Blog
Architectural Model Making – The Guide
What is an architectural model? The architectural model is a tool often used to express a building design or masterplan. The model represents architectural ideas, and can be used at all stages of design. An architectural model shows the scale...
Drawing Equipment Guide for Architects
Tools of the Trade Drawing is such a key part of an architectural process, people say that drawing is thinking out loud. It is a skill we hone and develop as we work through our studies and on into our careers - there is always room for improvement....
Understanding Architectural Details – Commercial 2nd Edition
Understanding Architectural Details - Commercial (2nd Edition) The ebook that will help you significantly improve your knowledge of commercial construction detailing. After the success of the first two Understanding Architectural Details ebooks, I...
14 Books Every Architecture Student Should Read
Have you been wondering what books every architecture student should read? The following books are recommendations and suggestions from myself, and the First In Architecture Community. We have put together a selection of books that we feel are a great read...
New Architecture Student Essentials
Your guide to being a new architecture student, with equipment suggestions and free downloads getting you ready for your architecture studies. Make sure you read right through to the end to get your new student downloads. Advice for new Architecture students So, you...
FIA Free CAD Block – Dynamic Scale Bar
Learning new skills with SourceCAD I recently signed up for an online course to learn how to make dynamic blocks. I have always seen the benefit of using dynamic blocks, as a great time saver, but never got around to learning how to do it myself. The course from...
SketchUp FAQ 03 – How to Model Terrain in SketchUp
Ever wondered how to model terrain in SketchUp?We will show you how!Giving your building design context is really important when it comes to 3d modelling. Your building needs to stand in its surrounding landscape in order to give it a sense of scale and...
Free CAD Blocks – Street Lighting
Here is a set of free cad blocks provided by CADdetails.com. I hope you find them useful. Please feel free to download them and add them to your personal library. We would like to thank CADdetails.com for allowing us to share their CAD blocks - they have a vast...
Creative Mapping and Data Visualisation Techniques for Architects
Before we get started - I want to let you know that you can download a free handy PDF of this article by clicking on the button below. Download Now! What is Mapping and Data Visualisation? Mapping and data visualisation are becoming key techniques used by architecture...
SketchUp FAQ 02: How to change units in SketchUp
Back with more from our SketchUp FAQ. I have looked at some of the things I get asked the most about SketchUp and put together a list of frequently asked questions to help out those of you that might be new to sketchup or have a few questions they want...
Our Best BIM Object Sites
With BIM technology attracting an ever increasing user base, the demand for BIM objects is growing by the day. What does this mean? Well for me, it is a little more tricky to put together some BIM object free downloads than it is for me to rustle up a new set of 2D...
Free CAD Blocks – Shipping Containers
Here is another set of free cad blocks from the First In Architecture Cad Block database. IÂ hope you find them useful. Please feel free to download them. My free autocad block library continues to grow - if you have any suggestions for useful content please get in...
SketchUp FAQ 01: Can SketchUp open a dwg file?
CI have looked at some of the things I get asked the most about SketchUp and put together a list of frequently asked questions to help out those of you that might be new to sketchup or have a few questions they want answered. First in that series is the...
Guide to CAD Layering Standards
A layer in cad is a way to differentiate between the different lines that are drawn on a page. The layer can be assigned properties such as linewieght, line type and colour and can be made visible or hidden, amongst other things. You can use layers in a drawing for...
Free CAD Blocks – Park Signs 02
Here is a set of free cad blocks provided by CADdetails.com. I hope you find them useful. Please feel free to download them and add them to your personal library. We would like to thank CADdetails.com for allowing us to share their CAD blocks - they have a vast...
Building Regulations Basic Requirements For Your Project
In this part of the Building Regulations series, we will look at some of the key points to consider when designing to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations. We will look at some of the more common works to existing properties, and mention some of the main...
Free CAD Blocks – Play Equipment
Here is a set of free cad blocks provided by CADdetails.com. I hope you find them useful. Please feel free to download them and add them to your personal library. We would like to thank CADdetails.com for allowing us to share their CAD blocks - they have a vast...
Do I need Building Regulations Approval? Some FAQs
In this post we look at some of the frequently asked questions when work is being carried out to an existing property. This will give an overview as to the requirements, but also links to further reading and resources. It is possible to make some alterations to your...
Free CAD Blocks – Fountains
Here is a set of free cad blocks provided by CADdetails.com. I hope you find them useful. Please feel free to download them and add them to your personal library. We would like to thank CADdetails.com for allowing us to share their CAD blocks - they have a vast...
The Party Wall Act – A Message to Designers
This week we have a guest post from Alex Frame of the Faculty of Party Wall surveyors who is giving us an introduction to the Party Wall Act. It is really great to receive some insight into a topic that crops up during our designs on a regular basis, but many...
Free CAD Blocks – Park Signs 01
Here is a set of free cad blocks provided by CADdetails.com. I hope you find them useful. Please feel free to download them and add them to your personal library. We would like to thank CADdetails.com for allowing us to share their CAD blocks - they have a vast...
Introduction to the Building Regulations
In this post we are going to introduce you to the basics of English Building Regulations, and the approval required when carrying out new build work or adaptations/extensions to existing properties. We will also take a look at some of the frequently asked questions...
Free CAD Blocks – Fences and Gates
Here is a set of free cad blocks provided by CADdetails.com. I hope you find them useful. Please feel free to download them and add them to your personal library. We would like to thank CADdetails.com for allowing us to share their CAD blocks - they have a vast...
Learning AutoCAD with Free and Premium Video Courses
AutoCAD, the flagship product of Autodesk is certainly the most popular design and drafting software available in the industry. And just like any other software it also has its own learning curve. If you need to learn autocad, we know where you need to go... read on....