Simply stated, floor plans are like maps of rooms. A floor plan is a drawing that shows a space as seen from above with everything appearing flat. The basic purpose of floor plans is to show what a room or building will look like when complete. Measurements, doors and windows, placement of structural details such as fireplaces, bathroom fixtures, and appliances are all pieces of information one might obtain from a floor plan.
In addition, floor plans show how a room is organized, from fixed features to moveable features. (See Figure 3)
Figure 3: Floor plan of the first floor of a single family home courtesy of studiogfour.com/furnitureplan
Elevations
This term refers to drawings that show the front, back, or sides of a building. The information is used to see what materials will be used and what height the structure will be. Elevations are drawn at the same scale as the building plan. These are the views you would see walking by or around the building, observing the exterior characteristics and qualities. Doorways, placement of windows and other openings in the building, details of design, the true look of the finished building are the goals of the drawing. The elevation, in essence, is the face of the building.