Building plans happen to be one of the most important components when it comes to the construction of a building. The plans are not only sketches, but are detailed technical drawings expressing the layout, structure, and function of a built project. Once you are constructing a house, an office space, or even a commercial building, the building plans serve as the guideline on all the stages of construction that need to be followed so that architects, engineers, contractors, and other clients are on the same page.
So here in this blog, we shall get to know more in detail about what building plans are, and how these vary in type, whether floor plans, site layouts, elevations, and drawings of landscapes, among others.
What Are Building Plans?
Building plans are architectural drawings in the form of charts that are used in the construction process of an edifice. They have elaborate feature sizes, materials, layouts, and installations necessary in a project. Such drawings are drawn by architects or those who have a license and are forwarded to local authorities so that they are given permission to commence construction.
Each plan has a designated role to fulfill in the entire design and construction process and, collectively, a full model of what a building will appear, operate, and fit within the context.
Types of Building Plans
1. Site Plan
A site plan is the bird’s-eye view of the whole territory where the building is to be located. It includes:
- These were the boundaries of the property.
- Access roads and driveways
- Adjacent buildings and landforms, etc.
- Positioning of utility services like water lines, sewerage, drainage, and electricity
- Placement of utilities such as water lines, sewerage, drainage, and electricity
It is normally a primary plan that is done in any construction project and should be in line with the area’s or local government zoning and development codes. Due to the fact that it is involved in the acquisition of government approvals, a site plan will be required to be drawn up and confirmed by qualified people, e.g. architect or a land surveyor.
2. Floor Plan
A floor plan is a top-down view of a building’s layout design. It includes:
- Section-division and size of rooms
- Placement of the doors, windows, walls, etc.
- Fixtures, furniture arrangement and stairs
It is probably one of the most basic and popular plans used in a construction project. The floor plans are usually done in 2D but may be further done in 3D to enhance their standing as far as visualization is concerned, more so in residential floor plans where the design and arrangements of furniture are of interest.
3. Cross Section
The cross-section is a cut through the building, which depicts the interior parts and design of structures along a certain cross-section. It highlights:
- Differing heights of another floor, Heights between floors
- Ceiling/floor levels
- Thickness of the walls and materials of construction
- Footing and roof Framing
These details can only be discovered through the use of cross-sectional drawings, which are very important as part of a structural analysis and compliance review.
4. Elevation Plans
Elevation drawings display the exterior and interior faces of a building. These are typically categorized as:
- External Elevation: Displays the external face, finish, and texture as well as the facade, such as balconies, windows, and roofing.
- Internal Elevation: This is concerned with the looks and performance of interior walls, particularly in areas such as the kitchen and bathroom, where built-in cabinetry and utilities are incorporated.
Elevation plans come in 2D (exact measurements with markings) or 3D form (they allow the clients to have an idea of the result).
5. Landscape Plan
The plan describes exterior space design around a building. It can cover:
- Gardens and flower beds, as well as lawns
- Driveways and walkways
- Lighting features, fountains, and benches
- Plants, landscaping, and hardscape features
The proper landscape design enhances the curb appeal of the building along with functionality and aesthetics. It is quite essential for residential complexes, parks, and commercial properties.
Importance of Building Plans
Building plans have several vital functions:
- Clarity and Communication: A shared visual language among all the stakeholders is applied.
- Legal Compliance: Designs have to conform to the area building laws and codes..
- Resource Management: Assists in forecasting materials, labour, and schedules.
- Risk Mitigation: Errors in pricing and construction are recognized before construction commences, thus saving time and money.
Who Creates Building Plans?
Planning of buildings is usually carried out by:
- Architects: Concentrating on design, aestheticism, and practicality.
- Engineers: Provide a safe and sound structure
- Draftsmen: Take the sketches of the architect and draw technical drafts of them
- Surveyors: Plat site dimensions and boundaries of property. At this point, it is pertinent to note that the value of their products is more important than the quality of the products that they are offering.
All these professionals will always work in tandem so that the plans will not only be beautiful but also buildable and approvable.
Final Thoughts
Interpreting building plans is imperative whether as a house owner who has just taken up an improvement project or as a developer who is in charge of a business project. There are different views in each plan- how the room or even how the building in which the structure was intended to be ideally fits within the land, and each plays an essential part in ensuring that a plan performs as an architectural thought to stand on the ground.
By acquainting yourself with varied forms of building plans, you will have a better idea of the way in which your future space is going to be executed. It also gives you skills on how to communicate with our design and construction staff well.
Ready to bring your building vision to life?
Get your plans in a professional’s hands- meet a licensed architect today and be sure that your project is off to a good start.