Technical Design Course | Architectural Detailing Basics - Volume 1
In this 12-part course, learn the fundamentals of technical design with our first instalment of Architectural Detailing Basics. In this lesson series we cover 4 of the most common junctions you'll come across in your career as an architect or technologist. The first volume shows you typical domestic, traditional construction details to gain a foundational knowledge of what goes into the construction of new homes.
- 4+ hours of premium content
- 12 step-by-step video lessons
- Future updates included
About this course
Throughout the course, you'll dive into the world of architectural detailing, focusing on four common junctions critical to architectural projects. Whether you're an aspiring architect or a seasoned professional looking to sharpen your skills, this course provides practical insights into the construction of new homes, covering typical domestic, traditional construction details.
This fundamental technical design course establishes you as a competent detailing specialist through comprehensive exploration of essential residential construction junctions. You'll develop expertise in creating accurate, buildable details for foundations, floor systems, and roof assemblies that meet building regulations while facilitating efficient construction processes.
The curriculum emphasizes practical coordination with structural engineers, building control officers, and contractors through clear technical drawings and comprehensive specification. You'll learn to anticipate construction challenges and specify appropriate materials and assemblies that ensure project success while avoiding costly construction errors.
Advanced documentation techniques include proper annotation strategies, element key systems, and professional sheet organization that communicate construction intent clearly to building teams. The course covers both 2D technical drawing and 3D modeling approaches that enhance understanding of complex construction assemblies.
These technical skills provide the foundation for successful architectural practice where construction knowledge directly impacts project delivery and professional credibility. The techniques learned apply to all building types where accurate technical documentation and construction coordination are essential for bringing architectural designs to successful completion.
What will you learn?
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This course will turn you into:
A technical detailing specialist
Master the fundamental construction junctions that form the backbone of residential architecture. Learn to create accurate, buildable details for foundations, floors, and roof assemblies that meet building regulations while facilitating efficient construction processes.
A construction coordination expert
Develop expertise in coordinating with structural engineers, building control, and contractors through clear technical drawings. Learn to anticipate construction challenges and specify appropriate materials and assemblies that ensure project success.
A professional documentation strategist
Gain skills in organizing and presenting technical information clearly through proper annotation, element keys, and sheet layouts. Learn to create construction drawing packages that communicate design intent effectively to construction teams.
Syllabus
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Meet your instructor
Adam Morgan
Architectural Director
ThreeForm Architects
Hi, I'm Adam. I am the founder and director of ThreeForm Architects, a team of architects and artists in Liverpool, UK. The office is experienced in a wide range of building types and procurement routes, successfully winning projects with contract values of up to £20 million. We work for a broad spectrum of public and private sector clients across the country.
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