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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Drafting Architect

💰 $ - $

ArchitectureDraftingBIMConstruction DocumentsDesign

🎯 Role Definition

The Drafting Architect is a technically focused design professional responsible for producing high-quality construction documents, detailed drawings, and coordinated BIM deliverables. This role translates architectural concepts and design intent into precise 2D and 3D documentation (plans, elevations, sections, details, and schedules), ensures compliance with codes and specifications, coordinates multi-disciplinary inputs (MEP, structural, civil), and supports construction administration through clear, buildable drawings and revisions. Ideal candidates possess strong proficiency in Revit and AutoCAD, deep knowledge of construction detailing, and demonstrated experience managing drawing production workflows for medium to large building projects.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Architectural Technician / Draftsperson transitioning into architectural documentation roles
  • Junior Drafting Technician with 2D/3D CAD experience
  • Architectural Intern or Junior BIM Modeler completing initial BIM assignments

Advancement To:

  • Senior Drafting Architect or Lead Architectural Technologist
  • Project Architect responsible for design and construction documents
  • BIM Manager / BIM Coordinator overseeing standards and clash coordination
  • Technical Director or Head of Production for documentation teams

Lateral Moves:

  • BIM Coordinator / Model Manager
  • Construction Document Specialist / Specification Writer
  • Shop Drawing Coordinator for contractors or fabricators

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Produce complete, accurate, and code-compliant architectural construction documents (plans, elevations, sections, details, wall sections, schedules) from schematic and design development packages, ensuring consistency across sheets and disciplines.
  • Develop and maintain fully coordinated BIM models (Revit) and 2D CAD drawings (AutoCAD) to reflect architectural intent, construction sequencing, and buildability for architectural projects of varying scales.
  • Create detailed shop drawings, fabrication details, and millwork drawings by translating design intent into constructible, dimensioned, and toleranced drawings for contractors and fabricators.
  • Coordinate with structural, MEP, civil, landscape, and specialty consultants to resolve clashes, integrate systems into the architectural model, and produce clash-free construction documentation using tools like Navisworks and BIM 360.
  • Review and verify consultant and subcontractor drawings and submittals for compliance with architectural design, project specifications, and contract documents; provide clear mark-ups and annotated revision instructions.
  • Prepare and update drawing legends, sheet indexes, door and window schedules, finish schedules, and material callouts to ensure clarity and completeness of documentation for procurement and construction.
  • Conduct rigorous quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) of all documentation—checking line weights, annotation standards, dimensioning, layer management, and adherence to office CAD/BIM standards and templates.
  • Translate program requirements, building code constraints, and accessibility guidelines (e.g., IBC, ADA standards) into practical drafting solutions and compliant drawing annotations.
  • Maintain and develop office Revit families, AutoCAD blocks, and detail libraries to increase production efficiency and standardize deliverables across projects.
  • Implement and enforce CAD/BIM standards, naming conventions, file structures, and version control in support of disciplined deliverable workflows and multidisciplinary collaboration.
  • Prepare permit-ready drawings and coordinate permit submission packages with local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ), incorporating necessary code analysis, zoning diagrams, and referenced specifications.
  • Respond to RFIs, produce field sketches and as-built updates, and issue revised drawings during construction administration to address site conditions and contractor requests in a timely manner.
  • Collaborate with project architects and designers to refine details, materials, and assembly sequences, ensuring that documentation accurately conveys design intent and construction logic.
  • Create presentation-level drawings, exploded axonometrics, and detail illustrations for client meetings, design reviews, and stakeholder approvals while maintaining constructability.
  • Estimate drafting hours, manage workload distribution across the documentation team, and track deliverable milestones to meet project schedules and budget constraints.
  • Conduct constructability reviews and value-engineering input by proposing alternative detailing or material applications that reduce cost or simplify installation without compromising design intent.
  • Prepare coordination drawings and BIM execution plans for phased construction, modular components, and prefabricated assemblies to support off-site fabrication and efficient site installation.
  • Lead or mentor junior drafters and BIM technicians, providing training on Revit workflows, detailing standards, and best practices to raise team competency and output quality.
  • Archive project documentation, maintain a revision log for issued drawings and models, and ensure all deliverables are backed up and accessible for ongoing project needs or future renovations.
  • Liaise with contractors, fabricators, and vendors to clarify tolerances, interface conditions, and connection details prior to fabrication, reducing change orders and field rework.
  • Ensure that all deliverables adhere to sustainability requirements or certification documentation (LEED, WELL) when applicable, by detailing assemblies and material specifications required for compliance.

