Civil Engineering Department
CE013 – Building Systems Design Laboratory Manual
1
Design Plate
No. I
I
FLOOR PLAN
1.
Objective(s):
The activity aims to introduce the basic concepts, significance and procedures for the drafting of
a
building
floor plan
which will serve as the basis for the development of their technical plans
.
2.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
2.1 Familiarize the basic operations and functions used in drafting a building floor plan.
2.2 Determine the technical descriptions involved in the development of a floor plan
2.3
Conduct the
actual drafting of the
floor plan
.
3.
Discussion:
Floor Plan is a scaled-drawing that shows a detailed view from above which defines the
relationships between rooms, spaces, traffic patterns, and other physical features at one level of a
structure. Sometimes referred to as the master plan, it is further defined as a visual presentation of
conceptual ideas supported by mathematical calculations aimed at giving convenience and comfort to
the users or occupants.
In developing floor plans, the designer must ensure that all the incorporated features inside the
floor plan must be thoroughly analyzed and planned to produce quality plans for the client/s. There
are a lot of aspects to consider when it comes to planning for a floor plan design. Sound planning
involves the integration of the following: Distribution; Circulation; Light and Ventilation; Sizes, areas,
and shape; Orientation; Zoning Laws; Height; Electrical and mechanical facilities; Location of doors
and windows, and; Superstition.
Distribution refers to the arrangement of each room unit in relation with its placement and position
with each other as to functions and coordination.
Circulation pertains to the movement of the occupants inside the building or structure. This should
not be hindered by any obstruction or any foreseeable instance that would hamper the occupants
inside a building or structure.
Light and Ventilation tackles mainly the inclusion of natural or artificial lighting and natural or
artificial ventilation inside a building or structure. Usually, artificial lighting or ventilation is more costly
than utilizing the natural method of lighting or ventilation.
Sizes, Areas, and Shape describes the adequacy of the floor plan to accommodate all intended
sets of furniture and appliances inside the building or structure while considering the amount of space
required for each person, and; the coordinated shape of the building or structure must always conform
to strict functionality rather than just plain fancy aesthetics without adequate purpose.
Orientation defines the consideration of environmental factors which may directly or indirectly
affect certain building features especially in determining the position of definite aspects of a building
or structure. Specifically, this refers to the position and direction of the sunrise and sunset, and; the
prevailing wind directions in the area.
