Architectural drawing
Shows how the building looks and works: layout, facades, heights and materials. Read more about building permit drawings.
Structural drawings for foundations, frame and load-bearing elements
Structural drawings, also known as K drawings, show how the load-bearing parts of the house are to be built: foundations, frame, floor structures and roof. They are based on calculations of the loads the building must withstand and are the documentation that both the builder and the municipality need before construction starts. At Arkigroup AB, the structural drawings are produced in the same team as the architects, so that structure and architecture are aligned from the start.
Request a quote Send existing drawings
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Structural drawing, architectural drawing or construction document?
Structural drawing
Shows how the building stands firm: dimensions, materials and construction of the foundations, frame and load-bearing elements.
Construction documents
The complete set of documents the builder works from. The structural drawings are part of it. Read more about construction documents.
When are structural drawings needed?
As soon as anything load-bearing is newly built or altered, structural documentation is needed. Common examples:
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New house
Foundations, frame, floor structures and roof trusses are sized for your particular building and plot.
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Extension
The new part must support itself and be securely connected to the existing house.
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Removing or moving a load-bearing wall
The load has to be carried down in another way, often with a beam and new bearings. Changes to the load-bearing structure normally require a notification to the municipality. Read more about removing a load-bearing wall.
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Dormer or new roof structure
When the roof is opened up or rebuilt, the load-bearing capacity needs to be recalculated.
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Balconies, canopies and stairs
Cantilevered and open structures require careful detailing and fixings.
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Premises, warehouses and industry
Larger spans, heavy loads and machinery require calculations and coordination with the building services.
What the structural drawings contain
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Foundation drawings
Foundation plan showing the position and dimensions of pad footings, foundations, ground beams and slab, together with materials and any reinforcement.
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Frame and load-bearing walls
Position and dimensions of columns, beams and load-bearing walls, with materials and reinforcement details.
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Floor structures and roof
Floor structure plans with joists and slabs, and roof plans with roof trusses, pitch and materials.
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Sections
Cross-sections showing heights, storeys and how the load-bearing parts fit together, for example between wall and roof.
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Detail drawings
Close-ups of connections, fixings, joints, penetrations and places where reinforcement is needed.
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Moisture and insulation
How the structure is protected against moisture and how the insulation is to be installed at the connections.
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Stairs, shafts and special elements
Stairs, lift shafts, balconies, canopies and other elements that need their own solutions.
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Materials and quantities
Material specifications, such as concrete and steel grades, and bills of quantities that make ordering easier.
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Calculations and structural documentation
Calculations of loads from self-weight, snow, wind and use, and structural documentation describing how the load-bearing system works.
Rules for the structure
- Load-bearing capacity, stability and durability. Under the Planning and Building Act, a building must be designed so that it carries the loads it is subjected to, without collapse or unacceptable deformation, throughout its service life.
- Boverket's building regulations. Since 1 July 2025, Boverket's new building regulations have replaced both BBR and the former structural design rules, EKS. The transition period ended on 30 June 2026, so all new projects must follow the new regulations. Structural design is carried out in accordance with the Eurocodes.
- Technical consultation and start notice. The municipality may request structural drawings, calculations and structural documentation before issuing the start notice. Work may not begin until the start notice has been issued.
Sources: Boverket, structural documentation, Boverket, technical consultation and Boverket, new building regulations.
Structural engineers and architects in one team
At Arkigroup, the structural engineer and the architect work together on the same project. That means the frame, layout and building services fit together, and questions are resolved on the drawing rather than on site.
Daniel Ehsan, structural engineer
Daniel produces structural drawings and calculations for houses, extensions and commercial premises.
Email: daniel.e@arkigroup.se
Ali Alshammari, architect and founder
Ali founded Arkigroup in 2018 and has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry. He coordinates architecture, structural design and regulatory requirements on each project.
