Plan, Elevation, and Section
Interior Design: Plan, Elevation, and Section
As when learning any new discipline, it can be difficult to grasp and remember concepts and technical issues. Interior designing is no different – there is so much to learn to the extent that it becomes second nature. The first and most important aspect to learn in this industry are these three main concepts: plan, elevation, and section. Here, we explain each of the three concepts in turn and how they are vital.
What Do They Have in Common?
Before we explain the differences, it’s important for you to understand what they have in common. The simple answer is that they are all two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional spaces. They are of limited helpfulness in isolation but when brought together, create an accurate representation of what a space looks like, helping you decide what to do with it. Understanding each is key to helping you master interior philosophy and create stunning visuals for your clients.
What is a Plan?
Put simply, a plan is a birds-eye view. Imagine the roof or ceiling has been removed and you are looking down into the space. You can see everything from above. This is a floor plan – taking the top layer off to view an unrestricted horizontal view. Also known as a “top view” or “roof plan.” They come in a variety of styles, depending on your professional need. Some will show representations of the walls’ thickness to demonstrate the quality of internal walls and highlight both load-bearing and interior walls, as well as windows and doors. Think of it like cutting the top off a bell pepper and peering inside. What you see also depends on where you cut it, which is why some interior design plans may have several for the same space (if it varies). This may contain something called a “plan callout” – smaller rooms drawn at a larger scale, such as bathrooms.
What is an Elevation?
An elevation might seem like it is a view from above, but it is not – it is actually a side view of a room or building as it appears. A square/rectangle room typically has four faces – two sides, a front and a back. To each of these faces is a number starting from the top, 1-4, and moving clockwise around the faces. Increasingly, they may be labelled on the points of the compass instead to make things easier. These are assigned based on which way the face is looking, not the direction the observer is looking. Important note: buildings or rooms that don’t have the standard four faces will have more than these four elevations, or fewer. Nevertheless, the process is the same. External building elevations are drawn as if from a distance – such as across the street. Internal elevations are diagrams of single rooms, showing individual objects and finishes. You may also see a “call out” for elevation drawings.
What is a Section?
Finally, a section drawing is where the visual representation shows a vertical cut through. While a plan of a space looks down from above with the roof removed, a section is the same but cut through vertically. Here, you are not taking off the roof, instead it’s like taking off a side wall to peer inside – much like a child’s doll’s house. This makes it much like a floor plan, but vertical. Think of it like cutting a cake in half to see all the different layers. A section is better for a variety of things – not least of all seeing room height, wall thickness, and a room’s openings like windows and doors. Call outs and blow-up sections are also a thing in architecture and interior design.
Quick Explanation of the Differences
In conclusion, the three types may be summed up as:
- A plan is a horizontal view that looks at a cut of the thing you are looking at. Labels are usually by floor number.
- An elevation is a vertical view that looks at a vertical plane of the thing you are looking at. Labels are dependent on the direction facing with letters or the side.
- A section is a vertical view that looks at a cut of the thing you are looking at. Labelled with letters
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