What Is a Schematic Design (SD) Set? A Practical Guide to Schematic Design Drawings

What Is a Schematic Design (SD) Set?

A Schematic Design Set — commonly referred to as an SD Set — is a package of preliminary architectural drawings and documents prepared during the schematic design phase of a project. Its primary job is to establish the design direction: how a building or space will be organized, what it will look like in broad terms, and how it will function.

At this stage, drawings communicate design intent rather than construction-level detail. The SD Set is not a permit set, a bid set, or a construction document set. It is an early-stage design tool that allows the design team, client, and key stakeholders to review, discuss, and refine the project before more detailed documentation begins.

Understanding what an SD Set is — and what it is not — helps everyone involved move through the design process with clearer expectations.

What Is Included in a Schematic Design Set?

The contents of a Schematic Design Set vary by project type, size, architect, and client requirements. There is no universal checklist that applies to every project. That said, most SD Sets include some combination of the following drawings and documents.

Site Plan

A preliminary site plan shows the building’s relationship to the property, adjacent streets, neighboring structures, and basic site features. At the schematic design stage, the site plan establishes general orientation, massing, access, and site organization. It is not a civil engineering document and does not replace a survey or grading plan.

Schematic Floor Plans

Schematic floor plans show the layout of spaces across each level of the building. They communicate room relationships, circulation patterns, approximate room sizes, major openings such as doors and windows, and the overall flow of the design. Dimensions at this stage are typically approximate — the focus is on spatial organization rather than precise measurements.

Preliminary Elevations

Schematic elevations give a first look at the exterior character of the building. They show overall massing, fenestration patterns, material zones, and the general visual appearance. At this phase, material selection may be preliminary, and elevations are not yet detailed enough for contractor pricing.

Building Sections

Sections cut through the building to show vertical relationships: floor-to-floor heights, ceiling heights, roof geometry, and how different levels connect. Schematic sections help communicate the three-dimensional quality of the design and can reveal early structural and programmatic considerations.

Roof Plan

A basic roof plan shows the overall roof geometry, ridge lines, slopes, and general drainage direction where applicable. Complex roof designs benefit from an early schematic roof plan to identify potential coordination issues before the project moves forward.

Preliminary Interior Drawings

Depending on the project scope, an SD Set may include preliminary interior layouts, furniture arrangements, or diagrams that show how key interior spaces will function. On interiors-focused projects, this section can be more developed. On shell-and-core commercial projects, it may be minimal or absent.

Conceptual Details and Diagrams

Schematic design often includes diagrams that illustrate design concepts — a building systems diagram, a section-perspective showing spatial character, or a circulation diagram. These are not construction details; they exist to communicate design intent to clients and consultants who need to understand the design before detailed documentation begins.

Preliminary Schedules

Some SD Sets include early-stage schedules — a preliminary door schedule, for example, or a list of assumed finish zones — when the project scope and client requirements call for it. These are working documents and are expected to evolve significantly as the project develops.

Not every SD Set includes all of the above. What goes into the set depends on the architect’s scope agreement, client expectations, project type, and how much coordination is required at this stage.

What Is the Purpose of a Schematic Design Set?

The SD Set serves several practical purposes, all focused on moving the project forward with a shared understanding of the design direction.

Establishing the design concept. Before time and budget are committed to detailed documentation, the SD Set tests whether the design concept works — spatially, functionally, and aesthetically.

Client communication and approval. Most design agreements require client review and sign-off at the end of schematic design. The SD Set is the vehicle for that conversation. Clear, readable drawings help clients understand what they are approving before the project moves into more expensive phases.

Early coordination. Even at a schematic level, architects may share SD drawings with structural engineers, MEP consultants, or interior designers to flag early coordination issues.

Preliminary cost discussions. While schematic design drawings are not suitable for detailed cost estimating, they give estimators enough information to prepare order-of-magnitude budgets or rough cost checks. Early budget alignment can prevent expensive redesign later.

Identifying design issues. Working through a set of coordinated SD drawings often reveals problems — a stair that does not fit, a ceiling height that conflicts with structure, a site constraint that affects the floor plan. Finding these issues in schematic design is far less costly than finding them during construction documentation or, worse, during construction.

Preparing for Design Development. The SD Set becomes the baseline for the Design Development phase. A well-organized SD package makes the transition smoother and reduces the risk of revisiting decisions that should have been resolved earlier.

Schematic Design vs. Design Development vs. Construction Documents

These three phases are distinct stages in the architectural design process. Firms and project delivery methods vary, but the general progression is consistent.

Each phase builds on the last. It is generally not appropriate to skip schematic design and jump to construction documents — the SD phase exists to resolve fundamental design decisions before they are locked into expensive, time-consuming documentation.

How Detailed Is a Schematic Design Set?