Secondary Functions

  • Support project teams in developing BIM Execution Plans, CAD standards, and drawing templates to streamline production and collaboration.
  • Assist in pre-construction coordination meetings and produce coordination plans and redlines that summarize technical resolutions and outstanding coordination items.
  • Participate in site visits as required to verify existing conditions, collect field measurements for as-built documentation, and confirm installation conforms to drawings.
  • Help prepare and maintain technical specifications and product data summaries that correspond with drawing callouts and schedules for procurement.
  • Provide ad-hoc technical assistance to architects and project managers by preparing quick studies, detail alternatives, and diagrammatic solutions for constructability issues.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by documenting drafting workflows, time-saving scripts, and Revit family libraries that increase delivery speed and consistency.
  • Coordinate with IT and BIM administrators to manage server storage, cloud collaboration platforms, and model sharing protocols across internal and external project stakeholders.
  • Assist in contract document reviews for scopes related to drawing production and shop drawing responsibilities, clarifying deliverable expectations and milestone dates.
  • Support marketing and BD teams by producing technical content for proposals, sample drawing packages, and portfolio-ready construction drawings demonstrating technical capability.
  • Provide training workshops or lunch-and-learn sessions on new drafting tools, software updates, and industry best practices to uplift office-wide technical proficiency.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert proficiency in Revit (modeling, families, annotation, worksharing, view templates) for architectural documentation and BIM coordination.
  • Advanced AutoCAD skills for 2D drafting, plot/print setup, layering conventions, and complex detailing workflows.
  • Strong experience with construction document production: plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, and specifications.
  • BIM coordination and clash detection experience using Navisworks, BIM 360, Solibri, or similar platforms to resolve interdisciplinary conflicts.
  • Proficiency in creating fabrication and shop drawings for architectural components, millwork, curtainwalls, and structural interfaces.
  • Knowledge of building codes (IBC, local codes), accessibility standards (ADA), fire and egress requirements, and their translation into documentation.
  • Skilled in producing and managing drawing families, blocks, detail libraries, and templates to standardize deliverables and speed production.
  • Experience with Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), or similar tools for PDF markup, redlines, and presentation graphics.
  • Ability to develop and use schedules, legends, and material takeoffs tied to models to support procurement and cost estimation.
  • Familiarity with construction administration workflows: RFIs, ASIs, change orders, submittal review, and as-built documentation processes.
  • Working knowledge of structural and MEP systems sufficient for coordination, interface detailing, and integration into architectural models.
  • Competence with cloud collaboration tools, version control, and model-sharing platforms (BIM 360, Procore, SharePoint).

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail with a strong commitment to producing error-free, buildable drawings and documentation.
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with architects, consultants, contractors, and clients.
  • Strong organizational and time-management abilities to prioritize multiple projects and meet tight documentation deadlines.
  • Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, providing constructive technical input.
  • Problem-solving orientation with the capacity to propose practical design solutions and workarounds for construction challenges.
  • Proactive ownership and accountability for deliverables, revisions, and QA/QC outcomes.
  • Mentoring and teaching aptitude to train junior staff and share drafting best practices.
  • Flexibility and adaptability to evolving project requirements, phasing, and last-minute design changes.
  • Client-focused professionalism when presenting technical information in a clear, non-technical manner.
  • Continuous-learning orientation with interest in new drafting technologies, BIM innovations, and construction methods.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree or diploma in Architectural Technology, Drafting, or related field; OR
  • Bachelor's degree in Architecture with relevant technical documentation experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) or Master of Architecture (M.Arch) with emphasis on construction documentation and BIM workflows.
  • Certifications in Revit Architecture, BIM Management, or architectural technology are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Architecture
  • Architectural Technology / Architectural Drafting
  • Civil Engineering / Construction Management
  • Building Science / Construction Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3 to 7+ years of progressive experience producing architectural drawings, BIM models, and construction documents in an architectural, engineering, or construction firm.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of direct Revit/BIM modeling and construction documentation experience on commercial, multifamily, institutional, or healthcare projects.
  • Demonstrated portfolio of construction drawings, shop drawings, and BIM coordination packages with evidence of successful construction administration support.
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