9 Simple tools for Architect building assessments and field observations
Building assessments and field observations are critical tasks most architects conduct at some point in every project. The tasks involved in generating these reports require effective tools to develop clear and concise information about a project. Although there is a limitless amount of different strategies for completing these tasks this article aims to share some simple architect building assessment tools.
Over the years I have found that simple tools usually are much better at producing reliable results. With all the latest technology and software available there are a couple of options worth mentioning as well. Although the software is becoming much more prominent in field tools, they can break or not function properly during a site visit. Consequently, it is good to always have a physical backup to complete your task at hand.
Architect building assessment tools
Foam core board with clips
The simplest and best tool available for field observations and site reports. Mostly overlooked as an official tool and only used for presentations. But foam core can be cut to fit the paper you are printing your drawings on. So, let’s say you need an 11” x 17” drawing set printed to take notes on. Cut a piece of foam core down to 11” x 17” and clamp your drawings to the board with binder clips. Usually, four clips are enough to keep the paper in place. While walking a building you can clip some of the sheets on the back or keep two clips bound on the side and leave the opposite side loose for easy page flipping. Here is a list of benefits for using foam core as a solid writing surface.
- Simple to make and materials are usually readily available
- Very inexpensive solution.
- If the foam core gets damaged, just make another one.
- After you are done taking notes, your drawings can be taken off foam core easily and placed in your bag for safekeeping.
- Binder clips are quick to readjust your drawings sequence for easy use.
- Foam core is very lightweight and easy to carry for a whole day if needed.
Click images below for links to products on Amazon. (affiliate)
Pens with three colors
It is best practice to bring pens with three colors. Why bring three colors? Because two of the colors are used for dimensions and one is used for notes. Pick one color for dimensions in one direction. For example, North-South. The other color could be used for East-West. Do the same for vertical and horizontal dimensions in an elevation. The third color can be used for general notes. When you go back to look at your notes, they will be easily readable. Pen type is a personal preference, but sometimes using a ballpoint pen can help prevent smears. Ballpoints also tend to stay on a page if water gets on the paper. If something can go wrong, it will go wrong. So, anticipate a random rainstorm.
Click the image below for a link to a recommended product on Amazon. (affiliate)
Tape measure
Lightweight and sturdy tape measures are best for conducting a building assessment. If you are walking around all day it is convenient for the tape measure to be lightweight as they can weigh down your bag. Usually, a 16’ to 25’ tape measure sure be able to reach the dimensions you will need for your notes. For any distances over what your tape measure can handle see the next section on laser tape measures.
Some of the newer tape measures are lightweight and are sturdy. A sturdy tape is important to quickly take the measurements you need. A flimsy tape will fall all over the place and become a distraction. A good way to judge the sturdiness of the tape is to look for the extension length rating on the packaging. The tape extension is how far the tape can go out of the housing without falling to the ground. The further the extension the sturdier the tape.
Click the image below for a link to a recommended product on Amazon. (affiliate)
Laser tape
Sometimes a tape measure just can’t do the job. Elements are spaced too far apart or too hard to access. For tricky situations, laser tape is a perfect solution. A laser tape measure does what it says, uses a laser to take measurements. Depending on the product there are a couple of key features to keep in mind.
- Lightweight and simple buttons
- Durable
- Affordable
- Distance measure at least 50’-0”+. Measuring long corridors etc. and high ceiling heights can add up to a long distance. Check the specifications to see how far the device can measure.
- Ability to measure from different points on the device. The laser tape will let you know where the measurement is referenced relative to the device. For example, from the back of the device or front. Sometimes it is easier to measure from one or the other depending on the task at hand.
- Triangulated distances feature. This option allows you to measure the height of something by measuring two distances from your point of reference. If you need to measure the height of a building parapet you can stand back away from the building. Then take two measurements, one of the distances from where you stand to the top of the parapet and the second to the wall of the building in front of you. The device will do the trigonometry to calculate the height of the parapet. Amazing.
Click the image below for a link to a recommended product on Amazon. (affiliate)
Flashlight
The worst thing that can happen is not being able to see something in an existing building because there isn’t enough light. Even worse is when you don’t have a flashlight handy. Have you ever needed to see what was going on above a ceiling, but can’t because you forgot your flashlight? Don’t let this happen to you, always bring a flashlight. Flashlight features to consider for better performance.
- Lightweight and durable
- High light output with different settings. Brightness level adjustment is particularly useful. Adjustments are helpful to help photo exposures.
- Affordable
- Long-lasting battery life. Sometimes batteries for flashlights are specialized but worth the extra cost knowing they will last when you need them.
Click the image below for a link to a recommended product on Amazon. (affiliate)
Portable Battery recharge pack
With all the technology required to be an architect, having a backup power supply is essential. The battery backup is typically needed for your smartphone. Running out of battery on your phone during a building assessment is a disaster. A couple of important things to keep in mind. First, always remember to bring your battery backup. Second, remember to charge your battery backup the night before you need it. Third, remember the right cables to connect to your devices. Lastly, here are a couple of key features to keep in mind.
- Verify the capacity of the battery is enough to charge your phone to 100%.
- Balance capacity vs. weight, carrying a battery that is too heavy is a drag.
- Make sure there is a battery level indicator on the device.
- Picking a color and design you are happy with makes a difference. Why buy something ugly.
Click the image below for a link to a recommended product on Amazon. (affiliate)
Camera – Smart Phone
Probably the most helpful tool an architect carries these days in a smartphone. In the past couple of years, smartphone camera photo quality has improved dramatically. With improved quality, the images are perfect for architect building assessments. More features are also being added to the photos including geolocating etc. At this point in time, for building assessments smartphones are the most viable choice. Stand-alone cameras take more preparation and may be more difficult to use. With all the different smartphones in the market, here are a couple of key features to look for.
- High enough resolution for cropping and zooming for inclusion in a report.
- Enough data storage on your phone to take a ton of pictures.
- Decent battery life but bring a battery pack recharger just in case you run out of power.
- Adjustable flash and exposure settings. Sometimes it is difficult to take pictures in low light conditions etc. So, adjusting for these different environmental conditions is critical.
Click the image below for a link to a recommended product on Amazon. (affiliate)
Umbrella
Frequently architects must schedule building assessments and field observations well in advance. Of course, the day comes, and it rains outside when you need to evaluate the exterior of the building. The best solution is a good umbrella. A handy trick is to hold the umbrella under one arm and hold your foam core and drawings with the other. An umbrella can provide protection from the water you need to get the job done. Just wearing a coat will not allow you to write on a piece of paper or use technology. In a pinch, an umbrella will be there to save you.
Click the image below for a link to a recommended product on Amazon. (affiliate)
Software
Although this article’s primary focus isn’t on software, there are a couple of software products that are very useful for architect building assessment tools. One software package is described below we have used with success.
Bluebeam
Bluebeam Revu for iPad has a couple of products that are very helpful in taking notes and also viewing drawing documents. The first is Bluebeam for iPad. Bluebeam is a PDF editor and viewer that is specifically designed for the AEC industry. It comes preloaded with many of the tools used in architecture. A user-friendly interface makes the software fun and useful. While conducting a building assessment notes can be quickly added to your drawings in PDF format. Using a stylist pen makes precision notes and dimension taking easier.
Bluebeam Drawings is a new mobile tool used specifically for viewing PDFs quickly. The software quickly loads PDF graphics with almost no loading lag time. Sometimes everyone just wants to view the drawings without having to flip through sheets or navigate extensive files. Bluebeam Drawings solves this by including a search feature where you can enter sheet names and numbers to quick access.
Tools photo by Barn Images on Unsplash
