Resources
Guides and reference data for architects and home designers — climate and solar design data, zoning, building assemblies, permits, construction costs, and architecture software compared.
- Building Assemblies & Specs
How architects specify building assemblies — fire-resistance-rated walls and floors, R-values and U-factors, and STC acoustic ratings — with typical build-ups and where the authoritative tested listings come from.
- Climate & Energy Design Data
Climate inputs architects need for envelope and HVAC design — ASHRAE/IECC climate zones, heating and cooling design temperatures, degree-days, and energy-code envelope requirements.
- Design Standards & Dimensions
Space-planning and dimensional standards architects check daily — accessible clearances, minimum ceiling heights, stair rise and run, egress widths, and accessible parking, as typical code minimums.
- Building Permits & Process
How the building permit and plan-review process works for architects and building designers — required documents, typical fees, review timelines, and submittal checklists by jurisdiction.
- Solar & Daylight Data
Sun-path, solar altitude and azimuth, and daylighting inputs for architects — how to read sun-path diagrams and use computed solar angles for orientation, shading, and passive design.
- Structural Design Loads
Plain-language references to the site-driven structural design loads architects and engineers look up early — ground snow load, ultimate design wind speed, seismic design category, and risk/exposure categories per ASCE 7 and the IBC.
- Zoning
Plain-language zoning references for architects and building designers — districts, floor area ratio, setbacks, height and lot coverage — with the local ordinance always authoritative.
- Building Codes
State-by-state IBC building code reference — occupancy, egress, heights and areas, and more.