Hi everyone,
I’m a new mechanical engineer currently looking to sharpen my design skills. I’m working on a personal mock-up project and I’m in need of some US-based architectural plans to use as a foundation for a mechanical/HVAC layout.
Since I'm still early in my career, I want to practice building out a project from scratch—starting with load calculations and moving through to duct sizing and equipment selection—following realistic US standards (imperial units, standard building assemblies, etc.).
I am looking for residential or light commercial plans that include:
- Floor plans with dimensions (PDF or DWG).
- Elevations and sections (to determine ceiling heights and wall/roof R-values).
- Any specific construction details that would impact heat load.
If anyone has any archived "practice" sets, unbranded blueprints, or links to public domain resources that are compliant with ASHRAE or IECC standards, I’d be incredibly grateful. I’m particularly interested in anything with a bit of complexity, like multi-zone residential or open-plan offices.
As a new engineer, I’d also welcome any advice on common "rookie" MEP mistakes to look out for during the design phase!
Thanks for the support!