Educate yourself on architectural plans basics so you know exactly what you're getting not only in terms of the construction process, but also so you know how to properly budget for new construction or a remodel of your business. Commonly known as blueprints, an architectural design plan shows the dimension of the building, including floor plans, plumbing lines, electrical lines, and doors and windows.

Recognize the importance of having detailed architectural designs. These architectural design plans are used by your contractor to plan the construction process, hire subcontractors and plot the time frame of construction. Architectural planning allows for materials to be ordered and installed in a timely fashion, avoiding costly delays and saving money on the overall budget for the project.

1. Learn more about the basics of architectural planning.

2. Use online sources to find common architectural plans for specific types of structures.

3. Talk to professional consultants when considering architectural designs.

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Research what is involved in architectural planning

Take advantage of architectural colleges, professional associations for architects and other online resources to help you learn more about what's involved in architectural planning. University libraries are typically open to the public, allowing you to peruse the same resources that students use to achieve their formal education.

I recommend: The University of Texas at Austin has an architectural library from which you can access reviews, access government information and read online information pertaining to the architectural plan industry. Check out ehouseplans.com to learn more about architectural plans basics, including how to read them.

Find various examples online of architectural design plans

Take a walk around most any neighborhood, and you'll start to see a pattern in the types of houses you walk past. Building design has many elements of creativity, but many in the industry look to tried-and-true designs that have proven to be good, liveable structures. Learn about some of the most common architectural design plans to have the basics covered.

I recommend: The Plan Collection gives building plans and details on all kinds of structures, from A frames to farmhouses. The House Designers is another great source for common architectural design plans.

Meet with professionals when considering architectural design plans

Consult with professional design firms when it's time to create your architectural plans or when you have questions regarding what options are feasible. Look for consultants with a solid reputation and firms that provide you with guidance from the beginning to the end of the project.

I recommend: Architectural Planning & Design Group is a full-service architectural firm that provides everything from building code research to preparation of official documents like those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act Compliance Reports. Docstoc offers helpful tips on how to hire an architecture firm to help you create to best architectural plan for your project.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact your local architectural college to learn about government grants and architectural competitions that can help defer the costs of architectural design plans.

Are you tired of seeing the same building designs repeated over and over, in neighborhood after neighborhood? Maybe you're looking to break out of the standard box with commercial buildings that will draw people in, not repel them. Or perhaps you want to make a contribution to your community in the form of architectural planning that inspires.

As many consumers move away from the sprawling mansions of a decade ago, they're placing a new emphasis on smaller homes that are packed with details. In response to these consumer demands, architects are putting their stamp on homes that maximize space, offer custom touches and pay attention to energy-efficiency. When you're looking at architectural plans, consider the following.

1. Bigger is not necessarily better. As we become more aware of how our actions affect our precious environment, we need to adjust accordingly, and that includes architectural plans.

2. Think about how you can add variety to your neighborhood by choosing an innovative architectural design plan.

3. Decide which commercial building plan will both suit your potential tenants and positively change the feel of the downtown streets.

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Consider architectural planning that makes a positive impact in the community

When you're looking for a plan to satisfy a discriminating customer, consider architectural designs- not just house plans drawn up on the computer by a draftsman or a builder. What's the difference? With architectural design plans, you can expect more attention to detail and more concern about maximizing all available space in the house. Expect a higher degree of accuracy from archictectural plans.

I recommend: Architectural House Plans is a company that produces unique building plans created by notable architects. Explore Maple Forest Cottage, one of the company's premiere designs.

Today's building plans feature smaller homes

Are you looking for architectural design plans that evoke the past, but include the features of today? With architectural plans for smaller homes, you can find wide porches, multi-level rooflines and wide windows, as well as the open interior spaces that are so popular.

I recommend: Ross Chapin Architects' 1635 sq. ft. Plumrose House offers a happy medium between the old and the new with peaked roofs and a broad porch, perfect for sipping lemonade on a hot day.

Attractive architectural designs makes a difference in business curb appeal

What can you add or take away from a standard office building that will make it more attractive to consumers? Think about details you can easily add to the architectural plan that will add warmth to the structure, including aged brick, awnings over windows, good windows and shutters.

I recommend: Nelson Design Group has many different choices for commercial buildings. Their 8,000-square-foot architectural plan for multi-tenant office building can hold four tenants. Their inviting design features a mix of exterior materials, multipaned windows and welcoming awnings to shield customers from rain or to offer shade on a park bench.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you order enough architectural plans so that your subcontractors can quote the job accurately.

