What are Architectural Documents?

What comprises architectural documents?

According to Section 20 of RA 9266 (The Architecture Act of 2000):
All architectural plans, designs, specifications, drawings and architectural documents relative to the construction of a building shall bear the seal and signature only of an architect registered and licensed under this Act together with his/her professional identification card number and the date of its expiration.

So what are these so-called architectural documents?
The IRR of RA 9266 further defines it as: “Architectural Documents” means architectural drawings, specifications, and other outputs of an Architect that only an Architect can sign and seal consisting, among others, of vicinity maps, site development plans, architectural program, perspective drawings, architectural floor plans, elevations, sections, ceiling plans, schedules, detailed drawings, technical specifications and cost estimates, and other instruments of service in any form.

R.A. No. 9266 and its IRR clearly state that architectural documents e.g. perspectives, architectural floor plans/ sections/ elevations/ reflected ceiling plans/ roof plans, schedules of finishes/ hardware, detailed designs, architectural specifications/ estimates, architectural contract/ tender documents, etc. are all part of the scope of the regulated practice of architecture.

Meanwhile, Section 302.4 of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (RIRR) of PD 1096 (National Building Code) further cites:

4. Architectural Documents

a. Architectural Plans/Drawings

i. Vicinity Map/Location Plan within a 2.00 kilometer radius for commercial, industrial, and institutional complex and within a half-kilometer radius for residential buildings, at any convenient scale showing prominent landmarks or major thoroughfares for easy reference.

ii. Site Development Plan showing technical description, boundaries, orientation and position of proposed building/structure in relation to the lot, existing or proposed access road and driveways and existing public utilities/services. Existing buildings within and adjoining the lot shall be hatched and distances between the proposed and existing buildings shall be indicated.

iii. Perspective drawn at a convenient scale and taken from a vantage point (bird’s eye view or eye level).

iv. Floor Plans drawn to scale of not less than 1:100 showing: gridlines, complete identification of rooms or functional spaces.

v. Elevations, at least four (4), same scale as floor plans showing: gridlines; natural ground to finish grade elevations; floor to floor heights; door and window marks, type of material and exterior finishes; adjoining existing structure/s, if any, shown in single hatched lines.

vi. Sections, at least two (2), showing: gridlines; natural ground and finish levels; outline of cut and visible structural parts; doors and windows properly labeled reflecting the direction of opening; partitions; built-in cabinets, etc.; identification of rooms and functional spaces cut by section lines.

vii. Reflected ceiling plan showing: design, location, finishes and specifications of materials, lighting fixtures, diffusers, decorations, air conditioning exhaust and return grills, sprinkler nozzles, if any, at scale of at least 1:100.

viii. Details, in the form of plans, elevations/sections:

• (a) Accessible ramps
• (b) Accessible stairs
• (c) Accessible lifts/elevators
• (d) Accessible entrances, corridors and walkways
• (e) Accessible functional areas/comfort rooms
• (f) Accessible switches, controls
• (g) Accessible drinking fountains
• (h) Accessible public telephone booths
• (i) Accessible audio visual and automatic alarm system
• (j) Accessible access symbols and directional signs
• (k) Reserved parking for disabled persons
• (l) Typical wall/bay sections from ground to roof
• (m) Stairs, interior and exterior
• (n) Fire escapes/exits
• (o) Built-in cabinets, counters and fixed furniture
• (p) All types of partitions

ix. Schedule of Doors and Windows showing their types, designations/marks, dimensions, materials, and number of sets.

x. Schedule of Finishes, showing in graphic form: surface finishes specified for floors, ceilings, walls and baseboard trims for all building spaces per floor level.

xi. Details of other major Architectural Elements.

What is the difference between building plans and architectural plans?

Building plans means ALL the plans necessary for the construction of a project. It would include architectural plans by an architect, civil/structural plans by a civil engineer, electrical plans by a professional electrical engineer, mechanical plans by a mechanical engineer, plumbing and sanitary plans by a master plumber and sanitary engineer, electronics plans by an electronics engineer, fire safety plans, etc.

Architectural Plans means a two (2)-dimensional representations reflecting a proposed development / redevelopment of an enclosed/ semi-enclosed or open area showing features or elements such as columns, walls, partitions, ceiling, stairs, doors, windows, floors, roof, room designations, door and window call-outs, the architectural layout of equipment, furnishings, furniture and the like, specifications callouts, elevation references, drawing references and the like; the architectural plan is the representation of a lateral section for a proposed building/ structure (running parallel to the ground) and at a height of from 1.0 – 1.5 meters above the finished floor; the term may also collectively refer to other architectural designs such as cross/ longitudinal sections, elevations, roof plan, reflected ceiling plan; detailed sections and elevations showing architectural interiors, detailed architectural designs, door and window schedules, other architectural finishing schedules and the like.

Posted in: Architecture,National Building Code,PD 1096,ProfPrac,RA 9266