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An architect is someone who is in charge of designing buildings and other physical structures. There are many tools used by architects in order to help them do their job, and many different types of architects.
In this article we will discuss the different types of architect tools that an architect might use, as well as their functions.
What are architect tools?
Architect tools are valuable resources for architects when designing a building, they come in many different types and perform different functions. They also have different qualities that make them unique to each other. There are many qualities that can make architect tools stand out, including durability and the amount of wear and tear they take.
Here is a list of types of architect tools:
Measuring tool
1. Tape Measure
Tape measures are one of the most commonly used architect tools. They have a very simple design with two metre-sticks hung together, however they do require a lot of physical strength to use.
Measuring tape can be used by architects to measure dimensions of rooms or pieces of buildings, these measurements and the data that is collected from them are then used within drawing programmes in order to create accurate designs.
Tape measures can also be very versatile when it comes to their uses, for example they can be attached to a pole in order for the architect to get measurements from high up.
2. Carpet scale
Carpet scales are a fairly new type of measuring tool, compared to tape measures. They are invented for the sole purpose of making it easier and more precise for architects to get accurate measurements.
This tool is not only used for taking measurements from different floors, but also walls with heights over three meters (approximately 10 feet). The quality that makes this tool so valuable is that it has a very strong design and a high precision of measurements.
3. Steel tape
Steel tape measure is another architectural tool. A tape measure can be used to measure the length of any object because it has a flexible metal tape that retracts back into its case when not in use.
The steel tape can measure anything from furniture pieces to rooms, and even houses if you have a very long one! The standard width of a tape measure is 1/2 inch wide.
With a steel tape measure you can easily measure anything, and what makes them better than other types of measuring devices is that your hands are free while measuring by using a tape measure!
The only disadvantage to using a tape measure is that the farther away something is from you the harder it will be for you to read the numbers on the tape measure because it is a small object to hold out away from you, and when measuring something that is far away your eyes will be off target.
4. Metric ruler
Metric rulers are also used for measuring, but they can be used to measure smaller objects or surfaces as well. The reason why architects use a metric ruler is because it has marks that read in millimetres, which makes the architect more precise when they're drawing up designs.
However there isn't much of a difference between using this type of measuring tool and a metric ruler than any other type of ruler that is used for measurement.
5.Tape measure caliper
The tape measure caliper is very similar to a regular tape measure, but instead of the tape being made of cloth, it's made out of metal making it more durable than most other types of measuring devices.
The tape measure caliper can be used on any object and not just objects that are vertical such as walls. You can also change the size by placing larger or smaller links on the tape.
The disadvantage to using one of these is that it doesn't work as well on round objects, and if you use it for something too long, it can be cumbersome because at some point there will be so much metal wrapped around your object that you'll need someone else to help straighten it out!
Leveling tool
6. Traditional level
Traditional levels are a very old type of architect tool, they date back to around the 17th century. Compared to modern tools, traditional levels are more advanced as they can be used on flat or uneven surfaces. There are many different types of levels, including laser levels and prism levels.
Traditional levels are a little hard to use as you have to compensate for the angle of the slope in order for it to be accurate. However they do offer some advantages over modern tools such as that they're able to measure larger areas than most others. Traditional levels are still being used today by many different types of builders.
7. Digital level
The main difference between a digital level and a traditional one is that the digital level provides more accuracy than its traditional counterpart, because it uses advanced technology when compared to an old ruler or metal bar that would be used in a traditional level.
A digital level can also measure the angles of slopes automatically, so in order to get the most accurate measurement, all you have to do is press a button.
Another great feature of the digital level is that it can calculate height and depth. Digital levels are widely available for prices ranging from $30-$150 depending on brand and quality.
Design tool
8. Set square
A set square is used by architects to mark straight lines and right angles onto the surface that they are working on, these tools help architects to create perfect shapes. Set squares can also be used without any markings at all.
The main advantage of using a set square is that you can use it on just about any surface without the aid of anything, but sometimes they aren't the easiest to use as even when there are no markings on the blade or head, it's still hard for architects to draw perfectly straight lines and angles. However with practice, an architect can become very proficient at using a set square.
9. Fine line marker
These are specially made pens or paint brushes that can be used to mark out very accurate straight lines as they don't leave any traces behind like regular pencils or chalk might.
These are often used by architects and engineers when creating blueprints of buildings as they really help improve the look of a blueprint.
