What is a north elevation?

The drawing of the side of the building that faces north. You see it standing to the north of the building, looking south.

Why does my office name elevations the other way?

Some people name an elevation by the direction you look instead of the way the wall faces. Most textbooks use the way the wall faces. The elevation markers on the plan settle it: they show which wall each drawing is.

What if the north arrow is not straight up?

Turn the plan in your head until the north arrow points up, then read which way the wall faces.

Construction plans: lesson 3 of 6

North, south, east and west elevations

Name the elevation that shows the blue wall. Get 10 right to finish.

Which elevation drawing shows the wall marked in blue?

How to read it

An exterior elevation is named after the direction the wall faces. The north elevation is the north-facing side of the building. To draw or see it you stand north of the building and look south.

North up: the right wall faces east. East elevation.

North to the right: the top wall faces west. West elevation.

Interior elevations of a room are often named the other way. This lesson covers exterior elevations only.

Common mistakes

Assuming north is up. Always look for the north arrow.
Naming the wall by the direction you look. The north elevation is seen looking south.

Questions

What is a north elevation?: The drawing of the side of the building that faces north. You see it standing to the north of the building, looking south.
Why does my office name elevations the other way?: Some people name an elevation by the direction you look instead of the way the wall faces. Most textbooks use the way the wall faces. The elevation markers on the plan settle it: they show which wall each drawing is.
What if the north arrow is not straight up?: Turn the plan in your head until the north arrow points up, then read which way the wall faces.

Explained in our own words and checked against several textbooks and trade school resources. Office standards vary, so always check the legend on your drawing set.