Architect designs are the documentation produced by an architect that will lead to the construction or modification of an edifice. These may include items such as blueprints and sketches, but are usually considered separate from models and samples. The degree of detail and documentation required from the architect designs to build the represented structure may vary. In the very least, an architect usually provides blueprints when hired to produce designs.
Many different kinds of architect designs exist in the world, but blueprints may be considered the most basic. Blueprints often show floor plans and other relevant building information. Locations of pipes, electrical outlets, and doors will often be noted on these documents. While these kinds of architect designs are useful for professionals, they do not always give clients a complete mental image of how the building will look.
Sketches of the building as the architect sees it are another important part of architect designs. These images help clients understand how the building will look in a way that is familiar. Representative images may be made by hand or may be created on computers. It is even possible to create complex 3D architect designs on computers, giving a sense of a walk through of the home.
Sometimes, an architect may produce a representation that evokes a sense of what the final building will look like, not what it will technically look like. An artistic representation may help clients get a feel for a building. Architects always produce technical drawings, even if they produce artistic ones as well, because technical drawings are required to build the structure.
The way in which an architect produces a design may vary depending on his or her training and preferences. Many architects prefer to do some planning on paper, while others work entirely on computers. In any case, any final design that is to be used by contractors or others who are physically producing the building must conform to standard representational conventions so that those following the design can understand what it says.
Other features may also be planned using an architect's design. Landscapes, for instance, are often planned by a certain type of architect. Offices that have complex furniture needs, parking garages, or even airport terminals may all be covered by these designs. The purpose of the design is primarily to represent to others how the structure will look and how it will be made, but the design should display and account for the complex planning that has gone into the structure.
