Architecture Training | The Perfect Architects Floor Plan

Lesson 1 – Introduction (2:22). We open the course by explaining what it will contain and how this one is another lesson series where we don’t go through software, alone, but explain real world applications of the most important drawing to architects, the floor plan. The general arrangement plan is also a map to point clients and contractors to other drawings and packages for the building. Sit back and enjoy!

Lesson 2 – Lineweights & Layers (22:55). This course is built around a very useful template we’ve created at Studio RBA that keeps us in check with everything from the weight of a line right through to window and door labels. We introduce you here, to this very template and get moving with an explanation of proper line weighting and layering.

Lesson 3 – Basic Details (30:17). We finish off the shell of the floor plan by adding in key details such as windows, doors, furniture and people. We emphasise that each of these elements must be on their own layer for ease of use and adaptation later down the line, all in keeping with best practices in the real world.

Lesson 4 – Hatching & Fills (15:58). To bolster the appearance of the line weights we’ve previously discussed, we add different shades of fill to the walls to highlight the envelope, structural elements and interior walls. We add colour to the furniture and add patterns to the floor to set us up for both a clear technical drawing and an easier one to render at the end of the course. The use of fills and hatches have a multitude of applications, this lesson will guide you through the basics of their use and again, proper layering.

Lesson 5 – Stairs, Line Styles & Structural Elements (16:52). The use of correct line styles, to an industry standard, is crucial for clients and contractors to have an instance understanding of what you’re trying to portray. Dashed lines say something as overhead, dot & dashed lines show structural elements, for example. We explain this and more, plus we go through the principals of drawing stairs correctly and what to look out for when considering using the under side of the stair for storage etc.

Lesson 6 – Annotation (13:16). One of the most important aspects of a drawing is its annotation. This can make or break a project is a note is correct or otherwise. We start with the basics of font and sizes, so that they translate to a sheet correctly, moving into room labelling and demonstrating sizes and areas. We round the lesson off with a range of other example scenarios where annotation is crucial such as demonstrating the build up of a wall and how to label it.

Lesson 7 – Dimensions & Call Outs (24:21). In this lesson we show how you can call out sections, elevations, interior elevations, and detailed elements, using the template created. We also, use this lesson to tag walls, doors, windows etc as you would do for pricing and construction. We also explain, in detail, how to set the building out using dimensions and what else to pick up during this process, plus we introduce a bit of colour to make certain elements stand out.

Lesson 8 – Sheets, Title Blocks and Element Keys (13:04). Here, we jump back to the template and explain how to lay a sheet out and the importance of positioning the drawing well on the page with breathing space. You’ll also learn the key principles of title blocks, revisions, drawing references and everything else needed for an ‘official’ drawing in practice. We also explain how to use ‘element keys’ which are keys within the title block that you can repeat through similar drawings, by using XREFs.

Lesson 9 – Covering Your Arse (7:55). A crucial lesson explaining how to use notes on drawings to identify work that’s yet to be resolved, how to use revision clouds for both changes and highlighting potential clashes and how to use caveats to cover yourself in the event of a client or contractor not acting as per the drawing.

Lesson 10 – Rendering Techniques in Photoshop (22:48). We finish this lesson series by dropping the PDF into Photoshop and add depth, light, shadow and texture to bring it all home.