Construction details
In very general terms, details convey accurate information of a very specific nature. Details can be superfluous if a general overview is required, but are essential to gain a fuller, more precise understanding.
In construction, details provide a complete description of a specific part of an object such as a building, bridge, tunnel, machine, component and so on. Details tend to be communicated on large-scale drawings that show comprehensive information about parts that may be described in less detail on general arrangement drawings.
For more information see: Detail drawing.
Suppliers may provide standard details for the components they provide, and clients or design companies may have standard details that can be adopted across different projects. The approved documents include details that describe common ways of satisfying the buildings regulations, and a series of Accredited Construction Details (ACDs) have been developed to help achieve the performance standards required by Part L of the Building Regulations.
For more information see: Accredited Construction Details.
Detailed design is the process of taking on and developing a concept design, to make it dimensionally correct and co-ordinated, describing all the main components of the building and how they fit together.
For more information see: Detail design.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.