Resources

Bookmark this page and check back often, as this curated list is updated frequently!

00 Pre-Design

CAD Maps

https://cadmapper.com/

Earth

https://earth.google.com/web/

Maps

Solar

https://www.suncalc.org/

Wind

https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/sites/windrose.phtml?station=ALN&network=IL_ASOS

01 Concept Design

Case Studies

https://www.archdaily.com/

Massing Models

https://www.sketchup.com/free

Sketching

02 Schematic Design

American Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/

Code Compliance

Egress

https://www.codenotes.org/bc-1003-1-general-means-of-egress/

Schematic Planning Considerations

Stairs

03 Design Development

Casework

Ceilings

Elevators

Furniture Fixtures and Equipment (FFE)

Furnishings
Fixtures
- Lighting Fixtures
  - https://www.polantis.com/xal
  - https://www.polantis.com/radian
- Plumbing Fixtures
Equipment
- Electronics and Appliances
  - https://www.bimobject.com/en-us/categories/electronics/it-equipment
  - https://www.bimobject.com/en-us/categories/electronics/electronics-appliances
- Fire Safety
  - https://www.bimobject.com/en-us/babcock
  - https://www.polantis.com/saval
- Specialty
  - https://www.arcat.com/content-type/bim/10
  - https://www.arcat.com/content-type/bim/11
- Security
  - https://www.polantis.com/dormakaba

Heating Ventilation + Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Electrical

Openings (Doors, Windows, Curtain Walls, Etc.)

Plants

https://www.polantis.com/plants

Plumbing

https://www.bimobject.com/en-us/categories/plumbing

Structure

04 Construction Documents

Details

Images, Textures, and Colors

Cut-Outs

- MrCutOut.com
  - https://www.mrcutout.com/
  - Many free cutout images
- Clipped.io
  - http://www.clipped.io/
  - Many free cutout images

Backgrounds / Scenery

HDRIHaven.com
- HDRIHaven.com
- open-source and high quality background images

Textures

- Architextur.es
  - https://architextures.org/
  - lots of high quality texture images that are also tile-able
- TextureHaven.com
  - TextureHaven.com
  - open-source and high quality .PNG and .PBR files
- Wildtextures.com
  - https://www.wildtextures.com/
  - high quality textures and patterns
- Polantis.com
  - https://www.polantis.com/objects/objects/textures

Color Palette Generator

Coolors.co
- https://coolors.co/
- Fast color scheme generator

Web-based Software (Free)

Computer Aided Design

- SketchUp
  - Sketchup.com/free
  - Good for 3D Design
  - Tutorials
    - Fundamentals: https://learn.sketchup.com/courses/sketchup-web-fundamentals-part1
    - Skill Builder: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bndkJaV8A5VmrwvxMw-IYgSJLlV-vjH
- BeeGraphy
  - https://beegraphy.com/
  - Computational Design (similar to Grasshopper, but free and online)

Photo Editing Software

Photopea (Raster + Vector Image Editing, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator Alternative)
- - https://www.photopea.com/
  - Tutorials: https://www.photopea.com/tuts/
Pixlr (Raster Image Editing, Adobe Photoshop Alternative)
- - https://pixlr.com/x/
  - Tutorials
    - Fundamentals: https://blog.pixlr.com/support/the-basics-of-working-with-layers-in-pixlr-editor/
    - Skill Builder: https://blog.pixlr.com/tutorial/
Gravit (Vector Image Editing, Adobe Illustrator Alternative)

https://designer.gravit.io/
Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/c/gravitdesigner

Tutorials

Software, workflow, exploratory...

Downloads

You might find a little something.

Library

The essentials for architectural design.

Resources

Curated + organized for architectural design.

Gift Guide

Things to ask for.

Studio Apparel

Because its fun.

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