An Architect Reveals: How to Read Floor Plans
Building or renovating? Understanding floor plans is a must – in the first of our two-part guide, an expert reveals how
Rebecca Naughtin
12 April 2022
Architect, Director, Mentor, Tutor, Houzz Contributor, Partner and Mum, I love a design challenge and thrive on problem solving. I especially enjoy working with Clients to bring out the best in their projects.
Architect, Director, Mentor, Tutor, Houzz Contributor, Partner and Mum, I love a... More
Being presented with complex architect’s drawings for the first time can be equally exciting and confusing. Chances are they will be written in a language you’re not familiar with, which your architect or building designer knows fluently. This can leave you feeling overwhelmed and as though you’ve lost control of the project. But understanding architectural drawings is not as hard as it might seem.
Here’s what you need to know.
Here’s what you need to know.
Architectural sets often include a range of different drawings, such as building plans for each floor level, electrical plans, reflected ceiling plans, elevations, sections, construction details and internal elevations for individual rooms. Your architect may also procure further detailed drawings such as tile layouts, shadow diagrams and 3D views, to name a few.
Start by understanding what each drawing is trying to communicate. The drawings towards the front of the set such as the plans, site plan, elevations and sections, will give you a holistic view of the building, the elements within it and where they are located. The drawings towards the end of the set are generally detail-oriented, highlighting individual rooms and any particular construction methods within the building.
When in doubt, however, just ask. That’s what your architect is there for.
Need an architect for your renovation or new build? Find one near you who’s well-versed with the requirements of your local council
Start by understanding what each drawing is trying to communicate. The drawings towards the front of the set such as the plans, site plan, elevations and sections, will give you a holistic view of the building, the elements within it and where they are located. The drawings towards the end of the set are generally detail-oriented, highlighting individual rooms and any particular construction methods within the building.
When in doubt, however, just ask. That’s what your architect is there for.
Need an architect for your renovation or new build? Find one near you who’s well-versed with the requirements of your local council
The site plan
The site plan and roof plan describe the existing conditions on site and often reference a land survey. Some of the most important elements on site and floor plans are the title’s boundary location, building heights or levels, and the location of adjacent buildings and windows.
The site plan is one of the most important drawings for town planning; determining the proposed and existing buildings’ setbacks from the front, rear and sides; site coverage; private open space; overlooking diagrams; walls on boundaries and potential overshadowing of private, open space. These are just some of the policy clauses that councils will assess when determining whether to support a proposal.
The site plan and roof plan describe the existing conditions on site and often reference a land survey. Some of the most important elements on site and floor plans are the title’s boundary location, building heights or levels, and the location of adjacent buildings and windows.
The site plan is one of the most important drawings for town planning; determining the proposed and existing buildings’ setbacks from the front, rear and sides; site coverage; private open space; overlooking diagrams; walls on boundaries and potential overshadowing of private, open space. These are just some of the policy clauses that councils will assess when determining whether to support a proposal.
A garden plan by Ben Scott of Ben Scott Garden Design for his own outdoor area.
Your roof plan can look similar to your site plan, but it will be magnified to show how items such as roof plumbing are designed, as well as box-gutter sizings and gutter types.
Your roof plan can look similar to your site plan, but it will be magnified to show how items such as roof plumbing are designed, as well as box-gutter sizings and gutter types.
The finished garden by Ben Scott of Ben Scott Garden Design, created from the garden plan (pictured above).
Some architects will also provide some bird’s-eye views of the existing site and surrounding conditions to try to capture the entire site holistically.
Some architects will also provide some bird’s-eye views of the existing site and surrounding conditions to try to capture the entire site holistically.
The plan
Plans describe the locations and dimensions of structures and rooms to the builder. The plan typically shows what a slice through your building at 1 to 1.2 metres above the finished floor level looks like. The walls that have been sliced through will appear bolder or heavier than those that are not. Some important things to look for within your plans are the sizes of each room, the floor finishes (for example, timber boards, carpet or tile), structural set-out and general notes for the site including locations of services.
Your architect should make sure that all the structures specified by other consultants, such as a structural engineer, fit within the wall thicknesses.
The plan, sections and elevations are what the builder will use to frame up the building. From there, they will use detailed drawings, such as internal elevations, to build up the interiors.
Plans describe the locations and dimensions of structures and rooms to the builder. The plan typically shows what a slice through your building at 1 to 1.2 metres above the finished floor level looks like. The walls that have been sliced through will appear bolder or heavier than those that are not. Some important things to look for within your plans are the sizes of each room, the floor finishes (for example, timber boards, carpet or tile), structural set-out and general notes for the site including locations of services.
Your architect should make sure that all the structures specified by other consultants, such as a structural engineer, fit within the wall thicknesses.
The plan, sections and elevations are what the builder will use to frame up the building. From there, they will use detailed drawings, such as internal elevations, to build up the interiors.
Electrical and reflected ceiling plans
Electrical plans show where each light, switch and power outlet is located and often how high they will be set.
The reflected ceiling plan (known as the RCP) shows the ceiling and locates lights and electrical items. Similar to a floor plan, the RCP illustrates a slice through your building at 1 to 1.2 metres above finished floor level. However, this time you are looking up, a bit like looking at a mirror on the floor.
Electrical plans show where each light, switch and power outlet is located and often how high they will be set.
The reflected ceiling plan (known as the RCP) shows the ceiling and locates lights and electrical items. Similar to a floor plan, the RCP illustrates a slice through your building at 1 to 1.2 metres above finished floor level. However, this time you are looking up, a bit like looking at a mirror on the floor.
