› Architect Engine

How architects actually work

A house isn't drawn in one go. Architects move through six phases, and each one answers a different question. The engine follows the same steps, and you can jump between them any time.

1. Phase 1

   Pre-Design & Site

   Before drawing anything, an architect learns what the client needs (rooms, budget, style) and what the lot allows. Zoning sets how close to the lot lines you can build (setbacks), how tall, and how much floor area (FAR). The sun's path decides where the big windows go.

2. Phase 2

   Schematic Design

   Schematic design is fast and loose. Architects sketch bubble diagrams showing which rooms sit next to which, then try two or three rough layouts and massing (the overall shape) before the client picks one.

3. Phase 3

   Design Development

   Design development turns the chosen sketch into a real building: wall construction, actual door and window sizes, materials, the stair, the roof, and a first cost estimate. Engineers start adding structure and systems.

4. Phase 4

   Construction Documents

   Construction documents are the drawings a builder follows: floor plans, elevations, sections, schedules of every door and window, wall details and written specifications. Every sheet gets a title block and a sheet number.

5. Phase 5

   Bidding & Negotiation

   The architect sends a bid package to contractors, answers their questions with addenda, and helps the client compare bids. The lowest number isn't always the best: timelines and allowances matter too.

6. Phase 6

   Construction Administration

   During construction the architect visits the site, answers contractors' questions (RFIs), and at the end walks the house with a punch list of things to fix before move-in.

What you take away

DXF

One file per sheet plus a full model file, on AIA layers at true scale. AutoCAD, LibreCAD and QCAD open it natively.

PDF

A vector sheet set on ARCH D (24×36) or tabloid paper, with title blocks.

glTF

Your 3D model with materials, for Blender or any 3D viewer.

CSV

Door, window and room-finish schedules for a spreadsheet.

.hbarch

Your whole project as one file. Open it again any time.

Why no DWG? DWG is a closed format that needs a paid license to write. AutoCAD opens DXF natively, so that's what the engine exports.

Everything here is for learning. Zoning and building codes vary by town, so a real house needs a licensed architect or engineer and the local building department. More engines →