Hauptansicht

Hauptansicht is a German architectural term referring to the main view or elevation of a building or object. In architecture and construction drawings, it designates the principal façade shown for the design, typically the façade facing the main approach or street. The Hauptansicht communicates the overall appearance, proportions, openings such as doors and windows, materials, and decorative features of the building's front.

In technical drawing, Hauptansicht is one of the standard projection views used on plan sheets. It is commonly paired with other views such as Vorderansicht (front view), Seitenansicht (side view), and Draufsicht (top view). Depending on the project, the Hauptansicht may correspond to the Vorderansicht, but the term emphasizes its status as the primary elevation rather than the exact orientation.

In modern building information modeling (BIM) and CAD workflows, the Hauptansicht is often the default or selected primary view used for documentation and rendering. It guides façade detailing, exterior material choices, and the overall exterior design language, and serves as a reference for additional sections and elevations.

The term highlights the importance of the front-facing presentation in a project, balancing functional description with aesthetic emphasis. Related concepts include elevation, façade, and the other standard projections used in architectural documentation.