Understanding Floor Plans and Sections: Exploring Vertical and Horizontal Cuts

Exploring Symbols and Sectional Views in Building Plans

Unlock the mystery of floor plans and their complex symbols in this informative article. Learn to decipher the codes and directions in a standard plan to better understand architectural layouts.

Key Insights

  • The article explains the various symbols used in floor plans, such as '1 over a 4.3' and '2 over a 4.1', which refer to locations on the plan.
  • A horizontal cut through the building represents the 'plan of plant' while the sections shown as images on sheet 4.1 are vertical slices through the building.
  • The article distinguishes between longitudinal sections (longest part of the building) and cross sections (shortest part), and explains how areas such as the elevator shaft are represented in the plan.

40—Planos de Piso—Secciones I would also like to point out these symbols shown here. You can see that it says 1 over A4.3. I have 2 over A4.1,1 over A4.1, and another symbol here and one here. This is a floor plan.

So this is a horizontal section cut through the building. These symbols here, with the leader line extending downward, indicate that if you want to see the section view of the building as cut right here—

Go to Sheet A4.1 and look at Detail 2. So, what I'm going to do very quickly is zoom out and then press the Tab key. You can see that here is Sheet A4.1. I have Detail 1 and I have Detail 2. These sheets show vertical sections through the building, cut at specific locations. So, again, if I go back to my basement plan, you can see that I have three vertical sections and two horizontal sections.

These horizontal sections are called longitudinal sections because they run through the longest part of the building. We call the others cross sections because they cut through the shortest part of the building. So, again, I have the floor plan.

We enter through the garage, we understand the dimensions, and we have the Keynotes. I enter the Laundry Room. I go up a couple of steps, and now I’m in this hallway or common area.

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I have an elevator shaft here. You can also see a note that reads 1 over A7.2. So, I have the symbol and the leader lines that connect to a heavier polyline around the elevator shaft.

This symbol is telling us that if we want to see an enlarged plan of this area, we should go to Detail 1 on Sheet A7.2.

Al Whitley

AutoCAD and Blueprint Reading Instructor

Al was the Founder and CEO of VDCI | cadteacher for over 20 years. Al passed away in August of 2020. Al’s vision was for the advancement and employment of aspiring young professionals in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industries.

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