7 TYPES OF PLANS

S. Premalatha

epgp books

 

 

  1. Introduction

Buildings build cities and towns. Usually an architect or the town planner plans and designs the buildings. Planning is a process of thinking by making a space functional considering the user’s needs. It is a part of total architectural design; a bad plan can never produce a good building. A well conceived plan is an essential element of architecture. It establishes the size, shape, position and relations of various residential areas, including the kinds of open spaces that are created while relating the dwelling units to another. The unit plan, the kinds of internal spaces required within the dwelling to make it an architectural design.

 

There are certain general principals or factors which an architect should bear in mind while planning a structure. These principles are not rigid like the laws of mathematics or physics. But they are of very general nature and they have to be applied on individual merits only.

 

The setting of plan of the building on its site with reference to the directions is known as orientation and it plays a great role in increasing its utility from the view of climate considerations. However, an orientation of the building may either be dictated by the prevailing circumstances or it may be decided by choice. In the former case, the plan is provided with elements which would make the orientation as comfortable as possible. In the latter case, maximum advantage is taken of the choice granted in the orientation of the building.

 

Sufficient number of windows and ventilators at suitable level from the floor should be provided to cause movement of air developing comfortable conditions inside the building. The overhanging of roofs on south and west sides will help in protecting the walls from the rain.

 

To maintain a comfortable temperature inside the building it is necessary to construct the long walls of the building towards north and south and the short walls on the other hand should be placed towards east and west.

 

If projections in the form of balconies or verandahs are provided on east and west sides, the adjoining rooms remain comparatively cool. It is evident that roof of a building is exposed to the maximum amount for sun and rain. Hence it is necessary to exercise great care in deciding the type of roof and its method of construction. Flat roofs should be provided with water-proofing treatment and pitched roofs should contain valley gutters for draining rain water.

 

If the ground surrounding the building is provided with grass or trees or vegetation, it will considerably assist in reducing the temperature inside the building.

 

The orientation of the building should be such that advantage is available for enjoying the natural bon the breeze.

 

A residential building indicates a unit designed for the residence of human beings on a permanent basis or for a considerable time. Therefore it is necessary for the architect to study in detail the requirements and necessities of type of family likely to occupy the residential building. Thus the residential buildings are to be designed on the basis of a family as a unit.

 

Every unit will have its own identity depending on the site conditions, kinds of occupants, standards of accommodation required, size of family, financial condition of the occupants. The minimum requirements for a family unit are living room, Bed room, kitchen, dining, toilet, staircase and portico.

 

While planning a residential building, the factors such as aspect, circulation, economy, elegance, flexibility, furniture requirements, grouping, privacy, prospect, roominess and sanitation are to be considered. Let us see one by one.

 

Firstly aspect means the regulation of admitting more or less sunshine in the room. It develops hygienic conditions and it imparts a cheerful air to the room.

 

Then proper provision of circulation makes the building comfortable and convenient. There are two types of circulation. They are Horizontal circulation and vertical circulation. Horizontal circulation is on the same floor and it includes passages, corridors, halls and lobbies. Vertical circulation provides access to upper floors by constructing staircases or lifts. Next important factor is economy. It is necessary to prepare a economical project under given conditions and circumstances.

 

The term elegance is used to indicate the architectural effect produced by elevation in relation to width, height, positions of doors and windows, materials employed in construction of exterior walls. The result of elegance is aesthetics and without the aesthetic sense, the elevation will be devoid of elegance.

 

Flexible design should be such that with minor adjustments, it becomes possible to satisfy future needs when the occasion arises.

 

Every room of a residential unit has to perform certain function for which necessary furniture are required.

 

The placing of various rooms of a structure in proper correlation of their functions and in due proximity  with each other is known as grouping and the correct grouping grants the status of a balanced design.

 

One of the most important requirements of good planning is the privacy offered to the occupants and it should not be confused with seclusion which indicates total isolation.

 

The term prospect is used to mean the external views as seen from certain  rooms of the building and roominess refers the effect derived from space of a room. Sanitation is used to mean architectural hygiene and it includes cleanliness, lighting, sanitary units and ventilation. By keeping all factors in mind, now let us learn how to prepare and present our ideas concerning space planning and designing. There are different types of plans that should be used for presentation of ideas to understand how your plan would look when it is built.

  1. Learning Objectives

At the end of this lesson you will be able to

  • Prepare and present the ideas concerning space planning and designing.
  • Understand the importance of different types of plans required for Residential Building construction.
  1. Types of Plans

Proper planning is mandatory for a strong and everlasting construction. The type of plan varies with the type of building and the legal approval for a construction highly depends on the meticulous plan encompassing the entire area of utility. Any deviation in the building plan results in an unorganized construction, thereby leading to the formation of a weak structure. This may also result in a higher economic loss as well.

 

The various types of plans necessary for the construction of buildings as follows.

  • Site plan
  • Floor plan
  • Cross-section plan
  • Elevation plan
  • Perspective plan
  • Landscape plan

From the above, site plan, floor plan, cross-section plan and elevation plan are to be submitted to Local authorities to seek approval for the building construction.

