Why are architecture blueprints important?
For centuries, about 12,000 year ago, people from every walk of life have contributed to man-made structures as a lasting landmark upon the land. Those structures came in many different forms and were primarily for shelter with the advent of agrarian societies and later usually dedicated to a higher authority. One step in creating these testimonies to manโs understanding of the environment is starting with a Plan. The earliest construction plans were created on papyrus by Royal Master Builders in Egypt when planning pyramid building and other mega structures. This technical knowledge of building materials and visionary ideas continued through each great civilization. Every great idea begins with a plan, therefore blueprints matter.
What is a blueprint? The term blueprint was widely used in mid-late 1800โs to produce rapid and accurate copies of drawings for the design and construction industry. In the 1940โs whiteprints, or bluelines on white paper become the method of choice for Architects until the common day xerox copy technology was invented in the 1970โs using toner and bond paper. Modern practices also incorporate the use of digital prints through a portable document format or PDF. The term โBlueprintโ is now interchangeable with many formats for drawing reproductions.
Enter the Architect
Once a projectย begins, whether it be a residential addition or a new commercial development, plans are required to bring any project into existence. This is where the Architect, or dream maker, works their creative and technical mind along with incorporating the clients wishes and desires onto a blank sheet of paper.
Every projectย at McCants Architectureย is a new and distinctive creation that is born out of inspiration to manifest into a workable plan. In most cases, clients have an idea or list of what they want but once we present our solutions to respond to their list, the light comes on above their heads and they being to see the possibilities that can make their project more concrete – No pun intended.
Why can’t I save a buck or two?
I have encountered a common concern from clients because they had no clue that blueprints can be expensive. One responsive I give is that Architects provide a service that brings together ideas and transforms them into a plan that can be interpreted by a competent contractor. This design process is part organic and part educational. We utilize learned practices that have transcended through time to communicate visual ideas into a workable form โ while using building materials within the marketplace.
It is a long road to becoming a licensed architect which requires a lengthy educational program, internships, and a series of test to get your license. The Architect must also carry liability insurance on every project to guarantee that you are protected from receiving substandard plans which can be a significant expense.
We have seen the plans from people who wanted to save a buck, and the results have not been good.โฏ The value option might deliver less than adequate methods, which will cost the contractor time and money in the field. This will ultimately affect the quality of work, time lost due to adjustments on site, and increased budget from purchasing additional supplies and materials and labor overages. Not to mention, the architectโs time to make adjustments.
Architecture blueprints are an investment worth making
On average, depending on the project’s complexity, the Architect’s fee is 5% – 10% of the cost of construction for a typical project. This percentage can amount to the cost to fabricate and install kitchen cabinets, or the finished flooring. Think of this cost as a necessity to be included in building a new home or commercial building.
A detailed set of blueprints are a small price to pay for an important financial investment and will ensure your contribution to society will be lasting.
It is not me it’s you
Well executed and meticulously designed plans can be hard for some people to conceptualize in their mind’s eye. If so,ย weย incorporate 3D renderings as an additional aid to help communicate the Client’s wishes reflected in graphical form.
But ensuring that the Client understands the intent and outcome of the project is most important and not getting lost in the details. This is where the plans take on a different meaning, becoming a road map from A to Z. Meaning that as long as the Client trusts ourย direction,ย approves theย estimated budget andย coordinatesย with the contractor to maintain quality and timeline – the finished product will meet, if not exceed the Client’s expectations.
The above image is rendering from our portfolio of architecture projects โ feel free to check them out to see more!
In Conclusion โ Projects need a good plan to be successfulย
Construction plans or โBlueprintsโ have been around a long timeย and have kept up with modernizationย thus proving its critical need in the design and construction industry.ย From the first hunter-gatherers, temple buildersย to skyscrapers, planning before doing has beenย at the core.
Therefore, when undergoing a large financial investment into a Church, office building, family residence, private business and even aย car wash, a good plan makes a difference. Plans resolve items thatย can beย overlooked if not properly coordinatedย during construction. Aย good architect andย the right set of plans willย save you money byย employing best practicesย when thinking aboutย energy efficiency, land orientation andย maximizingย the space within your building.
Construction projectsย canย suffer due to a lack ofย planning andย vision, a competent architectย makes theย plan and theย vision plain.