One of the first ways people are introduced to architecture is through architectural drawings. You may be familiar with a common type of drawing called a floor plan. There are three distinct types of drawings--

. In this activity, we will cover how to identify the type of architectural drawing you may observe.

 view shows the view of the inside of a structure from above. Plan views are typically horizontal, or left to right, depicting the flow of movement of a space. 

 is a vertical, or top to bottom, view of a building's exterior or interior. It shows the height of walls, windows, doors, and other features, helping to understand how the building will look from the outside or from a particular side. Elevations focus on the design and appearance of the building.

 is a drawing that shows a building as if it were sliced vertically, showing the inside of the building. It shows details about floor heights, how rooms are stacked, and how different levels connect. Sections are important for understanding how the building works internally, especially the relationships between spaces and structures.

Standards for Read Like an Architect