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Draw an elevation

Draw an elevation
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Draw an elevation of a simple building using measurements, a ruler, and pencils to learn how front views show height, windows, and doors.

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Step-by-step guide to draw an elevation of a simple building

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AutoCAD Plan & Elevation Drawing Tutorial for Beginners | Step-by-Step Guide

What you need
Colouring materials, eraser, paper, pencil, ruler

Step 1

Gather all Materials Needed.

Step 2

Write a scale at the top of your paper (for example 1 cm = 1 m).

Step 3

Write the building's real width and height in meters on the paper.

Step 4

Draw a straight horizontal ground line across the lower third of the paper using the ruler.

Step 5

Measure and mark the left and right edges of the building on the ground line using your scale.

Step 6

Draw vertical lines up from each edge to the building height using the ruler and your scale marks.

Step 7

Connect the top points with a horizontal line to finish the front outline of the building.

Step 8

Mark the door location and its scaled width and height on the front face.

Step 9

Draw the door rectangle neatly with the ruler.

Step 10

Mark the positions and sizes of the windows on the front using the scale and ruler.

Step 11

Draw each window frame with the ruler.

Step 12

Add simple pane lines and a sill inside each window with light pencil strokes.

Step 13

Erase extra construction marks lightly with the eraser.

Step 14

Trace over the final outline and details with firmer pencil lines to finish your elevation.

Step 15

Share your finished building elevation on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a ruler or measuring tape to draw the ground line and measure the building's width and height?

Use a straight edge like the long edge of a hardcover book or a piece of cardboard to draw the ground line and mark equal units with a coin or folded paper to apply your chosen scale when measuring the building's real width and height.

My vertical lines aren't straight or the top points don't line up when I connect them—what should I do?

Double-check your scale marks, redraw the verticals lightly using a straight edge aligned with each ground-line edge, and then place the ruler between the top points to draw a level horizontal line for the building's top outline.

How can I adapt this elevation drawing for younger or older kids?

For younger kids, pre-draw the ground line and scale and have them place and trace simple door and window rectangles with a thick pencil, while older kids can use a finer scale (for example 1 cm = 0.5 m), add precise measurements and roof details, and trace the final outline more firmly as the instructions say.

How can we extend or personalize the activity after finishing the front elevation?

After erasing construction marks and tracing the final lines, personalize the drawing by adding textures or material notes to walls and window sills, color the elevation, draw additional side elevations or a simple floor plan at the same scale, and then share the finished project on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw an elevation of a simple building

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How to Draw a Front Elevation Roof | Architectural Drawing Tutorial for Beginners

4 Videos

Facts about architectural drawing for kids

✏️ Drafters choose pencil grades—hard H for fine, light lines and soft B for darker shading—to keep drawings clear and neat.

🧱 A precise elevation helps builders place doors and windows correctly—professional plans can be accurate down to millimeters.

📏 An architect's scale ruler has multiple scales (like 1:50 or 1:100) so 1 cm on paper can equal 1 m in real life.

🏛️ Elevation drawings show a building's face without perspective so heights and features stay true — architects have used them for centuries.

📐 Orthographic projection is the trick behind elevations: front, side, and top views line up perfectly for accurate measurement.

How do I teach my child to draw an elevation (front view) of a simple building using measurements?

Start by choosing a simple building and measuring its overall height and width. Decide on a scale (for example, 1 cm = 0.5 m) and lightly draw a baseline and guidelines on paper or graph paper. Use a ruler to draw the outer rectangle for the facade, then mark measured positions for the door and windows. Draw details with light pencil lines, label heights, and erase guide lines. Encourage checking proportions and neat straight edges.

What materials do I need to draw a building elevation with my child?

You'll need plain or graph paper, a pencil (HB), a ruler or architect's/scale ruler, measuring tape or meter stick to take real measurements, an eraser, and a sharpener. Optional extras: colored pencils or pens for highlighting, a protractor for angled roofs, masking tape to secure paper, and a clipboard. Keep small items away from very young children and supervise use of sharp tools.

What ages are suitable for drawing building elevations with kids?

This activity suits children roughly aged 6–14, adjusted for complexity and supervision. Ages 6–8 can draw basic front views using simple shapes and adults measuring and guiding. Ages 9–11 can work with direct measurements, scaling, and more precise rulers. Teens 12–14 can handle scaled elevations, labeling, and minor drafting rules. Always adapt tasks, give adult help with measuring, and focus on patience and encouragement rather than perfection.

What are the benefits of drawing building elevations for children?

Drawing elevations teaches measurement, scale, and spatial reasoning while reinforcing math and fine motor skills. Children learn to translate real-world sizes into a scaled drawing, observe proportions of doors and windows, and practice neat line work and labeling. This activity boosts focus, problem-solving, and vocabulary (elevation, scale, facade). It also introduces basics of architecture and engineering, encouraging creativity and confidence through a tangible project children can compare
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