What Is A Plan, Section And Elevation?

What is section plan?

A section is an orthographic projection of an object as if it would appear cut vertically by

an intersecting plane

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SECTION PLAN?

Architectural drawings use section views to reveal the interior details of walls, ceilings, floors,

and other elements of the building structure. Sectional drawings are multi-view technical

drawings that contain special views of a part or parts, which reveal interior features.

Plans, sections and elevations are all scale representations as drawings on a page
of much larger, real-life objects or structures. We are shrinking them down.

Learn more in the article titled “How To Use An Architectural Scale

Ruler (Metric).”

Plan, section and elevation drawings are orthographic drawings.

Orthographic projection is a way of representing a three-dimensional form or

object in which the object is viewed from a position perpendicular to the drawing
plane being viewed.

Learn more in the article titled “An Introduction To Architectural

Drawing Systems.”

To keep it simple, let’s consider a capsicum as a three-dimensional object that is

hollow inside, like a building or architectural structure.
A capsicum or a house or a box would normally have a top view, a front view and a
side view, as well as a back view and a second side view. Some of these views may
be similar but unlikely to be the same. The top view is what is called a plan in
architecture. The front, back and side views are called elevations.

When we look at them together, these different views give us a full understanding
of the total exterior of the object or structure. The only view we are missing is the
bottom view.

For a capsicum or a free-standing object, this bottom view is important and

completes our understanding of the object. A house or an architectural structure
has no bottom view as it is fixed to the ground and we do not get underneath to see
it!!
Architectural Plans
Let’s consider plans in a little more detail…

A plan is a view of an object projected horizontally, or from above. In architectural

drawing, this is known as a top view, top plan or roof plan.

Our top view of the capsicum is like a roof plan of a building or architectural
structure. However, this only gives an understanding of the outside of the three-
dimensional form.

Other architectural plans are cut horizontally through the building or object,
usually at a height of about 1,000-1,200mm above the ground or a floor plane.
These are usually called floor plans and give us information about the thickness of
walls and openings as well as the qualities, size and shapes of internal spaces.

A floor plan is like slicing through a capsicum, lifting off the top and then drawing
or showing everything you would see – that is both cut through and below the level
of the cut.
If we look at what exactly has been cut in the capsicum, we can now see the hollow
inside space, as well as the thickness of the skin, how the skin changes in thickness
to create interesting internal shapes and spaces, and the fact the skin is solid and
there are no holes or openings (which we would call doors or windows in a
building). What is also important is that we can also see the inside skin of the
capsicum behind or lower than the level of the cut.

In a building, we slice through at about 1,000-1,200mm above the floor. Let’s say
about 1,100mm. The reason we choose this height is that it is about the height
where humans use their hands. It is just above benches and tables, and where
most windows will run through vertically. This means when we cut through at this
height we will capture as much information as possible in our drawings. Consider
what you would see if you cut through the plan at 100mm above the floor or
100mm below the ceiling. You would miss all the windows, doors and important
elements.

If we look through at exactly what is cut through in a building plan we see wall
thicknesses, windows, doors and openings. We can see also see
what is below the line of the cut such as any built-in furniture like kitchen benches,
sinks, toilets or bathroom vanities. We can also see floor or ground materials and
the top of furniture or furniture outlines.

If we put the top of the building back again, what we would see is a top view or roof
plan.
Architectural Sections
A section is an orthographic projection of an object as if it would appear cut
vertically by an intersecting plane.

A section is drawn similar to a floor plan, but vertically. What is most important in a
section is the information that is cut through. As a plan, we see wall thicknesses,
windows, doors and openings. They must be drawn the same way, as in reality,
they are the same thing.

As in a plan, we can also see what is behind the line of the section cut such as any
built-in furniture like outlines of kitchen benches, sinks, toilets or bathroom
vanities as well as wall materials and objects on walls. This information in the
distance behind the cut is internal elevation information.

In a section, the most important information is the cut which communicates the
material thicknesses, types, openings and the internal and external spaces, forms
and shapes created. The internal elevation information is usually indicative or
secondary in a section and is shown in more detail in a drawing dedicated to the
internal elevation, which we will get to shortly.

