An architectural plan is a comprehensive drawing that illustrates the completed project, thus making the architectural planning process the foundation of construction project management. Floor plans, design plans, architectural drawings, construction permits, material lists, design notes, and more—all extending from project inception to completion—are encompassed within this process. As the construction project evolves over time, adjustments, corrections, and enhancements are appropriately integrated. For the successful and conclusive design of a construction project, construction drawings and other documents must be error-free, necessitating a more meticulous execution of the architectural design process.
There exist various types of architectural and building plans, serving different purposes in the design and construction of buildings. Depending on specific needs and project type, diverse kinds of plans may be required, including house plans, floor plans, and design plans. In our article, along with discussing the different architectural plan types, we will also delve into the general framework of this process, outlining the steps to be taken and factors to be considered.
What are Architectural Plans?
The architectural plan, aiming to blend technology and aesthetics, is a concept of designing or constructing structures, and understanding various building materials and forms. This process is a creative journey consisting of stages where a construction project is developed, analyzed, and shaped. These stages are necessary to conduct regular assessments on the project, shard design information, and determine the natural progression of the cost process.
The architectural design process is essential to streamline project management and enable discussion on the design intent. This process allows for the efficient and transparent generation of production information, as well as the mitigation of expensive and time-consuming risks.
Types of Architectural Plans
Architectural plans or drawings containing written and visual descriptions of the structure are akin to a user manual. An architectural plan provides precise details about the project’s style and aesthetics. There are various types of these plans, serving different purposes in the design and construction of buildings. Depending on the specific requirements and type of project, diverse kinds of plans may need to be prepared, ranging from house plans to floor plans and design plans.
In short, these plans are drawings that depict how the project will look upon completion. They offer both an overview of the building and detailed plans for specific sections. So, what are the different types of architectural plans and why do you need them?
1. Site Plans
A site plan provides an aerial view of the building and the surrounding land, sometimes showing neighboring buildings or roads. Site plans are important for illustrating how the structure is precisely positioned within the property boundaries. Site plans encompass the current state of the land, property boundaries, elevations, and more. They can provide detailed information and dimensions about landscape features, fundamental topography, neighboring buildings, driveways, and other outdoor design elements.
Accurately scaled site plans showcase existing and proposed developments concerning land usage. For intricate terrains or when legally required, site plans are prepared by construction engineers.
2. Floor Plans
In its simplest definition, floor plans show the internal layout of a building and can be prepared for the whole building or just a single floor. In residential construction projects, floor plans show detailed measurements between walls, doors, and windows. You can also find the location of stairs, fixtures, embedded cabinets etc. on floor plans.
Most floor plans also show calculations for the surface area of each room. These are crucial for creating cost estimates and constructing a home according to the architect’s specifications. There are different floor plans depending on how they will be used, for example, some floor plan drawings are prepared to highlight certain design elements such as electrical or plumbing systems.
3. Design Plans
A design plan is a document that provides information on how the project will be executed, managed, and evaluated. Within a design plan, one can find the project’s purpose, objectives, steps, responsibilities, and budget. Essential constraints, risks, and other factors related to the project can also be outlined in the design plan.
The design plan identifies all the necessary tools and resources to successfully execute the project. Additionally, it defines the process required for project execution. The design plan may also encompass the tools necessary to monitor the project’s progress and assess its success.
Top 5 Things You Should Know About Architectural Plan
Before commencing work on the architectural plans and drawings of a house or open space, it is essential to be aware of five key aspects related to architectural plans.
- Depending on the scale of the project, each drawing in this plan set you receive will present different details and perspectives of the construction. Understanding the distinction between these drawings is crucial for you to have a holistic overview of the project.
- Before you begin reading these plans, make sure to check the legend. There might be variations in the use of symbols or lines among architects.
- Knowing which areas are being retained and which are being newly constructed is important for comprehending alterations within the space.
- Within an architectural drawing, grasp the relationships between drawings by paying attention to references made to other drawings.
- Learn how each material is depicted in a drawing. In architectural drawings, materials used in the construction such as flooring, roof finishes, and wall types are indicated in the legend. Occasionally, clarification from the architect might be necessary.
Architecture Drawing Styles
Architectural drawings are very important in terms of explaining how buildings will appear and function once completed, providing essential information and instructions for the construction process, and presenting a detailed outline of the internal functioning of the building.
If you’re wondering how to draw architectural plans, here are three of the most common architectural drawing styles.
1. Architectural sketches
While computers are doing many of the hard work today, architects still use hand-drawn sketches.
Very useful in the early planning stages of a project, hand-drawn architectural sketches are a simple and effective way to put some ideas down on paper to present to the client or design team.
2. Computer-generated drawings
3D plans and visualizations created with the help of special software are computer-generated drawings.
You can have the computer draw each individual view, such as textures, shading and lighting, by entering the architectural design parameters.
It is a very good way to present a realistic preview of the completed project to the client and visualize your ideas.
3. Computer aided design
CAD drawings are ideal for large and complex structures with many unique and custom features. 2D and 3D CAD drawings excel at depicting cross-sections and intricate details of almost every design element. Although CAD drawings are highly detailed, they can take a long time to create.
