There has to be an upside to being married to an architect – right? For those on the inside looking out (i.e.spouses) I would have to say one major upside is that most architects have created drawings of their own houses, even if they didn’t designed them. Architects call these drawings “As-Builts” which are exactly what they sound like – drawings that reflect the current condition of a building or space. Having as-built drawings is really important to people like me because it allows us to figure out long term solutions to current problems. Having these types of drawings allows me to look at the bigger picture before I make a small design gesture because I hate the idea of spending money on a problem only to have to rip it out and re-do it a few years later. This is called “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder” planning ahead, and that’s what I like to do.
So, to the point of things. I made as-built drawings of my house once I moved in almost 5 years ago and they have come in handy yet once again. As it turns out, due to the latest batch of Texas storms that have come through town, my fence needs some attention … and by “attention” I mean “it’s threatening to fall over”. Soooooo, we have a fence guy coming out and while he’s there repairing the fence, why not take advantage of the situation and make some additional modifications.
cue “AS-BUILTS”
So I drew up what I wanted the fence guy to build, just to make sure that the scope of work is clear, and he goes down to the city to get a fence permit (’cause I like to follow THAT particular rule) … aaaaaand we hit a bit of a snag. The guy down at the city tells him:
“If you do any work at all – new OR repair – you have to build a new 3′ x 5′ trash enclosure off the alley”
… and of course that means it’s going to cost me an additional $Whole Lotta$ – gotta love the building department [no you don’t].
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See the red square in the drawing above? That’s the area that is going to get my extra special attention. What you see in the plan drawing is what I currently have – which is nothing much to speak of. The fence is old and not bringing anything to the mix as far as the ambiance of my backyard is concerned. I should also point out that I have a carport at my place with two small closets that are currently storing 3 closets worth of awesomeness. I have things (like a wheelbarrow) that don’t really have a home so it currently lives propped up against that rear fence.
But I have a plan … as in I literally have a plan
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Here is an enlarged plan of the area in red in the previous diagram. This time, I have drawn in the fence plan that I will my fence guy will be building. The goal was to provide a screened in rear yard that would give me a place to store those pesky bags of mulch, my wheelbarrow, even possibly my bikes (don’t be alarmed, they’re not that great). The new fence facing the yard will have an opening right in the middle because I already have planting beds running running along both edges and I don’t want to have to walk through them to access my new service yard. I have placed another fence 4′-0″ behind this center opening so that you won’t be able to see into my service yard unless you basically walk right up to the opening. Finally, I have also dealt with the 3′ x 5′ city required trash enclosure by placing it in alignment with the other new fence opening.
How would you solve and convey this solution to your fence guy without having as-built drawings? The other positive to having this drawing was that I was able to effectively communicate my design intentions to my lovely wife without having to rely on standing out in the yard pointing and gesticulating … even though we did that as well, mostly because it’s more fun. But it was the drawing itself that sealed the deal!
I sent this off to the fence guy and he shortly messaged me back saying that the city signed off on everything [because the drawings were so awesome] and he would be back in the morning to start work.
Gosh darn it I love me some as-built drawings! You should seriously consider getting some done of your own house.
Carry on.
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Bob, i’m a big fan of your blog and that’s the first time i say hello. It’s funny how perceptions move people foward and before the main subject of my comment appears, i must say that one of the first things that made me love your blog was the 1960’s architect lettering! It always reminds me of blueprints (why they are blue, why the lines are white and why they are so beautiful?)
Anyway, i’m and architect from Brazil and i’m making an as built myself those days to my new home and i thought one thing: how do you handle huge amount of files and documentation? Do you follow any standard organization system?
ps: i’m really thinking of making a blog like yours, full of reflections about our day-by-day problems with sense of humour!
I love how your a nostalgic architect who uses Digital programs to draft (As we all have to do now) but with that damn 1960’s architect lettering FONT…..WHY!! WHY!!!!! Just face it, digital technology has and will always take away the MADMEN era of architecture – cigarettes hanging out of the draft mans lip, room filed with smoke at 8am in the morning, cute little secretaries walking by with cups of coffee…..half tilted electronic drafting desk that are longer than a 65 Impala ……..Just accept it Bob, and use a standard robot font like the rest of us……I couldn’t finish your talk on As-builts because of this…….you should have put your fence design into a parametric modeling program….generated something that can not be built…..printed it out…and then hand lettered all over that.
sounds like you have some personal issues to attend to – or maybe I am missing your point.
I am struggling with the concept that the font I choose to use in my non-parametric drawing should disturb some one so much that they can’t continue? I think they have pills for that sort of thing
They have upped my dosage – obviously it’s not working…..? Was having fun……when I look at the drawing the font was more powerful to me than anything else….reminded me of an old house drawing by Paul Rudolph……but you have to admit to me….there is a reason the normal / standard font is not of any interest for you? I am not trying offend….I just notice this about Architects…..where I did my undergrad degree – in New Mexico at UNM – there was this Architect who designed his house in 2007 and did the drawings by hand – so he could have his hand-lettered drawings.
