Elevation
Elevation refers to the drawings or visual representations that show what a building looks like from different sides when viewed straight-on, similar to a photograph of the building's face. These drawings are essential in architecture as they show the height, materials, and design features of buildings. Think of it like taking a picture of each side of a house - the front elevation shows what you see from the street, while side elevations show what you'd see from either side. Architects create these drawings to communicate their designs to clients, contractors, and planning authorities.
Examples in Resumes
Created detailed Elevation drawings for a 12-story commercial building using AutoCAD
Developed multiple Elevation options for client review on residential projects
Managed design team in producing Elevations and Building Elevations for mixed-use development
Typical job title: "Architectural Designers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Architectural Designers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle conflicts between design aesthetics and building code requirements in elevations?
Expected Answer: A senior architect should discuss their experience balancing creative design with practical requirements, mentioning specific examples of finding innovative solutions while maintaining compliance with building codes.
Q: How do you coordinate elevation designs with other building systems?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process of working with various teams (structural, mechanical, etc.) to ensure elevation designs integrate well with all building systems while maintaining aesthetic goals.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when designing building elevations?
Expected Answer: Should mention considering sunlight, weather conditions, building orientation, materials, cost constraints, and local architectural context in their elevation designs.
Q: How do you present elevation options to clients?
Expected Answer: Should describe their approach to preparing and presenting different design options, including use of visualization tools and ability to explain technical concepts in simple terms.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic elements are included in an elevation drawing?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list basic components like dimensions, materials, windows, doors, and explain how these are represented in elevation drawings.
Q: What software tools do you use for creating elevations?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate familiarity with common architectural software like AutoCAD, Revit, or SketchUp for creating elevation drawings.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic elevation drawing creation
- Understanding of architectural software
- Knowledge of basic building materials
- Simple design modifications
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex elevation design
- Material selection and specification
- Building code compliance
- Client presentation skills
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced design solutions
- Project coordination
- Team leadership
- Complex project management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to read or create basic elevation drawings
- No experience with architectural software
- Lack of understanding of building materials and their representation
- Poor communication skills when explaining design concepts
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