This is one of the most common sources of confusion among clients, contractors, and even junior design staff. The answer depends on several factors:

• Project type and complexity. A large mixed-use development requires more developed schematic documentation than a residential renovation.
• Client requirements. Some clients or financing teams require more information at the SD stage for internal approvals.
• Architect’s scope agreement. What goes into an SD Set should be defined in the project agreement.
• Jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions require certain information for preliminary or conceptual approvals.
• Project delivery method. Design-build projects may require different levels of early documentation compared to traditional design-bid-build.
• Consultant involvement. If structural or MEP consultants are engaged early, the SD Set may include more systems-level information.

The key distinction is between design intent and construction-level documentation. Schematic drawings communicate what the design is and how it is organized. They are not intended to direct contractors on how to build it. Treating SD drawings as construction documents — or expecting them to be — creates significant problems down the line.

When Is a Schematic Design Set Prepared?

The schematic design phase follows pre-design or programming and precedes design development. The typical sequence looks like this:

Programming / Pre-Design → Schematic Design → Design Development → Construction Documents → Construction Administration

During programming, the design team gathers information about the client’s needs, site constraints, budget parameters, and project goals. Schematic design takes that information and translates it into a design concept that can be reviewed and tested.

Different firms and project types may use different terminology. Some organizations refer to this phase as “concept design” or “preliminary design.” In some project delivery frameworks, the boundaries between phases are blended. What matters is the underlying purpose: at the SD stage, the design is being established, not documented for construction.

Who Uses Schematic Design Drawings?

The SD Set is not just a document for architects. Multiple stakeholders engage with schematic design drawings for different reasons.

Architects use SD drawings to explore design options, test spatial concepts, and communicate internally within the design team.

Clients use SD drawings to review and approve the design direction before committing resources to detailed documentation.

Interior designers use SD drawings to understand the architectural framework for interior space planning and design development.

Structural and MEP engineers use early SD drawings to begin identifying structural systems, mechanical zones, and coordination constraints.

Contractors and estimators use SD drawings to prepare rough cost estimates or assess project feasibility from a construction standpoint.

Developers and investors may use SD drawings to support financing applications, planning pre-consultations, or internal investment approvals.

Planning teams and municipal staff may review SD-level drawings during pre-application meetings, though schematic drawings are rarely sufficient for formal permit submissions.

Each stakeholder is looking at the same drawings with different questions in mind. A well-prepared SD Set answers enough of those questions to keep the project moving while leaving room for the decisions that properly belong in later phases.

Schematic Design Set for Residential vs. Commercial Projects

The scope and complexity of SD documentation varies considerably between project types.

Residential projects — single-family homes, renovations, additions, and custom residences — often have simpler SD Sets. Floor plans, elevations, and a site plan may be sufficient. The level of consultant involvement is typically lower, and the client review process is more direct. That said, even on a custom home, a clear and organized SD Set helps prevent costly misunderstandings later.

Commercial projects — offices, retail, hospitality, restaurants, multifamily buildings, and mixed-use developments — generally require more developed schematic documentation. Multiple stakeholders are involved, coordination requirements are greater, and early alignment on design intent has a larger financial impact. A commercial SD Set may include more detailed diagrams, preliminary systems information, and more formalized drawing packages for internal or external review.

The underlying purpose is the same in both cases: establish the design direction clearly enough to move forward with confidence.

Benefits of a Well-Prepared Schematic Design Set

A thoughtfully produced SD Set creates real value at every stage of the project.

• Better design communication. Drawings that clearly communicate design intent reduce misunderstandings between the design team, client, and consultants.
• Faster client feedback. When clients can read and understand the drawings, review cycles are shorter.
• Early identification of design conflicts. Coordinating plans, sections, and elevations at the SD stage surfaces problems that are cheaper to solve now.
• More informed decisions. Clients can make better decisions when they understand what they are approving.
• More reliable preliminary cost discussions. Even rough estimates are more useful when they are based on a clear and organized set of drawings.
• Smoother transition to Design Development. A well-resolved SD Set gives the design team a solid foundation to develop from, rather than revisiting fundamental decisions.

Common Mistakes in Schematic Design Documentation

Several recurring mistakes undermine the value of a Schematic Design Set.

Too much detail too early. Spending time on details that will change as the design develops wastes effort and creates a false sense of completion. SD drawings should communicate design intent, not construction solutions.

Too little information to communicate the design. The opposite problem: drawings so bare that clients or consultants cannot understand what is being proposed. The SD Set needs to be legible to its audience.

Inconsistent dimensions and coordination. If the floor plan dimensions do not align with the elevations, or the section does not match the plan, the drawings undermine trust in the design process.

Treating SD drawings as construction documents. This creates expectations that cannot be met at this stage and often leads to confusion about what has actually been decided.

