what is an elevation drawing

An elevation drawing is a type of architectural drawing that shows the front or side of a building or structure. It is a two-dimensional, flat representation of one facade of the building, and it displays the height, length, width, and appearance of the structure. Elevation drawings are orthographic projections, meaning they are not drawn in perspective and there is no foreshortening. They are drawn on a vertical plane, showing a vertical depiction of the building. Elevations are produced for four directional views, for example, north, south, east, west. The purpose of an elevation drawing is to show the finished appearance of a given side of the building and furnish vertical height dimensions. An elevation drawing is different from a floor plan, which shows a space from above. While an elevation is not required for every renovation or redecorating project, they are very useful when designing items like a fireplace, bathroom vanities, bars, or any location with built-in cabinetry, such as an office or entertainment space.