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Edith Green-Wyatt Federal Building: A Green Architecture Case Study

Staircase Drawing Guide: Plan, Elevation & Angle Views for Architecture Sheets

Learn how to represent building materials using symbols in drafting and CAD drawings. This guide helps B.Arch students create accurate architectural sheets with standard hatching, notations, and material representation.

Material Symbols in Building Materials & Construction Subject: A Complete Guide for B.Arch Students

Angle Junctions in Brickwork: Explained with Diagrams for Architecture Students

Learn how grey bricks are manufactured from raw materials to finished products. This guide for B.Arch students explains the industrial process, material composition, and how to represent bricks in architectural sheets.

How Bricks Are Made: Grey Brick Manufacturing Process Explained for Architecture Undergraduates

Discover the key principles of architectural design, from proportion and balance to sustainability and context. This guide explains design principles in architecture with fresh case study examples that B.Arch students can reference in their sheets, juries, and research.

Design Principles in Architecture: Explained with Latest Case Study Examples

Learn the different types of foundations in architecture with detailed plans, sections, elevations, and 3D diagrams. This guide helps B.Arch students draft accurate sheets with proper nomenclature and scale.

Different Types of Foundations in Architecture: Plan, Section, Elevation & 3D Diagrams for B.Arch Students

Material Symbols a Drafting Guide for Architecture Students

In architecture, drawings are a universal language. To communicate material types clearly to builders, engineers, and reviewers, architects use standardised material symbols. For B.Arch students, mastering material hatching and symbols is critical, both in hand-drafted sheets and CAD drawings.

Using correct symbols ensures that construction intentions are understood, while also giving sheets a professional, academic appeal for juries and submissions. This guide explores the common material symbols, their application in drawings, and tips for drafting on A1 or A3 sheets.

Concrete is represented with diagonal cross-hatching or dots. It’s used for walls, slabs, and structural elements.

Student Tip: In CAD, use “.hatch” commands or preloaded concrete patterns. Annotate with “RCC/Concrete” for clarity.

Bricks are usually indicated with diagonal hatching or staggered lines to represent courses.

Student Tip: Label the brick type and size (e.g., “Red Clay Brick – 230x110x75 mm”).

Stone is represented with irregular hatching or stippling to suggest natural texture.

Student Tip: Avoid over-cluttering; use texture to distinguish from brick or concrete.

Glass is shown with double lines and diagonal cross-hatching or simply clear with light hatching for transparency.

Student Tip: Use thin lines in CAD and annotate with “Glass – toughened” for clarity.

Wood is represented with parallel lines or grain patterns.

Student Tip: Maintain consistent spacing; avoid over-texturing which clutters sheets.

Earth walls or adobe can be represented with dots or cross-hatching to show granular texture.

Student Tip: Mainly for traditional construction projects; keep patterns subtle.

Student Tip: Use legend boxes at the corner of the sheet to explain hatching patterns for juries or exams.

Q1. Why are material symbols important in architectural drawings?

They communicate material type and construction intent clearly to builders and reviewers.

Q2. Are material symbols different in CAD and hand drawings?

Yes, CAD uses preloaded hatch patterns and layers, while hand drawings use standard hatching and textures.

Q3. How do I show multiple materials on one wall?

Use different hatching patterns for each layer (e.g., brick core, plaster, insulation) and label clearly.

Yes, but most B.Arch programs follow IS codes or standard architectural drafting symbols.

Q5. Should I include a legend in my sheet?

Always. A small legend box explaining hatches and materials makes sheets more professional.

Material Symbols in Building Materials & Construction Subject: A Complete Guide for B.Arch Students

Skill Test

Ar. Pragya Laungani

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