Email: ali@arkigroup.se
How we produce your structural drawings
Review of the documents
We review building permit drawings, architectural drawings or existing drawings via video call, phone or a site meeting, and establish what is to be built or altered.
Quote
You receive a clear price proposal. Once it is approved, we get started.
Calculations and sizing
The structural engineer calculates the loads and sizes the foundations, frame and load-bearing elements.
Drawings and documentation
You receive structural drawings, calculations and the structural documentation the municipality may request before the start notice.
Support during construction
We answer questions from the builder. If you need more, we can produce full construction documents, act as certified quality controller under the PBL on projects where we do not carry out the work ourselves, or take on the whole build under a design and build contract.
Frequently asked questions about structural drawings
What is a structural drawing?
A structural drawing, or K drawing, shows how a building's load-bearing elements are to be built: foundations, frame, floor structures and roof, with dimensions, materials and details. It is produced by a structural engineer and is based on load calculations.
How are structural drawings made?
The structural engineer starts from the architectural drawings and establishes the loads the building must carry: self-weight, snow, wind and whatever the building will be used for. The load-bearing system and materials are then chosen, for example timber, concrete or steel, and the elements are calculated and sized in accordance with the Eurocodes and Boverket's building regulations. The result is drawn up in CAD or in a BIM model, with plans, sections and details the builder can work from.
What are some examples of structural drawings?
Common examples are a foundation drawing with pad foundations and ground beams, a frame drawing with columns and beams, a floor structure plan, a roof truss drawing, a beam drawing when a load-bearing wall is removed, a reinforcement drawing for concrete and detail drawings for connections and fixings.
What is the difference between an architectural drawing and a structural drawing?
The architectural drawing shows how the building looks and works. The structural drawing shows how it stands up, in other words how the load-bearing elements are to be sized and built.
Are structural drawings needed for a building permit?
Usually not for the building permit application itself, which is based on architectural drawings. However, the municipality may request structural drawings and calculations at the technical consultation, before you receive the start notice.
Do I need a structural drawing to remove a load-bearing wall?
Yes. The load from the wall has to be carried down another way, often with a beam, and this must be calculated by a structural engineer. Changes to the load-bearing structure normally also require a notification to the municipality. Read more about removing a load-bearing wall.
What is structural documentation?
A document describing how the building's load-bearing system works and which loads it is designed for. It gives the client, the property manager and the building committee a complete picture of the structure.
Which rules apply to the structure?
The Planning and Building Act's requirements for load-bearing capacity, stability and durability, Boverket's building regulations and the Eurocodes. Since 1 July 2025, Boverket's new building regulations have replaced EKS, and from 1 July 2026 they apply to all new projects.
Who is allowed to produce structural drawings?
There is no legal requirement for certification to produce structural drawings. However, the client is responsible for ensuring that the structure meets the requirements for load-bearing capacity, stability and durability, and the municipality assesses the documents at the technical consultation. The drawings should therefore be produced by a qualified structural engineer. At Arkigroup they are produced by structural engineer Daniel Ehsan, working with the project architect.
How much do structural drawings cost?
It depends on the size of the project and how complex the structure is. You will receive a free quote within 24 hours.
Request a quote for structural drawings
Tell us about your project or send the drawings you have, and we will come back to you with a free quote within 24 hours.
Thank you, your request has been sent
An architect will review it and come back with a free quote within 24 hours. If it is urgent, feel free to call 013-15 10 00.
How it works
- NowYou send your request
Three fields are enough. If you have a sketch or drawing, you can email it to us afterwards.
- 20 minFree consultation with an architect
Afterwards you will know whether what you want to build needs a building permit, which drawings and documents are required and what the next step is.
- 24 hYou receive a quote
Free of charge and with a clear price. We only start once you have approved it.
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Daniel Ehsan Structural engineer daniel.e@arkigroup.se -
“Good results, quick response and transparent pricing.”
Prefer to talk directly? Call 013-15 10 00 or email info@arkigroup.se.