Failing to incorporate client feedback. If client comments from earlier meetings are not reflected in the SD Set, the drawings will not accurately represent the agreed design direction.

Poor drawing organization and naming. Inconsistent sheet naming, numbering, or layer organization creates confusion and makes the drawings harder to use.

Avoiding these mistakes requires discipline about the purpose of each phase and clear communication with everyone involved about what the SD Set is and is not.

How BIM and CAD Support Schematic Design

Both 2D CAD drafting and BIM-based workflows can support schematic design documentation effectively. The right approach depends on the project, the team, and the tools in use.

2D CAD drafting remains practical for smaller or simpler projects, early-stage documentation, or situations where the design is still being explored in two dimensions. CAD-based SD drawings can be produced efficiently and are easy to share and review.

Revit-based schematic modeling allows the design team to develop a preliminary BIM model that generates coordinated plans, sections, and elevations. Changes to the model update across views automatically, which reduces coordination errors. A schematic Revit model also provides a useful starting point for transitioning into Design Development.

Preliminary BIM models — even at a low level of development — can support design visualization, early quantity takeoffs, and coordination with structural and MEP consultants.

It is worth noting that BIM is not mandatory for every schematic design project. The right workflow depends on project scale, team capabilities, and what the client and downstream phases actually require. What matters at the SD stage is that the drawings clearly communicate the design intent — the tool used to produce them matters less than the quality and clarity of the result.

How Infallible Studio Supports Schematic Design Documentation

Infallible Studio works with architects, interior designers, developers, and design firms as a documentation and drafting partner — supporting projects across the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Our team can assist with schematic design documentation at various stages of a project, including the preparation of schematic floor plans, elevations, sections, and site plans in both CAD and Revit. We support design firms that need additional drafting capacity during busy phases, as well as clients who require organized, clearly drawn SD-level documentation to move their projects forward.

Our capabilities relevant to schematic design include:

• Architectural drafting (CAD and Revit)
• Schematic floor plans, elevations, and sections
• BIM-based schematic modeling
• Design documentation and drawing production
• Design development support
• Transition documentation from SD to DD to construction documents

Every project is different. The scope of support we provide is tailored to what each client and their project actually requires.

Need support with schematic design documentation? Contact Infallible Studio to discuss your project requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a schematic design set? A Schematic Design Set is a package of preliminary architectural drawings prepared during the early stages of a project. It establishes the design direction, spatial organization, and overall concept before detailed documentation begins. Typical contents include floor plans, elevations, sections, and a site plan, though exact contents vary by project.

What drawings are included in an SD Set? Most SD Sets include a site plan, schematic floor plans, preliminary elevations, building sections, and a roof plan. Larger or more complex projects may also include preliminary interior drawings, conceptual diagrams, and early schedules. Contents vary based on project type, scope, and architect’s agreement.

How detailed should schematic design drawings be? Schematic drawings should communicate design intent and spatial organization clearly enough for client review and early coordination — but they are not construction documents. Dimensions are typically approximate, materials are preliminary, and details are not yet developed. The level of detail should match the purpose of the phase.

What is the difference between SD and DD drawings? SD drawings establish the overall design concept. DD drawings develop that concept further — refining dimensions, selecting materials, coordinating systems, and preparing the design for construction documentation. DD drawings are more detailed and more fully coordinated than SD drawings.

Are schematic design drawings used for construction? No. Schematic design drawings are not suitable for construction, permitting, or contractor bidding. They communicate design intent at an early stage. Construction requires a complete, fully coordinated construction document set that has been reviewed for code compliance.

Who prepares schematic design drawings? Schematic design drawings are typically prepared by the architect of record, often with input from the client, interior designers, and consultants. Documentation and drafting firms like Infallible Studio may support the production of SD drawings as a drafting and documentation partner — see our Schematic Design Services for more detail.

How long does schematic design typically take? The duration of the schematic design phase varies significantly based on project size, complexity, and the pace of client review and feedback. A small residential project might move through schematic design in a few weeks; a large commercial project may take several months. Project agreements typically define phase durations.

Can BIM be used during schematic design? Yes. Many firms use Revit or other BIM platforms to develop schematic models that generate coordinated plans, sections, and elevations. BIM at the SD stage can support early coordination and smooth the transition to more detailed documentation phases. That said, 2D CAD remains appropriate for many schematic design workflows.

What comes after schematic design? Design Development (DD) follows schematic design. In the DD phase, the accepted schematic design is developed in greater detail — dimensions are refined, materials are selected, systems are coordinated, and the design is prepared for construction documentation.

Can schematic design drawings be used for cost estimation? Schematic design drawings can support order-of-magnitude cost estimates or rough feasibility checks. They are not suitable for detailed contractor pricing or formal bid documents. As the design develops through DD and into construction documents, cost estimates become more reliable.