The special orthographic projection drawings used in delineation of interior environments are based on the concepts mentioned to this point. These drawings impart information particular to interior construction.
FLOOR PLANS
A FLOOR PLAN is a view as though looking straight down at a room or building after a horizontal cut has been made through the structure. As stated previously, a floor plan can also be called a HORIZONTAL BUILDING SECTION because the drawing is created by cutting through the building horizontally at roughly four to five feet above floor level and removing the top half. With the building cut open and viewed from above, important information such as wall, door, and window locations can be drawn to scale (Figure 1-7). Additional design elements such as fixtures and furniture can be drawn in appropriate locations to scale in a floor plan. In the United States floor plans are most often drawn at a scale of 1⁄8"=1'0" or 1/4"=1'0", although this varies according to project conditions. Larger-scale floor plans are useful for presentation of complex or highly detailed spaces. Smaller-scale floor plans are required for large projects and are also used as key plans in complex presentations. In drawing floor plans it is important to convey significant spatial relationships with consistent graphic conventions. Various line weights are used to convey depths and qualities of form. In standard floor plans the boldest line weight is used to outline those elements that have been cut through and are closest to the viewer (such as full-height wall lines). An intermediate line weight is employed to outline objects that lie below the plane of the cut but above the floor plane, such as fixtures, built-ins, and furnishings. A finer line weight is used to outline surface treatment of floors and other horizontal planes, such as tile and wood grain. Objects that are hidden, such
as shelves, or above the plane of the cut are dashed or ghosted in; this must be done in a manner that is consistent throughout the presentation. Figures 1-8a and 1-8b are examples of town-house floor plans drawn using AutoCAD software and employing standard conventions and reference symbols. Figures 1-9a and 1-9b are freehand-drawn (no tools) floor plans of the town house. Standard doors are generally drawn open at 90 degrees to the wall and are often shown with the arc of their swing. The door frame and the space it requires must be considered in the drawing of the door system (this means the dimensions of the frame must be considered). Windowsills are typically outlined, often with a lighter line weight at the sill only. Window frames and sheets of glass are shown in various detail as scale allows. Stairs are generally shown as broken off past the height of the plane of the cut; this is signified with a special cutline. An arrow should be included to indicate the direction of the stairs from the level of the floor plan, with the word UP or DOWN (DN.) adjacent to the directional arrow. A title, a North arrow, and some type of scale notation should be included on all floor plans. Scale notation can be stated numerically, for example: 1⁄4"=1'0". Current practice often requires the use of a graphic scaling device, which allows for reduction, enlargement, and electronic transmission of the drawings. Symbols relating the floor plan to additional orthographic views or details are often drawn on the floor plan and serve as cross-references.
Successful floor plan presentation drawings require a thorough understanding of drafting conventions. Presentation floor plans may be drawn fastidiously with tools or drawn freehand. Regardless of the style of drawing, presentation floor plans must be accurate and drawn to the appropriate scale so that they communicate the design and can be used by the designer as the project moves forward. Presentation floor plans are enhanced by the use of tone, value, color, and/or other graphic devices. The graphic enhancement of floor plans is discussed in greater detail in Chapter 5.
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