what is elevation in architecture

In architecture, an elevation is a two-dimensional drawing of a buildings façades, showing the height, length, width, and appearance of a building or structure as seen from one side. It is an orthographic projection of the exterior or interior faces of a building, and it is a first angle projection that shows all parts of the building as seen from a particular direction with the perspective flattened. Elevations are drawn as if looking at a building from the front or side, and they provide the viewer with an idea of how the final building will appear. Elevations are orthographic projections, meaning they are not drawn in perspective and there is no foreshortening. They are a common design drawing and technical architectural or engineering convention for graphic representation of architecture. Elevations are useful for detailed renovations, such as in kitchen designs, and they enable you to view information about the building's height, wall height, orientation, and each side of the structure at a 1:100 scale.