UNDERSTANDING FLOOR PLANS It costs no more to build a house with a good plan, than one with a poor plan…….in fact, it may cost
less.
A FLOOR PLAN IS―
Two-dimensional diagram of one or
more rooms as if seen from above.
A Floor Plan is Used to:
Judge space dimensions in a room Determine architectural detail placement in a
room Study suitability to lifestyles of the family
Shows basic living zones Putting together a decorating plan for the
home
A Floor Plan Shows
Exterior and interior walls Size and location of walls, windows, and
doors Built-in cabinets and appliances Permanent fixtures Stairs and fireplaces – if included in the
plan. Porches, patios, and decks Room names, closets, and approximate
sizes
Elevation Shows a vertical view of the room, wall,
or house as if being seen by someone standing on the ground or floor and looking at it.
Drawing a Floor Plan
1/4” = 1’ is the most common scale used in architectural and interior design drawings 1 square= ¼ inch= 1 foot
Templates are drawings, symbols, cutouts etc., used to easily duplicate “too scale” items.
11’ x 10’ Room
Blue Print Symbols
Windows=
Doors=
Closets=
Blue Print Symbols
Windows=
Doors=
Closets=
Blue Print Symbols
Floor Plan OptionsPro’s and Con’s
One level Two level Split-Level Split Entry
Open Floor Plan
Fewer interior separating walls (bathroom is the exception)
Benefits: saves cost of building material, home tends to appear more spacious
Drawbacks: no privacy, high noise levels
Closed floor plans
Separate rooms enclosed by walls with an entry door.
Benefits: noise reduction, privacy
Drawbacks: costly, breaks up space to make it appear smaller
EVALUATING FLOOR PLAN Well defined 3 basic Areas/zones Efficient Traffic and circulation patterns Use and function of rooms relationships Plenty of Storage Space Consideration Sizes and shapes of rooms Useable wall space that is not broken up
with windows and doors
Plumbing Lines located near one another
An Evaluation of Needs vs. Wants……….
Evaluate for Needs vs. Wants
Make a list of your NEEDS and your WANTS. Needs MUST be filled You may not have
enough money to fulfill all your wants.
4 Housing Needs: Enough
bedrooms Enough
bathrooms Storage and
closets Room for
furniture and appliances
Also consider:
Indoor and outdoor space Street noise and traffic Privacy inside and outside the house Housing Orientation = Placement of the
house in respect to: Compass Directions
(North, South, East, West) View Sun exposure Wind Other Surroundings
What shape of home is least expensive to build?
A Rectangle Jogs or irregularities in shape increase the
cost of the house and should be carefully judged for convenience and aesthetics.
Also consider the COST OF A HOME
A conservative estimate for the amount of money to be spent on a home is 2 ½ times the yearly income of the family.
Cost of the home is determined by: Cubic foot (size) Location of lot, size, and placement, compass
direction Type of construction Exterior and Interior finishes and fixtures Floor Plan
Blue Print AssignmentsKnow your bedroom measurements for next time
(walls and furniture) 4. Interpret Blue Print Symbols Use the blue print key to decipher the blue prints on this floor
plan 5. Practice Room Using ¼” graph paper and a pencil, measure and draw the following
dimensions. Remember… walls are six inches thick (1/8” scale). North Wall- 15 feet with one 6 foot window, 2 outlets South Wall- 15 feet with two 3 foot window, 1 outlet East Wall- 20 feet with one 3 foot door that swings into the room, one
outlet, 1 light switch West Wall- 20 feet, a wall light, a closet with bifold doors. Place a
ceiling light in the center room. Now trace everything with a black marker and a ruler, using very straight
lines. Write the dimensions of each wall and label the north wall.
Bell Quiz #1
1. Which statement about floor plans is true?A. The purpose of a floor plan is to show the three-dimensional
appearance of rooms, doors, windows, storage areas, and hallways.
B. The purpose of a floor plan is to show the two-dimensional appearance of rooms, doors, windows, storage areas, and hallways
C. It shows the distance between the kitchen wall and base cabinets.
D. The work triangle between the refrigerator, the table, and the range is shown.
2. Identify these floor plan symbols:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
WH
Bell Quiz #1 KEY
1. Which statement about floor plans is true?A. The purpose of a floor plan is to show the three-dimensional appearance
of rooms, doors, windows, storage areas, and hallways. B. The purpose of a floor plan is to show the two-dimensional
appearance of rooms, doors, windows, storage areas, and hallways.* C. It shows the distance between the kitchen wall and base
cabinets. D. The work triangle between the refrigerator, the table, and the
range is shown. 2. Identify these floor plan symbols:
1.Lavatory Sink 2. Shower 3. Kitchen sink 4. Fixed Window 5. French Doors
6. 110 outlet 7. Water Heater