Floor Plans Tell a Story
Floor plans tell us a lot about a building – maybe more than you think.
A floor plan is a two-dimensional drawing to scale that shows a room or building from above. It indicates the relationships between rooms on one level of a structure. Architects use floor plans as a tool to design buildings. Later, they are used to describe buildings to those involved in the construction process.
Floor Plans are a Design and Communication Tool.
Architects create floor plans as a design tool and as a tool for communicating their ideas to the builder.
When we design a building, we start with the client’s program and budget. We sketch the building mass to see how it works for the client’s chosen site. We think about the desired forms, shapes and sizes as well as relationships between forms and the space that falls between. We consider the way people will perceive the building mass and we consider the potential views from the building.
Simple floor plans and building elevations are developed to demonstrate the relationships of rooms and overall massing, as well as their size, orientation, and style. We work closely with our clients to finalize the preliminary design.
Based on the preliminary designs, we develop working drawings and specifications (contract documents) to describe the project in detail for lenders, partners, and builders.
Floor Plans Answer Your Questions.
Floor plans are easy to read and reveal surprising clues about a building. Let’s refer to the floor plan of one of our recent projects as an example of how floor plans can answer questions.
Northline Apartments is a new high-end rental development under construction near Libertyville’s thriving downtown restaurant scene. The building has 3 levels of 4 apartments each and one level of parking. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with views overlooking downtown Libertyville, the apartments offer 2-bedroom, 2-bath floor plans with open gourmet kitchens and extensive amenities.
Let’s assume you are a potential building tenant and the building is under construction. What can you learn about the apartments by looking at the plans? Here are some of the things you can learn from the floor plans:
Where is the building located?
Location is the most important feature of any real estate.
When a rental building is in a desirable area, tenants are willing to pay higher prices and the building will experience lower unit turnover rates. Walkability is a huge renter focus, with key nearby destinations including grocery stores, work, and restaurants/coffee shops.
The site plan indicates the building address and shows the location of the building relative to others on the property. It also indicates the proximity of the apartments to parking and the common amenities on the site. For renters with cars, safe reliable parking is a big issue and off-street parking is very important. On the Northline Apartments site plan, you can see that the site provides off-street parking as well as garage parking on the ground floor.
What is the layout?
Today’s tenants want an open, flowing space that feels larger and accommodates groups.
By looking at the floor plan, you’ll be able to see if the apartment will feel open and airy. You can see the relationships between and within the rooms and will know if the layout of the common spaces is open or cramped.
On a floor plan, every room is labeled so you know the room’s purpose: bedroom, bath, living/dining area, kitchen, and walk-in closet. We include the furniture and fixtures, such as kitchen appliances, on the Northline Apartments plans. This helps prospective tenants to visualize how they might use the space.
What about amenities?
We want it all – modern kitchens, plenty of storage, washers/dryers, and more!
Whatever features and amenities you’re looking for in an apartment, you can probably find them on the floor plans. Kitchen layouts will indicate islands, pantries, and other desirable amenities. In-unit laundry facilities are a big plus for busy tenants who don’t want to spend precious time in a basement or laundromat. In-unit storage is also important for accommodating clothing, files, and holiday decorations. Floor plans will help you to determine if these important features are available.
Tenants enjoy being able to step outside for a moment to get fresh air or to barbecue. Unit balconies and patios will be indicated on the floor plans. Each development may also offer shared spaces for grilling or walking the dog, so be sure to ask about these or check the site plan for shared amenities.
Additional items of importance include things you may not see on an architectural floor plan. These include security and green policies like recycling and energy-efficiency. Ask the marketing manager if the apartment includes cable tv or high-speed internet.
What is the exposure?
Who doesn’t enjoy a light-filled, inviting space – preferably with a view!
Natural light is important to everyone. Perhaps you want an apartment with south exposure for maximum sunshine. Or you prefer a space without direct sunlight and are looking for a north-facing unit. You’ll want to know the direction the apartment faces. You can determine the exposure by looking for the north arrow, usually located toward the bottom of the drawing. On a floor plan, north is usually up, so rooms facing the top of the drawing will be facing north.
The floor plans will help you to see where the windows are located. This can help you to arrange your furniture or get a sense for the view from the apartment. To learn the window sizes, you many need to ask the property manager to see the building elevation drawings.
How big are the rooms?
Are you sharing an apartment with a friend? Do you run a business out of your apartment? If you have specific size requirements, you’ll want to check the dimensions of the rooms.
Marketing materials for most developments include schematic floor plans, with approximate room dimensions for each main room. If you have any concerns about fitting your furniture or equipment, ask to see the architectural floor plans. Architectural floor plans have dimension strings that indicate the actual dimensions of each room. By viewing the actual room and hallway dimensions, you’ll know if your California king-size bed will fit.
Floor Plans Provide Valuable Information.
Floor plans are a valuable tool that can tell you a lot about a building. Architects develop floor plans early in the design phase and refine them as the design and development process progresses. Using the floor plans, you can see relationships the architect designed between buildings and rooms, and can observe their form, quantity, and size. You can learn the building’s location, interior layout, amenities, sun exposure, square footage, and more. Maybe they’ll even help you to choose your next apartment!