The RCP often includes the dimensions and locations of downlights and high cupboard doors. This helps designers avoid conflicts when installing mechanical systems such as ducting for air-conditioning and heating.
Browse more stunning kitchens by Australian designers
Browse more stunning kitchens by Australian designers
Elevations
Elevations show your building’s exterior from the north, south, west and east (or close to). They often focus on the building’s height in relation to Natural Ground Level (NGL) and Finished Floor Level (FFL).
Most architects will also show neighbouring buildings to illustrate how the proposed building will fit in within the neighbourhood’s character. This is often requested by town planners to show that the building complies with local policy.
Elevations show your building’s exterior from the north, south, west and east (or close to). They often focus on the building’s height in relation to Natural Ground Level (NGL) and Finished Floor Level (FFL).
Most architects will also show neighbouring buildings to illustrate how the proposed building will fit in within the neighbourhood’s character. This is often requested by town planners to show that the building complies with local policy.
The elevations will show your building’s cladding and roofing materials, heights, services, and window and door openings.
Sections
A section will take a slice through your building to expose the building structure. The section cut-through will show any structural beams, footings, insulation, roof profiles, interior openings and your floor-to-ceiling heights. Like elevations, sections will also show your building heights and relationship to surrounding buildings and NGL.
A section will take a slice through your building to expose the building structure. The section cut-through will show any structural beams, footings, insulation, roof profiles, interior openings and your floor-to-ceiling heights. Like elevations, sections will also show your building heights and relationship to surrounding buildings and NGL.
Construction details
Construction details are often shown at scales such as 1:5, 1:10 or 1:20. These are magnified drawings, allowing the builder to read how certain items are to be put together and constructed. An example might be a stair detail, skylight, window reveal, door sill or benchtop detail. These drawings are often ‘called out’ in the plan or sections, showing where the detail occurs. This call-out will then reference the page and detail number so the builder can locate it within the drawing set.
Construction details are often shown at scales such as 1:5, 1:10 or 1:20. These are magnified drawings, allowing the builder to read how certain items are to be put together and constructed. An example might be a stair detail, skylight, window reveal, door sill or benchtop detail. These drawings are often ‘called out’ in the plan or sections, showing where the detail occurs. This call-out will then reference the page and detail number so the builder can locate it within the drawing set.
Think of the plans, sections and elevations as the holistic view of the project, and the details as showing the finer grain of how each element inside it is put together.
Door and window schedule
This will show each window and door in isolation. It will often show the opening size and any other dimensions required for the door or window to be manufactured.
This will show each window and door in isolation. It will often show the opening size and any other dimensions required for the door or window to be manufactured.
Other details are also generally specified, along with the frame type, how the window or door is to be installed, and the architrave, hardware and glazing details.
Internal elevations
Internal elevation drawings show each room’s floor plan in greater detail, as well as the corresponding walls. Extra details may include cabinetry dimensions and details such as materials, shadow lines, panels, door swings and handles. Fittings and fixtures such as taps, mixers, sinks and appliances will also be shown.
Internal elevation drawings show each room’s floor plan in greater detail, as well as the corresponding walls. Extra details may include cabinetry dimensions and details such as materials, shadow lines, panels, door swings and handles. Fittings and fixtures such as taps, mixers, sinks and appliances will also be shown.
It’s best practice to have the actual items selected drawn into the cabinetry to ensure that they fit, rather than having any nasty surprises on site later. You may also have other items such as the tiling layout designed. Architects will often use codes to indicate material finishes such as ST-1 for stone type 1 or TV-1 for timber veneer type 1. This will then reference back to the general finishes schedule, which should list all the material details such as sizes, colours, finish types and suppliers.
Miscellaneous (or other) drawings
This could include a multitude of drawings. Some typically relate to development approval or building permits, such as shadow diagrams that illustrate the extent of shadows cast by the proposal and how they affect the neighbouring properties.
Overlooking diagrams describe the impact your proposal has on neighbouring properties, and the designs put in place to minimise the impact. Other common drawings include 3D views and illustrative diagrams.
This could include a multitude of drawings. Some typically relate to development approval or building permits, such as shadow diagrams that illustrate the extent of shadows cast by the proposal and how they affect the neighbouring properties.
Overlooking diagrams describe the impact your proposal has on neighbouring properties, and the designs put in place to minimise the impact. Other common drawings include 3D views and illustrative diagrams.
Your turn
If you found this story helpful, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Don’t miss Part 2 of this story here: Expert Advice: How to Read Patterns and Symbols on a Floor Plan
If you found this story helpful, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Don’t miss Part 2 of this story here: Expert Advice: How to Read Patterns and Symbols on a Floor Plan
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Excellent article.
One point - not everyone can visualize spaces easily. There will be clients who easily read a 2D plan but others will need 3 dimensions before they can truly perceive scale and space. Models, 3D computer modeling and photo realistic renderings with people, furnishings and fittings are vital for some clients. And fortunately for architects theres never been a better age for this; there are some fantastic apps and digital facilities that quickly and easily give a realistic vision.
It is entirely appropriate for those in the trade to use industry specific terms. Those terms often don’t have a precise, one word translation, so to insist on doing so would actually make things more verbose and less precise. As was pointed out, it doesn’t take too long for owners to come to understand many of these terms anyway.
I am in no way involved in the building industry, but my industry has a whole other language of terms used, and I have come to appreciate how important it is.
Also, if you find it difficult to appreciate the size and scale of things on a plan, take a little time to compare to the measurements in the house you currently live in to get a feel for relative size.