What are CAD drawings primarily used for in architectural design?

CAD drawings are primarily used in architectural design to produce digital representations that facilitate construction and design processes. These drawings allow architects to create precise and scalable models of buildings, including detailed plans, elevations, and sections. This digital format enhances collaboration among various stakeholders, including engineers, contractors, and clients, by ensuring that everyone works with the same accurate and detailed information.

Using CAD software also enables architects to make quick adjustments to designs, perform simulations, and generate different views of the project efficiently. As a result, these tools significantly streamline the design process, reduce errors, and improve overall communication.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of architecture. Creating artistic impressions, while an important part of early design stages, does not utilize the technical precision that CAD drawings offer. Documenting historical architectural styles is more about preservation and study, which does not involve the practical applications of CAD. Calculating structural integrity, while crucial in the construction process, is typically handled through engineering analyses rather than solely through CAD drawings.