It takes years of dedication, education, and craft to become an architect, and we are in no way stating here that it is an easy process. It is fulfilling, and we thought we would put together a brief look at how the drawing of a house, and specifically a floor plan, works in terms of the process. This should give you a brief idea of what to expect when talking with architects and designers about the plans for a house or new development.
A floor plan is a diagram of a room or a building, drawn to scale, with the building viewed from above. This floor plan can be drawn in a way to show the whole building, to show just one floor of a building, or even just a single room. It can also be used in a way to demonstrate specific measurements, the furniture that could possibly be placed within the building, appliances, and anything else necessary to highlight how the room or building will function. Floor plans can also be used as a secondary function to help design the layout for furniture, to show the wiring systems required, and anything else to the function of the building. A floor plan is a fantastic tool for estate agents and letting agencies to help sell or rent out the space.
The floor plan is an integral part of architecture and is essential in the design and building phase of a home. The best floor plans are used to establish how a home will function, and how to maximise the enjoyment of the home through the creation of space and a flow that runs between spaces with a view to ultimate functionality and enjoyment. All of this helps to increase the value of the property with a view to future potential resale value and/or rental yield.
There are a few different aspects of a floor plan that help to design the perfect house. It should always offer a vision of flexibility and versatility, where a room can be used for multi-purposes (so for instance a bedroom can be turned into an office).
It should also have the ideal room layout – so the bedrooms should be away from the living and communal areas wherever possible, and bathrooms should never open out to face the kitchen or the dining area. A kitchen works better when it adjoins a dining or living room, ensuring that there is easy interaction between the two rooms for whoever is cooking. If there is a utility room for laundry it should be easily accessible.
If the floor plan is being designed for one person or family specifically then it should be drawn to suit those specific needs (but with that balance of the floor plan being flexible enough for future owners/residents). The size of the home is important, and the floor plan should consider how many people are likely to be in any given room at any given time, and for any planned furniture, appliances, or activities.
It is important to have a professional draw the architectural floor plan for your home to ensure that the construction maximises the potential for the home.
