Expert: Bill DeShawn - 11/1/2009

Question
please what are d steps involved when designing a building using autocad?

Answer
Moyo:
Things might be different in Nigeria, but here in Portland, Oregon, USA, I like to say the first thing is to be familiar with the topography of the building site.  What are the styles of the homes in the area?  Consult with the owner or builder to get as balance of features that he wants in his home, and what he can afford.  Get information from your local government on how high you can build your building in the area in which you want to build and how close to the property lines you are allowed to build.  Check on other requirements, such as storm water management, waste water management, availability of public utilities, etc.  If no public sewer is available, a septic tank and drain field will need to be designed into the site plan.  In many areas regardless of the amount of rainfall, to conserve water and sometimes for the sake of storm water management, it is often a good idea to collect the storm water and use it as you may need to in order to irrigate landscaped areas around the buildling.  When designing a building, the possibility of earthquakes and flooding needs to be taken into account, and addressed in the design.  Structural engineers need to be consulted to insure that lateral loads from winds and seismic activity and point loads from roofs are properly resisted and supported.  In the cases of attached dwellings or businesses, fire-resistant party walls should be built between units.  So, there is a lot to learn about building design.  Believe it or not, although I am pretty good at AutoCAD, I really am not an architect or a building designer.  Architects are professionals that have taken the time to learn their art and profession in a university and have earned their architectural degree.  I am unaware of what educational opportunities there are for you in Nigeria, but if it is possible, please consider education in the profession.  Otherwise, get help from experienced builders or designers in your area.

Before we get into the aspects of drawing plans in AutoCAD, can you tell me please - are you planning to make a building in which there will be a stairway?  Or will the building be just one level?  Is it to be a single-family residence, commercial building, apartment complex, or warehouse?  Use the follow-up feature to reply.

Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn