DEFINING THE SECTION CUT
As withfloor plans, it is critical in a buildingsection to
distinguish between solid matter and spatial void and to
discern precisely where mass meets space in a bu ilding
section. Inorder to convey a sense of depth and the
existence of spatial volumes, we must utilize ahierarchy of
linew
eights or arange of tonal values. The technique we use
depends on the scale of t he building section, t he drawing
medium, and the required degree of contrast bet ween solid
matter and spatial void.
• This is a building section drawn with a single lineweight. It
is difficult to discernwhat is cut and what is seen in
elevation beyond the plane of the cut.
• This drawinguses a hierarchy of line weights to convey a
sense of spatial depth.
____ - ~ The heaviest line weight profiles the plan shapes of cut
_
elements. Note that these profiles are always continuous;
they can never intersect at another cut lineor terminate
at a line of lesser weight.
_.Jf===-""'f"i~ _____, Intermediate line weights delineate t hose element s that
are seen in elevation beyond t he section cut. The farther
back an element is from the plane of the sectioncut, the
lighter the line weight should be.
---l~--++--++1-+--- The lightest line weights represent surface lines. These
lines donot signify any change in form. They sim
ply
represent the visual pattern or texture of wall planes and
other vertical surfaces parallel to the picture plane.
/__.
- · In design sect ions, construction details offoundations
and footings below grade need not be indicated. lf shown,
they are part of the surrounding soil mass and should be
drawn light ly.
58 I ARCHITECTURA LGRAPH ICS