Architectural drawings: floor plans, site plans, and construction modeling

Architectural Drawings

All great constructive projects must have began with a mental image of that structure. To bring that mental idea intro fruition, a medium is needed to help model the mental aspects into something more concrete. The purpose of this essay is to examine and discuss some of the more important qualities associated with the architectural drawing. Specifically, this essay will address the difference between floor plans and site plans and some of the aspects about those differences will be highlighted. Next, the essay will address some other key concepts that deal with the architectural drawings and their modeling capabilities. The essay will conclude with ideas on how to best incorporate the use of architectural drawings into a real and solid project, manifested in the world.

Floor Plans and Site Plans

Floor plans and site plans have some differences and require different information and data. A floor plan is used by the architect to model his or her idea to a scale. Modeling to scale means that dimensions represented on the model are the exact same as the one that will actually be built. In other words, if that paper drawing was blown up, in proportion, it should eventually reach the desired scale of the building.

Floor plans are viewed from a top-down visual standpoint, 90 degrees and approximately 4 feet in height from the line eye site. This is not exactly a bird's eye view, but more represents a human's eye view. Floor plans are loaded with information that is to be used in guiding the builders on the right proportions and dimensions their creations should take shape. Floor plans include such concepts as bathrooms, showers, bathtubs, sinks, windows, doors, appliances, dishwashers, fireplaces, gyms, tennis courts, pools, bedrooms, dens, living rooms, and just about any other concept that can be appropriately modeled.

Floor plans also contain other important information that is necessary to communicate to the builders of the project. These notes may include some safety issues, special instructions and other extraordinary measures that may need to be taken to ensure the project is safely and accurately constructed within the framework of the legally accepted standards.

Site plans differ from floor plans mostly in their scope or breadth of representation. Site plans are models of larger projects that could include many floors, or smaller sub-unit projects. Site plans are more extensive in their modeling capabilities and incorporate much more involvement. These graphic representations of future sites inherently contain many of the communal or collective commodities that go into such large projects.

Site plans may include such specific items as driveways, utilities, telephone poles, sewers, streets, alleys, pathways, parking lots, parking complexes, buildings, sheds, storage facilities, garages, utility components facilities, easements, and many other such items. Other considerations in site planning are zoning, large scale logistics and security and shelter for those employed in the construction of such a site.

Computer vs. Hand Drawing

Technology has afforded the architectural profession much progress through the use of computer aided design tools and software that are mostly employed in today's world. Hand drawings are still used by many and provide a more personal touch to the project many of these professional architects use a technique with vellum paper to help them. Vellum paper is still widely used by architects and engineers to sketch their ideas and concepts before going to the computer; colleges, high schools, and middle schools use vellum to teach manual drafting and sketching; small businesses and home owners creating floor plans for remodeling a kitchen, bathrooms etc. Some popular sketches and plans you will see drawn on vellum paper include floor plans (home, kitchen, bath, rooms, office etc.); garden design with layout of plants and landscaping, as well as landscape design, site plans and more. Vellum paper holds up well to erasing and is available rolls, sheets and pads.

Picture 1: Example of Hand Drawn Architectural Drawing