The main disadvantage of using fine line markers is that you can't erase anything, so if your line doesn't go in the right direction then you're going to have to start again from scratch. Another disadvantage is that they're only useful when creating blueprints, so if you want to draw something onto paper then a fine line marker isn't the best tool for the job.
10. Marking knife
A marking knife is used for scoring straight lines into masonry or timber such as brick and wood, this tool has been used by architects for years, and is still used by a lot of people today.
Marking knives are very sharp and can cut through just about anything; this makes it easy to score straight lines or shapes into the material that you're working on.
The disadvantage of using a marking knife is that there is no way to erase your mistakes afterwards, so you have to be very careful not to make any errors with them. As long as you're very careful and have a steady hand, marking knives are very useful to use for creating straight lines on the materials that you work with.
11. Ogee
Ogees are used by architects to draw perfect geese onto surfaces and shapes such as walls or roofs etc. They first appeared in the 16th century and were originally used by renaissance architects to create perfect curves.
An ogee is a tool that consists of two parts, the handle and the blade, when you hold it like a knife then this allows you to move the blade in any direction without your hand moving. This tool can be used to add finishing touches onto your structures as well as enhancing them with the smooth curves of an ogee.
The disadvantage of using an ogee is that they're not very accurate for small measurements, but the advantages are that you can draw these curves onto surfaces without moving your hand as it has a blade on one end which allows you to make smooth and quick movements with the handle in hand.
12. T-square
Another tool that is used is the t-square, they have markings on both sides of the blade which enables the architect to use them for drawing straight lines and marking out angles.
T-squares are easy to hold because they're thin and light weight, but the disadvantage of using this to draw lines is that it can be hard to use because you have to hold it in a very particular way, otherwise the measurements won't be accurate.
13. Astragal
An astragal is also known as a trammel, they are used to draw perfect circles on surfaces without the aid of any other tools. These tools were created by renaissance architects in the 15th century and have been used ever since because they're very easy to use.
The main advantage of using an astragal is that you can draw perfect circles on any surface without having to worry about the measurements at all.
The disadvantage of using an astragal is that they are very inaccurate for measuring tiny distances, however if you really want to draw perfect circles then an astragal might be the tool that you need to use.
14. Laptop
A laptop is a type of computer that was created and then manufactured in order to make it more portable.
Architects use laptops now because they're extremely lightweight, so if you need to go from one point to another then all you have to do is take your laptop with you, which makes it much easier for architects that don't want to carry around heavy equipment.
15. Architectural Software
Another common type of architect tool is architectural software, this is usually used for designing and drawing blueprints on computers.
This kind of software can help architects to create complex designs without having to do any complicated mathematical operations or calculations, all you need to do is drag and drop the components into your blueprint.
Another architect tools
16. Calculator
A calculator is another common type of architect tool. Calculators are used by architects in order to help them perform simple mathematical operations, such as adding and subtracting, however there are also specialised calculators that can do more advanced mathematical operations like multiplication and division.
17. Rotary table
A Rotary table is a piece of equipment that can help you create complex patterns onto the materials that you're working with, it also helps to save time as well.
The main advantage of using a rotary table is that it helps save time as you can make a pattern on another piece of material and then just rotate the table to draw it out, which saves a lot of time.
18. Hammer
A hammer is another one of the common types of architect tools. Hammers are used in order to create holes on materials, such as walls and roofs etc.
These holes are needed by architects for many different reasons, the most common reason that they use them is for creating ventilation inside buildings because this helps to keep the temperature constant throughout the whole building.
FAQs
1. Why are architect tools important?
If you want to become an architect then it's important that you know what tools are needed for the job, so here is a list of all the different types of architect tools and how they're used.
The architectural field is a very competitive area, so you have to do your best in order to get a job as an architect. As you just learned, there are many different tools that can be used by architects and each one has its own unique function.
2. How do architect tools save time?
Architect tools help to save a lot of time because they're very efficient at what they do but there are also some that can reduce drawing times drastically, so instead of spending hours drawing on a piece of paper then with the right equipment you could be finished in minutes. These are just some examples of how architect tools can help to save time.
3. Is there a required amount of architect tools?
There isn't a specific number of architect tools that you need to carry around with you, however the more tools that you have then the better it is for your job.
It might be necessary for architects to carry lots of different types of equipment in order to complete their work effectively and efficiently but some designers like to keep it simple and just carry around what they need.
Conclusion
There is so much equipment that can be used by architects, just doing a quick search on the internet will give you thousands of results. This list of architect tools should give you a very good idea on what all types of equipment are needed and how each one functions.
