When you join an architecture course at a college or institute, you aspire to become a professional architect at the end of the course. While learning every architecture student needs a certain number of professional architecture tools, supplies and instruments for architectural drawings, drafts, building models. We have listed down various architecture tools and design tools that would help you take the initial steps to attain your architecture dream.
We have categorized these architecture tools and supplies into 5 groups.
| 1. Paper Supplies |
| 2. Drawing Supplies |
| 3. Measurement Scales |
| 4. Modeling Supplies |
| 5. Utility Items |
1. PAPER SUPPLIES
a. Notebook
Write down your thoughts, ideas, measurements and draw the designs. These square grid notebooks are good for making line drawings and dimensions.
b. Tracing Paper
These sheets are helpful when tracing designs and marking on areas.
c. Sketch Book
Draw designs and perspectives on these spiral sketchbooks that are easy to carry and you can easily pullout drawings if required.
2. DRAWING SUPPLIES
a. Drawing set
A well-organized drawing set is most essential as it saves time and helps to create great sketches.
b. Mechanical Pencil
This pencil is great when you need clean lines and who likes sharpening pencils all the time.
c. Electric Eraser
This eraser comes handy when you need to erase quickly and properly without damaging the paper sheet.
c. Liner Pens
Best pens to use for writing and drawing on every kind of paper. The ink flow is quite nice and smooth.
d. Water Brush Pens
These brushes with water inside are just amazing as they somehow work better than the traditional paintbrushes. Just add some color directly and distinguish spaces within your sketches.
e. Compass set
Quite essential as it used for inscribing circles or arcs in architectural drawings.
f. Alcohol Markers
Great substitutes for watercolors or paints that add convenience. These are quite useful to distinguish areas, markings and materials.
g. LED Tracing board
This board with an LED backlight makes the tracing work easier as you can use any A4 paper to trace architecture drawings and dimensions.
h. Board clips
These clips are used to clamps the paper on the drawing board.
3. MEASUREMENT SCALES
a. Architect’s Scale
The most used scale that facilitates the drafting and measuring of architectural drawings.
b. Adjustable Triangle
Great tool for drafting angles on architecture sketches.
c. Metal Ruler – Anti-slip
This bevelled edged ruler is not only good for measurement but also very helpful in model making and safe cutting. It’s light in comparison to steel rulers as it’s made of high-grade aluminum and the rubber strip at the back makes it anti-slip.
d. Measuring Tape
This portable measuring tape is required for measuring higher distances and ranges.
e. T-Square
The most used tool in architecture in order to get a horizontal reference on the drafting table.
f. Mini Drafter
A multi-purpose tool for drawing all sorts of lines and angles from inclined lines or parallel lines to perpendicular lines. This scale set has two scales and it is fixed on one side of the drawing table.
g. Circle Shape Drafting Template
Draw circles with ease with this stencil to save time and effort.
h. Human Figure Drawing Template
This stencil with pre-defined human figures in different positions is very helpful. It saves a lot of time as drawing human figures every time can be tedious.
i. Furniture Designing Template Stencil
Another stencil that saves time by helping you put furniture forms easily on your drafts.
4. MODELING SUPPLIES
a. Modeling Clay
Helps in visualizing and forming 3D models out of simple drawings. The use of clay is still the best way to make models.
b. Sunboard
One of the most used materials for making architecture models. It comes in different thicknesses and can be easily cut to get the desired shapes and designs.
c. Cutting Knife Set
A cutting knife is an essential tool for cutting different materials and desired shapes with perfection.
d. Cutting Mat
Best mat for cutting various materials. They are said to be self-healing and are quite durable.
e. Super Glue Spray
Attach paper sheets on boards or models with this super glue.
f. Gel Super Glue Pen
A glue pen with fast-drying glue to attach models with precision.
g. Electric Foam Cutter
Cut easily through the foam sheets in order to create desired models and designs.
h. Human figures
Ready-made human figures to give that realistic touch to your architecture models
5. UTILITY ITEMS
a. Drawing Board
A basic yet essential item to put your architecture drawings in place.
b. Drafting Table
The adjustable table that can move in multiple ways to suit your sketching and drawing requirements.
c. Drafting Chair
A comfortable chair to your put ideas into work is a perfect companion.
d. Drawing Sheet Tube
You would require this for sure to store and carry your large drawing sheets and architecture plans.
d. Lamp
Light plays an important part in architecture and even great architecture drawing needs the best proper illumination. A good architect lamp that can move in 360 degrees is what your table needs.
e. Calculator
Calculations are everything in architecture and to be precise you would need this specific calculator. This calculator is for professionals that calculate every inch and dimension.
f. Laser Range Meter
A super helpful professional device that measures long distances in seconds like the ceiling heights or width of a huge hall or floor.
f. Laptop
The most important machine for any and every profession today. A powerful laptop with good configuration and that can run all architectural software like AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, Photoshop, etc is vital.
g. Tablet
From noting down thoughts and ideas, making presentations and doing quick research to designing objects and drawing with a digital pen – a tablet can do everything. A very practical and convenient device that can work wonders by taking your work to the next level in less time.
This list would surely help aspiring students and young architects in arranging their architecture tools and supplies for starting their journey in the architecture field. We would be happy to know if this list was useful to you and your architect friends.
Also, please feel free to comment and let us know if we missed anything in this list.