If you've got your sights set on a career in architectural design you should realize that plans created by architects are much broader and more inclusive than many people think. Architectural plans include not only floor plans detailing the layout of the building, but the specific materials to be used as well as every detail regarding the building's foundation and support.

Clearly, you need to have a firm grasp of of architectural design plans to succeed; creativity is not enough. Proper education and training will teach you the best ways to generate home plans as well as commercial architectural floor plans. Consider the following:

1. Earn a post-secondary degree in architecture. You'll learn how to create architectural designs as well as learn about building materials. Then you can sit for your licensing exam.

2. Maintain your license with continuing education. Staying up-to-date on architectural planning will keep your designs fresh.

3. Learn how to use architectural plan software. This will help you immensely in your professional practice.

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Start your architectural planning career with a college degree

Every state requires architects to hold a license before they can practice. To get this license, architects must hold a degree from an accredited college. Getting this educational foundation is the first step in achieving your vocational dreams.

I recommend: Find a school in your state by using the search feature at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. You can find links to programs offered by different schools at Architectstore.com.

Keep up with the latest by taking architectural plan CEUs

The majority of states require architects to take continuing education classes to maintain their licenses. These training courses provide updates and information so you can deliver your best plans to your clients. These classes also teach you new industry standards, like sustainable design.

I recommend: The McGraw-Hill Companies have a multitude of courses that can enhance your planning skills. The online edition of ARCHITECT Magazine also provides a great resource for finding CEU courses. If you're unsure of how many CEUs you'll need, find your state's requirements on the table at The American Institute of Architects.

Enhance your architectural designs by learning to use special software

There are a variety of software programs available for architects. These can assist in planning and drawing and then delivering a quality product to a client. If you're unsure of how to properly use this type of software, it's wise to take a course or buy a tutorial to walk you through it. Otherwise, you will have wasted a lot of money on a program you can't use.

I recommend: If you're already familiar with AutoCAD but want to learn more about using it for architecture plans, check out the course from CAD Institute. There are a number of tutorials for Revit Architecture available at 4D Technologies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Continuing architectural plans education and training is critical to success in the architectural and building professions, as is creating a strong portfolio of your work. Put only your best work in your portfolio, but make sure it's well-rounded to show that you have a variety of skills.

Architectural plans key terms are pertinent to people in many fields. From the architects themselves, to contractors, to subcontractors, down all the way to the owners and anywhere in between, knowing the terminology surrounding architectural plans will help everyone involved better communicate on the project and give you a better overall outcome on your endeavor.

Architectural plans key terms deal in large part with marks on the plans themselves. They also entail dimensions, fields and projections surrounding the design of the plans. Architectural plans are a complex component to the start of a building, and understanding the basics of the concepts surrounding how and why they are designed will help you gain a better grasp on the business project you are working on.

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Dimension string

The dimension string is a line of continuous dimensions, and it can be open or closed. Closed dimension string gives every dimension along the string, and open dimension string gives only the dimension needed for size or location.

I recommend: Find out more about dimension strings from Architectural Practices - Task Checklists.

Orthographic projection

Orthographic projection is a drawing method that you can use for plan/section/elevation drawings. In this method you use right angles, parallel lines and perpendicular drawing surfaces to give you a 3-dimensional appearance on a 2-dimensional surface.

I recommend: Learn more about orthographic projection from MedBib.com.

Scale

Drawing to scale means putting your plan or elevation on a standard sheet of paper. You will typically see architectural scales in fractions and engineering scales in whole numbers.

I recommend: Look at the tools from DraftingSteals.com to make your architectural plans to scale.

Line weight

Line weight is the weight or thickness of the line on the architectural plan, which in turn signifies architectural information to the contractor or builder.

I recommend: Check out information Line Weight from Architectural Drafting Fundamentals from Triton College.

Dimension line

Dimension lines are the lines that are drawn between two extension lines that extend past your extension lines. Then at the intersection of the two lines, you put a dark tick mark via freehand at a 45 degree angle.

I recommend: Learn about dimension lines with illustrations from Integrated Publishing.

Extension lines

Extension lines are the lines that are drawn perpendicular to the dimensional part on an architectural drawing.

I recommend: Learn about extension lines tips and tricks in AutoCAD from Ellen Finkelstein.