Styles & Concepts
This core design element refers to the physical shape, structure, and materials used in a building.
What is Form?
In the US imperial system, these two symbols are used to denote feet and inches.
What are ' (feet) and " (inches)?
Modern architectural plans are designed online using software known by this three-letter abbreviation.
What is CAD (Computer-Aided Design)?
According to standard safety building codes, all houses must have at least this many exit doors.
What are two exits?
On professional floor plans, interior walls are shaded to represent this standard thickness range.
What is 4 to 6 inches?
This architectural style is known for a dollhouse-like appearance with lots of trim, asymmetrical design, and elaborate porches.
What is Victorian?
This concept allows architects to proportionally enlarge or reduce an object so that drawings remain consistent.
What is Scale?
These early planning diagrams feature touching circles representing relative room sizes and arrangements.
What are Bubble or Concept Diagrams?
What are safety railings or handrails?
Exterior walls are drawn thicker than interior walls and fall within this thickness range.
What is 6 inches to one foot?
Originating in 1920s Paris, this style features curves, bold lines, color pops, and decorative geometry.
What is Art Deco?
If 1 grid square = 3 feet, what are the actual room dimensions for a drawing that is 4 squares long by 3 squares wide?
What is 12 feet x 9 feet?
In the 1800s, architects reproduced drawings with white lines on blue backgrounds using this historic process.
What are Blueprints?
Health & safety regulations strictly prohibit this specific room type from opening directly into a kitchen.
What is a bathroom?
The 'Kitchen Work Triangle' creates an unobstructed, efficient path between these three core fixtures.
What are the Refrigerator, Sink, and Stove?
This home style is built with adobe (mud brick) and inspired by Native American structures built since ancient times.
What is Pueblo?
If the scale is 1/4 inch = 5 feet, how long is a real structure represented by a 2-inch line on paper?
What is 40 feet?
These natural elements often influence an architect's choices for room and building placement.
What is the direction of the sun or the natural landscape?
In crowded public assemblies, emergency codes require exit doors to swing in this direction.
What is Outward (in the direction of exit travel)?
These are the two shapes used in the architectural symbol for a stove.
What are rectangles and circles?
This architectural style features a low-pitched roof, overhanging eaves, and a covered front porch.
What is Craftsman?
Architects often estimate the scale of an unlabeled floor plan using standard exterior doors, which are typically this wide.
What is 3 feet wide?
Even with advanced digital tools, architects still begin their initial spatial exploration using this method.
What are hand-drawn sketches?
This is the largest dimension a piece of glass can be in a house.
What is 10 feet tall or wide?
Because it is considered a living space, a kitchen must include at least one of these design elements.
What is an exit (window or exterior door)?