Architectural Plans

Architectural plans are the basic design used to build a home or other type of building. In some circles, these plans may be known as house blueprints or house floor plans. This architectural plan will include all aspects of the building, as it relates to the construction of that building. Certain locations, especially larger cities, require that these house blueprints be filed with the city prior to the construction of a new home. This is usually done in newer homes, or any house built after 1990. Homes built before 1990 may not have a blueprint filed with the city because it was not required at the time. House blueprints include a basic floor plan of the house, as well as information relating to any additional stories on that house. For example, if a home has three stories, all those stories will be shown on the architectural plan. This holds true for areas of the house that may not be used regularly such as an attic or basement. The architectural plan will also show the separation of rooms, areas where the plumbing and electrical lines are run, and the size of rooms. They may also show doors and windows.

Historic architectural plans refer to both famous and common houses throughout history. Any building that was constructed more than sixty years ago is considered a historic building. Even early ranch style homes are now considered historic properties, and their floor plans are historic, as well. In some areas of the world, historic architectural plans refer to any home that was built prior to the date when the city required these plans to be filed with the city. The reason for this is that these house floor plans were not filed with the city, and are more difficult to locate. People are interested in historic floor plans for several reasons. The first is that they may own a historic home of their own that has had significant changes made to it over the years. They decide to use the house floor plans to see exactly how the house has changed, and possibly bring the house back to its original appearance. There are also those who use historic architectural plans to create a house that merely looks old. These people like the look of old houses, but want a house that is designed to their specific criteria. There are also those that consider themselves to be history buffs, and are merely interested in seeing the floor plans of historic homes.

Current architectural plans refer to those plans that are used with the construction of a new property. These floor plans are used for both the main building, as well as any outbuildings on the property. For example, if a homeowner wishes to build a free-standing garage and barn on their land, they are required to submit an architectural plan for both buildings. When an individual decides to build a new home, they must first purchase a plot of land on which to build. The next step is to hire an architect. The architect will be required to work with the client to create an architectural plan that meets all their needs. This house floor plan must then be filed with the city or county, who has final say over whether the plans meet their requirements. The blueprints of this house should include the number of stories in that house, the size of the rooms, and the locations of doors and windows. It will also include information relating to the plumbing and electrical needs such as the location of circuit breakers, water mains, and the basic layout of the lines. In many cases, it is difficult, if not impossible, for an untrained individual to create an architectural plan. They must use the work of a trained individual to create these floor plans.

There are several ways in which a person can find house floor plans or house blueprints. If the house is one that has already been built, the individual can start with a visit to their county office. The town hall is required to keep information on each and every house or building in the area, and to provide this information to the public. Each city has its own laws and regulations requiring who can seek the information, and the level of information they are allowed to see. They may be required to show proof of ownership before given access to the complete set of blueprints for a particular home. Many cities allow homeowners to request copies of the blueprints for their home that are kept in the town hall, though this varies from city to city. In general though, an individual will need to file a request in writing to their city government. This request may require information such as the plot number of the house, or the address. It may take four to six weeks or longer for the city to process the request. The individual will be required to pay a small fee, and the floor plans will be sent directly to their house. In some areas, an individual can make the request, and be given their floor plans in the same day. It typically depends on the size of the city, and the requirements city officials have put in place.

Finding house floor plans online is a good option for those who are creating a building from scratch, or those who are looking for a few basic ideas. The floor plans of existing houses are typically not placed online, unless the house is quite famous. Monticello is one private home that has its blueprints online, but this only happens in a small number of cases. A search for floor plans or architectural plans online will reveal a wealth of information. Many of these websites use existing pattern books for their information, which will be discussed later. There are many websites that charge users for the use of their information, but many others provide this information free of charge. Individuals have the chance to look at existing patterns or house blueprints, and even make copies of those plans. The copies are often quite small because they are printed off using a home printer, but the copy can be enlarged by using a commercial copier or printer store. The homeowner can then make any changes to these plans, or share them with their architect to show what they would like for their own home. In some cases, these plans are followed exactly for the creation of a new house.

Architectural pattern books can be a source of valuable information for individuals looking for plans or ideas for their own home. These books were originally created as a way to compile the plans issued by Sears and Roebuck. Individuals could purchase the books from the company, or their local grocery store, and then use the ideas to build their own home. While Sears and Roebuck no longer produces such books, others do, including the production company behind “This Old House.” Some of the architectural pattern books still use plans devised by the company, but others make alterations to those existing plans. The Internet has made it easier than ever to locate architectural pattern books, because individuals can find newer copies, or the original pattern books. Those who are interested in architectural pattern books can also look at their local home improvement store. These stores often stock the pattern books, as well as magazines that include architectural plans every month. The magazines and books have plans available based on the size and style of house wanted.

Reading house floor plans is one of the most difficult things for a novice to master. The plans are almost always created by a licensed architect who uses symbols and designs to symbolize specific things. In most cases, these architectural plans do not carry a key, which makes it more difficult for users to understand. While each architect has their own way of creating a floor plan, there are certain things a person can look for to identify areas of the house. The first thing to do is look for the largest area with electrical and plumbing lines, which will designate the kitchen. Smaller areas with the same lines will indicate a bathroom. Small areas that do not have any lines, or only one single electric line running into the area, will typically indicate a pantry or closet. Doors are shown as a line along a wall, with a small circular arc attached. This arc shows how the door opens. Windows are also shown on floor plans, and indicated as a smaller line in the middle of wider lines. The wider lines always show where a wall is located. Architectural plans will seldom show what each room will be used for, and architects do not label these rooms on the plans. Using a few tips though, a reader can see what the rooms might be, and where they are located.

There are several ways in which an individual can go about researching a floor plan. Typically, individuals will already have an architectural plan in mind, be it a house in the neighborhood, their own home, or a famous building. If the building is located locally, the individual can visit their town hall or city hall, and make a request for the plans. They will usually need to pay a small fee to access that information, as well as a processing fee if they wish to make copies of the plan. In larger cities, the information will often be sent to their home or business, as it may take some time to locate the proper plans. In smaller towns, the individuals can often do the research themselves, and make the copies that day. Those that are interested in a famous or widely recognized building could use the library and Internet for research. Depending on the building, it may be listed in a specific design book along with its floor plans. Users can also search on the Internet to find the specific house, and information on its floor plan, or where the floor plan can be located.

There are a number of ways in which an architectural plan can be used. Homeowners most often use them when they are attempting to make specific changes to the layout of their home. For example, an individual may decide that they want to tear down a wall in their home to create a master suite consisting of a master bedroom and large bathroom. Before making this change, the homeowner will need to consult their house blueprints. This may reveal that the wall is actually a load-bearing wall and cannot be removed. A load-bearing wall refers to a wall that was put in place to hold up a segment of the upper floor or roof. Architectural plans can also be used when a homeowner is considering adding a bathroom, moving electrical wiring, or changing the plumbing in any way. Plumbing and electrical circuitry, wiring, and lines are carefully marked on the house floor plans, and individuals can see the feasibility of their plans. They may discover that the area where they wanted to add the bathroom does not have access to the plumbing of the house. Some individuals also maintain a copy of their architectural plans in their home for future reference. While they do not plan on making any changes or additions in the near future, they may make that decision in the future. Homeowners who live in older homes often locate a copy of the historic house floor plan out of curiosity. These owners are interested in seeing if there have been any major changes to the house since it was built, and possibly returning the home to its original appearance.