1. Understanding House Plans

2. Architectural Drawings
: contain information about the size, shape, and location of all parts of the house
– one-half as large as the actual object
– smaller or larger than the actual object
¼” = 1’

3. Architectural Drawings cont.
: tell the types of quality of materials to be used and give directions for their use

4. Prints of Architectural drawings
– computer-aided drafting and design
– drawing of structure with white lines on blue paper
Now is done on white paper with black lines – much cheaper

5. Alphabet of lines
Alphabet of lines: commonly used architectural drawings
See handout
Phantom line – alternate positions, repeated details, and paths of motion
Visible lines – outline of buildings and walls
Hidden lines – edges of surface that are not visible

6. Alphabet of lines cont. Center lines – center of an arc or circle
Dimension and extensions lines – extent and direction for measurements
Dimension – size and location
Extension – termination point of dimension
Break lines – object continues on, but the complete view is not shown
Section lines – feature that has been sectioned, crosshatch lines

7. Alphabet of lines cont.
Symbols: represent plumbing, electrical fixtures, doors, windows, and other objects in a house
See handout

8. Views of Architectural Drawings
: views taken from the top of the imaginary glass box
Site plan, floor plan, foundation plan, and roof plan
: simplified drawing that shows size and arrangements of rooms, hallways, doors, windows, and storage areas

9. Views of Architectural Drawings cont.
: shows finished exteriors appearance of a given side of the house
: drawings that show outside views of the house

10. Views of Architectural Drawings cont.
: view taken from an imaginary cut through a part of the house Picture
: enlargement of some construction features

11. Views of Architectural Drawings cont.
: drawing with color to show a realistic view of completed house

12. Views of Architectural Drawings cont.
: three-dimensional miniature of a design
Very realistic views of the house but expensive

13. Space Within – Grouping by function
: most house consists of bedrooms and bathrooms
: active period of the day as well as sleeping hours

14. Space Within – Grouping by function
: all parts of the house needed to maintain and service the other areas
Kitchen, laundry, utility, garage, workshop, home office, sewing room

15. Work area cont. : imaginary line that connects these three centers
Sink, oven, & refrigerator
Do not want it to exceed feet

16. Space Within – Grouping by function cont.
: provides space for daily living entertaining, and recreation
Entrance, dining, living, family

17. Space Within – Grouping by function cont.
Separating areas and rooms
Halls are great buffer zones – inches
: small recessed areas of a room
Can be done by walls, storage units, arrangements of furniture, screens

18. Traffic Patterns : path people follow Be convenient and direct
Provide adequate space without wasting it – 40 inches
Provide easy access from the entrance to other
Separate traffic to the work area from

19. Traffic Patterns cont.
Avoid of rooms, kitchen, work area, or any other hazardous areas
Avoid interfering with a arrangement or interrupting activities within room
Avoid interfering with of the house where privacy is expected
Give the kitchen to all areas of the home

20. Traffic Patterns cont.
Provide a direct access from the service entrance
Provide access from a service entrance to the quiet areas without going through
Provide direct access from utility areas to the
Space for doors
Need space for the
Do not block the

21. Survey the Storage Space
: cannot be sold, replaced, or moved like pieces of furniture
: storage used by all who live in a house – outerwear, food, tools, etc.
Can add storage by purchasing furniture with storage space –

22. Evaluating the Floor Plan
No floor plan is – one that is right for this person is wrong of another