What type of drawing is used to show the appearance of one side of a building?

An elevation drawing is specifically designed to depict the external appearance of a building from one side. It provides a flat, two-dimensional view that shows the architectural details, materials, texture, and proportions of the façade. Elevation drawings are crucial for both the architectural design process and for conveying to clients and builders what the finished structure will look like.

These drawings help illustrate not just the height and width of the building components but also the relationships between various elements, ensuring that the design is realized as intended. By focusing on one side at a time, elevation drawings emphasize the vertical aspects of a structure, capturing features such as windows, doors, and decorative elements.

In contrast, ground plane drawings typically represent the layout of a site or floor from a top-down view, while plan drawings showcase horizontal cross-sections of rooms and spaces within the structure. Detail drawings focus on specific components or construction methods but do not provide a comprehensive view of the building's exterior. Hence, elevation drawings are the key tool for showcasing one side of a building effectively.