light enters and how the facade reads in elevation.

A table listing every window type with a reference code, size, sill height, material and glazing specification. It replaces repetitive annotation on the drawings and links plans and elevations to the specification.

Rise is the vertical height of one step and going is its horizontal depth. Consistent rise and going across a flight, within permitted limits, is the basic safety rule for stair design.

The clear vertical distance between a floor or landing and the underside of the construction above, including the stair flight. It must stay above a minimum value so users do not strike their heads.

The vertical distance from the stair pitch line or floor to the top of the handrail, commonly around 900 mm to 1000 mm. It is a regulated safety dimension shown in sections and stair details.

Material of low conductivity placed in walls, roofs and floors to reduce heat flow. In Cyprus it is critical for keeping summer heat out, and its position and thickness must appear in construction details.

A roof with a slight fall, typically 1 to 3 percent, to drains or gutters, built up from slab, screed, waterproofing and protection. Falls, outlets and upstands must be shown in the roof plan and details.

A roof formed of sloping planes meeting at a ridge, covered with tiles or similar. The pitch, ridge, eaves and verge are described in elevation and section, and ventilation at the eaves must be detailed.

The part of a plan given to movement between rooms, such as corridors, halls and stair landings. Its width and directness determine how efficiently the rest of the floor area can be used.

The grouping of rooms by activity, for example separating noisy daytime living areas from quiet night-time bedrooms. Good zoning reduces wasted circulation and improves privacy and comfort.

The relationship of rooms placed next to each other, judged by whether the connection is convenient or undesirable. Kitchen near dining and bedrooms away from living space are typical adjacency decisions in a house layout.

The percentage of external unobstructed sky illumination reaching a point inside a room. It guides window sizing and room depth, and explains why deep plans need courtyards or light wells.

Drawing by hand without instruments, used to explore ideas quickly and to record observations on site. Proportions, line confidence and clear annotation matter more than precision in this kind of drawing.

A parallel projection in which the object is rotated relative to the picture plane so three faces are visible, without the convergence of perspective. It keeps measurements to scale along the axes and suits explanatory architectural diagrams.