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.

1. A Floor Plan is―Two-dimensional diagram of one or more rooms as if seen from above.

2. A Floor Plan is Used to:

A. Judge space dimensions in a roomB. Determine architectural detail placement

in a roomC. Study suitability to lifestyles of the family▪ Shows basic living zones

D. Putting together a decorating plan for the home

3. A Floor Plan ShowsA. Exterior and interior wallsB. Size and location of walls, windows,

and doorsC. Built-in cabinets and appliancesD. Permanent fixturesE. Stairs and fireplaces – if included in

the plan.F. Porches, patios, and decksG. Room names, closets, and

approximate sizes

4. 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 Plana. 1/4” = 1’ is the most common scale used in architectural and interior design drawings

1 square= ¼ inch= 1 foot

b. 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 levelTwo levelSplit-LevelSplit Entry

7. Closed floor plans

Separate rooms enclosed by walls with an entry door.

Pro’s: noise reduction, privacy

Con’s: costly, breaks up space to make it appear smaller

7. Open Floor Plan

Fewer interior separating walls (bathroom is the exception)

Pro’s: saves cost of building material, home tends to appear more spacious

Con’s: no privacy, high noise levels

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. WantsMake a list of your

NEEDS and your WANTS. Needs MUST be filled You may not have

enough money to fulfill all your wants.

8. 4 Housing Needs: Enough bedrooms Enough bathrooms Storage and

closets Room for furniture

and appliances

9. Also consider: Plumbing Lines located around one another

or not 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

10. 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

11. 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 SymbolsUse the blue print key to decipher the blue prints on a floor plan of your choice.

5. Floor Plan Practice RoomUsing 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. SEE EXAMPLE IF NEEDED

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.

We will be in the computer lab next time!!!!

Measure Up!!!Measure your room. Get

the width, length, height, furniture, and

other items. This information will be used for a later assignment so

get it done early.