If we have multiple sections cutting through our capsicum or structure, would

name each of them with letters – Section A-A, Section B-B etc.

If we put the removed half of the building or capsicum back again, what we would
see is an external elevation.

Architectural Elevations
An elevation is a vertical view of an object projected onto a picture plane.

A capsicum has a front, back and two side views or elevations depending on how
we position ourselves relating to the object. Similarly, a building or architectural
structure will normally have four elevations if it uses square or rectangular
geometry. Elevations will be labeled Elevations 1,2,3 and 4, starting at the top and
working clockwise. More commonly they will be labeled North, South, East or West
Elevation based on the direction the elevation is facing – not the direction you are
looking.

A more complex shaped plan with angles or curves may end of with multiple
elevations, but that is beyond what we are discussing here.

It is important to note that a building elevation is always drawn as if you are

standing back away from the structure. The ground plane is always cut through in
section because the ground plane is continuous and you can never see it in
elevation.
Internal elevations are usually drawn of individual rooms. The begin from inside
the line of the section cut to show the internal materials, objects and finishes on a
wall or vertical surface.

Drawing A Plan, Section And Elevation

If we were to draw a set of plans, sections and elevations of the capsicum, we
would be drawing an existing object. As an architect, we might be drawing an
existing building or structure. However, more likely we are drawing something that
does not exist, and so are using these drawings as a way to help us design.

When we draw plans, sections and elevations we are drawing the object or
structure in true, real proportions of height, length and width measurements. We
must be very exact and measure everything carefully or our drawings will look
distorted. We must also be sure that our drawing does not have perspective and is
representing flat planes only.
 We normally start our orthographic drawings with a floor plan so we can place our
horizontal points in space. We can then work from the plan to project the sections
and elevations in the vertical.

Learn more in the article titled “How To Draw A Plan Section And
Elevation In Architecture

Things To Remember…
Hopefully, that gives you a very basic understanding of plan, section and elevation
in architecture. In summary, here are a few key things to remember.

 Plans are horizontal views. Sections and elevations are vertical views.
 Plans and sections focus on the “cut.” Elevations focus on the vertical planes.
 Elevations are labelled with numbers or compass directions North, South, East and
West based on the direction they are facing, not the direction you are looking at
them. Sections are labelled with letters.
 Sections and elevations are always drawn with the ground plane cut through in
section.
 Elements cut in plan and section (ie. wall type and thickness, doors, windows)
should be drawn the same way, as they are representing the same thing.
 Internal elevation information is secondary in sections and should generally be
indicative.
 Plans, sections and elevations should be accurate, proportional and show the
same measurements and points in space throughout each drawing.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SECTIONAL DRAWING PLAN?

architectural drawings use section views to reveal the interior details of walls, ceilings, floors,
and other elements of the building structure. Sectional drawings are multi-view technical
drawings that contain special views of a part or parts, which reveal interior features.

RULES OF SECTIONING?

e 1: A section lined area is always completely bounded by a visible outline.

 Rule 2: The section lines in all areas should be parallel. Section lines shown
in opposite directions indicate a different part.

Rule 3: All the visible edges behind the cutting plane should be shown.

Rule 4: Hidden features should be omitted in all areas of a section view.

Exceptions include threads and broken out sections.

What type of section should I use?

The type of section used depends on the situation and what information needs
to be conveyed.

Basic Sections
 Full Section
 Half Section
 Offset Section

Full Section
To create a full section, the cutting plane passes fully through the object. Used
in many cases to avoid having to dimension hidden lines.
How does a half section work?
A half section exposes the interior of one half of an object while retaining the
exterior of the other half. Half sections are used mainly for symmetric objects
or assembly drawings. A centerline is used to separate the two halves. Hidden
lines should not be shown on either half.

What is an offset section?

An offset section is produced by bending the cutting plane to show features
that don’t lie in the same plane.
Ex: Types of section views
This objective of this exercise is to help you identify the different types of basic
section views.

Identify which type of section each of the drawings use and the material that
the part is made from.
Type of section?

Type of material?

Type of section?

Type of material?

Type of section?
Type of material?