 

3.1 Site plan

 

Site plan is a plan drawn to show the location of a proposed building in the plot with reference to the surrounding plots and nearest street or road from which access to the building plot. This plan has to be secured from the local authorities with its survey field number.

 

Site plan is indeed an imperative basic plan and the legal approval depends on the purpose for which the proposed site is to be used. The environment surrounding the site decides whether the plan could be approved for residential construction or for industrial approval.

 

The site plan provides following information such as

  • Size of the plot
  • Survey Field number (or) shortly SF no. of the said plot and also for surrounding plots
  • Access to the plot is shown by the nearest street or road
  • Set-backs i.e Open space between the building and boundaries of the plot
  • The exact location of the proposed building are shown in the plot
  • Proposed drainage lines with inspection chambers and its joining place with the corporation or municipal street gutter are shown with appropriate symbols
  • Source of water supply is shown
  • The north direction is marked by an arrow with ‘N’ at the head of the arrow
  • The trial pit results are also shown indicating type of soil and its depth. It helps in designing the foundation of the building

The above details are necessary for submitting the plans to the Local authorities for getting approval for construction of a building.

 

3.2 Floor Plans

 

The choices and tastes of people have changed in this technology era, where they prefer different plans in the different floors of the same multistoried building. Hence, floor plans are differently chosen to construct attractive and multi facilitated.

 

The floor plans have to be prepared for all the floor in a building if they vary in design. If the same floor plan is repeated one over the other, as in case of multi-storied buildings then only one plan is sufficient.

 

The floor plan gives information about

  • General arrangement of various rooms
  • Size of each room i.e Length and breadth of room
  • Thickness of wall
  • Location and position of doors, windows, ventilators, Lofts, sunshades and cupboards
  • Each room is shown with the major furniture arrangements for e.g. in bedroom, the  position of beds, wardrobe, dressing table, study table, chair, side tables etc.,
  • The sanitary fittings in bathrooms are also shown
  • In kitchen, the placement of range, sink, refrigerator etc., may be shown
  • The placement of electric-fittings such as wall-bracket, pendent lamp, bell, telephone, fans, A.C etc., may also be shown
  • It is important to show the direction in which the door and windows open and also placement of columns, beams and trusses are shown with appropriate symbols

3.3 Cross-Section Plans

 

Cross section plan is a view of a building obtained by making an imaginary cut through it. This plan is important for the contractor and supervisor for executing the construction work at the site. The architects give the constructional details in these plans. It shows the

  • Size and type of footings of foundation below ground level
  • Heights of basement, columns, walls etc.,
  • Floor level and roof levelof the building
  • Depth of roof beams and Lintel beams and
  • thickness of roof slab, lofts and sunshades

There may be one or more cross-sections prepared by the architect if there is any level  differences in the building.

 

3.4 Elevation Plans

 

Elevation plans show the relative proportions of different parts of the structure to each other and to the entire façade of the structure. The various parts should harmonize with each other to give pleasing appearance. Elevation plans are usually flat, they do not show the perspective. The near and distant objects are drawn to their actual size.

 

It shows the external features of the building such as

  • Type and location of windows
  • Design and location of balconies
  • The roof lines

Elevation is drawn not only for the front but also of sides, e.g. a house in a corner plot has two sides facing roads therefore both the facades should look pleasing and the designer takes care to see that the house looks beautiful from both sides.

 

The details of some intricate and important parts are also shown on a large scale for guidance and clarity of the person who supervises the work and the artisans who execute the work.

 

3.5 Perspective Plan

 

A perspective plan gives a pictorial view i.e photographic representation of the proposed house. These plans are prepared by architects to make the clients to understand how the house will look from outside after completion. It shows the house in three dimension.

 

3.6 Landscape plan

 

It gives details about the plan for the land surrounding the house.

It shows

  • Paths and car drives
  • Plants
  • Trees
  • Water bodies
  • Rockery
  • Outdoor game
  • Lawns and flower beds
  • Swimming pool if any

The landscape plan is designed to enhance the beauty of the house and its surrounding. It creates an atmosphere which reflects the taste of the people. The environment around the house has to be planned in such a way as to give a feeling of neatness and beauty and elevates the surrounding of the house above normal. A pre-conceived landscape helps to place the house in appropriate position. So that the house and landscape complement each other.

  1. Conclusion

First it started with the importance of planning, principles of planning and then orientation of building for comfortable living. We also learnt the requirements and factors to be considered for planning of a residential building.

Thus the above discussed plans are prepared to express the information and ideas which cannot be adequately explained through words. The symbols used are universally accepted and hence it can be understood by people who work with them.

Finally with various types of plans prepared for the effective communication and proper execution of the building at site.

you can view video on TYPES OF PLANS
Web links
  • www.bis.org.in/sf/nbc.asp
  • www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Manually-Draft-a-Basic-Floor-Plan
  • www.conceptdraw.com/How-To-Guide/building-plan
  • www.wikihow.com › Home › Categories › Hobbies and Crafts › Drawing
  • https://www.smartdraw.com
  • https://www.3dream.net/
  • www. floorplanner.com