School:	Applied Computing and Engineering Sciences (ACES)
	Faculty:	Architectural Technology
	Course:	ARCH 12356 Architectural Studio 1

Architectural Plans - Freehand Graphic Standards for Design Drawings

	PAGE CONTENTS Objectives Background Freehand Graphic Standards for Design Drawings

OBJECTIVES

• Execute quality line work and lettering.
• Properly use drawing symbols and conventions.
• Prepare sketches to specified scales.
• Prepare orthographic architectural drawings.
• Create sketch drawings using a variety of techniques.

BACKGROUND

Architectural floor plans are a fundamental component of a set of architectural drawings. These plans incorporate many graphic elements must be completed using standard drawing conventions. The drafting conventions and amount of detail will vary - depending on the scale of the drawing. This module introduced the graphic conventions for architectural floor plans for a variety of scale.

The cutting plane in floor plans is typically about 1500 mm (5'-0") above the floor level. This will ensure that the plan view includes the major vertical elements such as doors, windows, stairs, etc.

Plan view include three major types of elements;

1. Items that are CUT - such as walls, doors, windows and stairs. These elements are the most emphasized components of the drawing. This emphasis is achieved through the use of a HEAVY line weight. Hatching is also used in some drawings to emphasize the cut elements and materials.
2. Items that are BELOW the cutting plane, such as toilet fixtures, kitchen cupboards and appliances and exterior landscape features - sometimes furniture is also included in floor plans. Such items are NOT cut and therefore are emphasised less in the drawing. This lesser emphasis is achieved through a combination of MEDIUM and LIGHT line weight. Where floor finishes are indicated by hatching areas of the floor plan, the hatching should be drawn in a VERY LIGHT line weight.
3. Items that are ABOVE the cutting plane - such as openings above, skylights and a roof above. These items are NOT cut or truly seen (because they are above!) - the convention is to draw such objects and elements is to use THIN DASHED line work.

Additionally, architectural floor plans include annotations such as room names, information notes and dimensions. Annotations are typically drawn using a MEDIUM or THIN line weight. Refer to the Lettering Module for information on the appropriate size for annotations.

FREEHAND GRAPHIC STANDARDS FOR DESIGN DRAWINGS
(Note: Graphic standards are different for architectural working drawing floor plans)

Different scales of drawing result in differing levels of detail for objects and elements in architectural floor plans:

LARGE SCALE ARCHITECTURAL FLOOR PLANS
(Typically 1:50 metric or 1/4"-1'-0" imperial)

Architectural floor plans to these scales are drawn with considerable detail. The hatching of the walls is not mandatory but adds emphasis to the elements that are cut.

MEDIUM SCALE ARCHITECTURAL FLOOR PLANS
(Typically 1:100 metric or 1/8"-1'-0" imperial)

Architectural floor plans to these scales are drawn with some detail, however the graphics of the more complex elements and objects have to be simplified - compare the level of detail used for doors and windows. In this example, the cut walls are emphasised by outlining them with a heavy line work - hatching or solid fill are alternate ways of emphasizing the cut walls.

SMALL SCALE ARCHITECTURAL FLOOR PLANS
(Typically 1:200 metric or 1/16"-1'-0" imperial)

Architectural floor plans to these scales are drawn with minimal detail, however the graphics have to be simplified. In this example, the cut walls are emphasised through the use of a solid fill - hatching or heavy outlining are alternate ways of emphasizing the cut walls. Note that it is difficult to include room names in a drawing of this scale - in this example numbers and a legend are used instead.

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