Ha, how funny you posted this today as I’m playing around with my own set of as-built drawings (the one’s I did a few years ago). They come in very handy especially when one wants to do a re-design of the existing space and without them someone just assumes (the spouse) “it will fit there.” I keep reworking them, eventually I’ll get the solution I’m after, but the drawings are helpful. Each time I get a eureka moment in my head, I go to the drawings and see if my new idea will work. Memory and measurements (reality) often collide.
Good luck at the new place. Looking forward to meeting you IRL at Brizo this summer.
Lisa
Thanks Lisa – me too!
Most of my ideas are dashed due to actual measurements
Amazingly enough, the hard-working people in the office over on Jefferson are quite vice if you are professional and nice to them.
Clear design intent, and having taken the time to look for what they look for, helps too. Like if the new work iaffects which sort of vehicle goes down that service alley. or requires ‘wrong side” collection.
I’ve always dimensioned out the places/spaces I’ve lived, if only to accomodate the interior design requirements. Done that for others, too, including modeling the interior elevations to “test” interior decor & window treatments virtually.
Texas RE law (functionally) requires a land survey on sale, and surveyors are (generally) willing to email you an ACAD copy of the drawing that went to the Title Company.. This gives and excellent starting point to rectify all the interior measurements taken of the empty space before move-in.
So, yeah, I’ve got that “OCD” too (just not bad enough to hae CDO, which is OCD, only with the letters in alphabetical order, the way they are supposed to be ).
hilarious – CDO 🙂
I didn’t have to work through Jefferson, this was in University Park (who are also nice but extreme rule followers). I provided a survey AND my drawings to the city but we had a hard time locating one of the property line pins and the folks at the city would not let us work solely off the existing survey records.
At least we’re moving forward now – in fact, it will probably be almost done by the time I get home this evening.
I forced my husband to measure the entire house we were purchasing after the house inspection so that I could figure out where our existing furniture and stuff would go. Made moving so much easier! Now I use the plans to dream about what I would like to do with the house. 🙂
that’s how it is supposed to work –
Long Live As-Builts!!
I find I do as built drawings of hotel rooms that I frequent, which is very helpful if you’ve ever misplaced something and need to tell housekeeping where to look
wow – that is seriously planning ahead!
Another of the MANY 😉 benefits of being an architect….putting those drafting skills to good use.
of course – the benefits are too long to list (but I would have to run that list past my wife for “quality control” and “hyperbole extraction”)
I have “as builts” for my gardens and graph the vegetable garden each year. My friends find it hysterical….I try to explain that it is just adequate planning. No? We need to work on our as builts for the farmhouse. I think hubby has sketched it, along with his plans for the demo and remodel.
I bet there are many, many versions of the farmhouse drawings…
Laughing it up!! Currently working on some for our new sea-side house!! wish me luck!
Sea-side house? Bet it’s somewhere in France too, isn’t it?
Doesn’t sound like you need any more luck to me, you need a house guest. References can be provided…
Bob,
Great article/example of why as-built drawings are handy!
Keep up the good work, and good luck at your new office!
Collin Zalesak
Thanks Collin!
Bob, I toroughly enjoy your writing. Theyve become mandatory for a smile each morning. I have that “as-buit” for a house I didnt build…but have altered somewhat including the grounds. Mine was purely for the introduction to pretty, vivdly colored landscape drawings for my wife to visualize understand vs having to “gesticulate” which would have allowed for more than one opinion…seeing all the work I provided with the drawing she didnt dare disuade me from moving ahead. I havent looked back since….of course I havent completed the design yet either…that was 10 years ago…I may want to finally start…now where did I put those drawings?
David R Proffitt, AIA
always keep those drawings close at hand – like under your pillow. Those vividly colored landscape drawings will inspire your dreams …
Thanks for commenting, I appreciate you taking the time
I will forever associate the word “awesome” with you. That is a good thing, of course.
and I take it as such. Not just anyone can bend space to get three closets worth of treasure into the space of two closets … this is a special gift of spacial awareness that only architects (and hoarders) possess
Luckily I designed my house, so drawings are done. I have been slowly documenting the landscaping, all 1.5 acres. OCD.
Other may say OCD but we know better. Triangulating the precise location of the trees in your yard (and the canopy, don’t forget about the canopy) is important and we NEED to know these things.
Good luck with your 65,340 square foot as-builts
Ha Ha Ha I have as- built plans over every place i have lived. Prior to purchasing the house i am in now, i measured the entire exterior and placed the interior walls from memory of my previous visit to the inside. How funny it was to see what I drew versus the actual layout.
1/8 scale pencil on velum by the way. Bob, I personally like your font
care to share which one it is ?