Basic Steps of How to Draw Architectural Plans

Architectural plans are designs and planning for a structure. Architects create different architectural plans such as floor plans, site plans, structure elevation plans, landscaping plans, plumbing and electrical plans, and many more. 

If you are an upcoming architect, you will definitely find yourself drawing these. The most common architectural plan you will be drawing is the floor plan, which is available for all buildings. 

That said, this article will focus on the basic steps for how to draw a floor plan, which is the basis for all architectural plans. 

Choosing a Good Architectural Firm

If you want to become an expert in drawing architectural plans, it is best to join an experienced architectural company as soon as you are done with college or university. This is why it is a college requirement to go through an internship. 

Architectural firms such as Humphreysandson in the UK have played a key role in ensuring that graduate trainees and young architects have learned the basic and advanced steps of drawing architectural plans. Joining a good firm is crucial. 

Selecting the Best Drawing Tools for Architecture

Another pillar of creating accurate drawings that satisfy clients while making your work easier is choosing the right tools. To make architectural drawings, you need a computer and relevant software such as ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, V-Ray, and Rhino 3D among others. 

Sometimes, it might be necessary to use more than one software program to make different architectural plans for one house. Hence, you should learn to use all of them appropriately. 

How to Draw a Floor Plan

  • Decide on the area – The available land dictates the size of the house and thus, the scale measurements of your floor plan. If you are drawing an extension to an existing building, you should know the exact size of the house and the available land to decide on the area of the floor plan.
  • Draw the walls – Now that you know the size of the house and the scale, it is time to add the walls. Actually, floor plans are mainly the walls, doors, and windows. So, these are the details you need to add carefully, making sure that they are to scale.
  • Add other features – Apart from the basic architectural features we have added, you should also add furnishings such as the refrigerator, kitchen counters, lounge chairs, the dining table, beds, the toilet, and so forth. 

Discussing the Floor Plan with the Client

The initial floor plan is just a draft, and you need to present it to the client as a proposal. Take time to go through all the architectural drawings with the client for understanding, amendments, and approvals. For the architectural, plumbing, and electrical plans that are very technical and detailed, involve these professionals to explain their plans to the clients. 

When everything is satisfying, you can make the final copies and seek authority approvals if any are needed. 

Final Words

Creating architectural drawings like an expert is very easy if you follow the tips we have shared in this article. Even if you are not a beginner, this guide is a good reminder of what needs to be done to develop the best architectural drawings. 

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