Floor plan
A scaled orthographic drawing of interior spatial relationships at one level.
A floor plan is a technical or diagrammatic drawing that illustrates the horizontal relationships of interior spaces or features at one level of a structure. Typically drawn to scale and in orthographic projection, floor plans represent relationships without distortion and are usually drawn approximately 4 ft (1.2 m) above the finished floor, indicating the direction of north. The level of detail included on a floor plan is directly tied to its intended use and phase of design, ranging from schematic designs showing major space divisions to construction documents specifying wall types, fixtures, and finishes.
- field
- Architecture and building engineering
- known_for
- Technical drawing illustrating horizontal relationships of interior spaces at one level of a structure
- typical_vertical_position
- Approximately 4 ft (1.2 m) above the finished floor
- projection_type
- Orthographic projection
- orientation
- View from above, similar to a map
Lore & Background
The art of constructing ground plans, known as ichnography, was first described by Vitruvius and included the geometrical projection or horizontal section representing the plan of any building, taken at such a level as to show outer walls, doorways, windows, fireplaces, and the correct thickness of walls, as well as the position of piers, columns, courtyards, and other features. A plan view is defined as a vertical orthographic projection of an object on a horizontal plane, like a map, and in the case of a floor plan, the roof and upper portion of the walls may typically be omitted to reveal what lies beyond.
Reader's Guide
Floor plans serve as a fundamental tool in architecture and building engineering, providing a standardized method for depicting the internal arrangement of a three-dimensional structure in two dimensions. They are typically the starting point for any interior design project and are used throughout the design process, from schematic phases to construction documentation. Variations include reflected ceiling plans, which show a view as if looking from above through a mirror below the ceiling, and 3D floor plans, which use perspectival representation to convey layouts to those unfamiliar with traditional plans. Simplified plan diagrams may indicate non-technical information such as fire exit locations or circulation patterns. The level of detail in a floor plan is directly tied to its intended use, with construction plans including specific dimensions, wall construction types, fixture details, and symbols for electrical items.
Did You Know?
- Floor plans are typically drawn approximately 4 ft (1.2 m) above the finished floor.
- Objects below the cutting plane are seen, objects at that level are shown cut in plan-section, and objects above are omitted or shown dashed.
- The term 'floor plan' may also denote the arrangement of displayed objects at an exhibition or exhibitor booths at a convention.
- 3D floor plans are perspectival representations, often produced using a digital model and rendered to show better depth of image.
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