Land & Architectural Survey Blog

Author: Bhavesh Ramburn

  • What is a Plan, is this a drawing?

    What is a Plan, is this a drawing?

    A plan is a drawing; in the context of measured building survey and topographical surveys, it represents the features on your property on a PDF or DWG drawing. These are used for your planning application and for your architect to produce your construction (proposed) drawings. According to the UK Government’s Planning Portal, plans are a crucial aspect of the planning application process, as they provide essential information about the property’s layout and boundaries (Source: UK Government’s Planning Portal). There are several types of plans, each serving a specific purpose in the planning process.

    • Floor Plans
    • Section Plans
    • Roof Plans
    • Loft Plans
    • Elevation Plans
    • Topographical Plans (or also called Land Survey Plans)
    • Ceiling Plans

    It’s essential to note that plans are not the same as site plans. A site plan is a drawing/illustration that shows your property in context to other properties. It is based on an Ordnance map and can be purchased online, with prices ranging from £8-10, depending on the scale (Source: BuyAPlan.co.uk). You need one for all planning applications. A site plan provides a visual representation of the property’s location and boundaries, which is vital for the planning process.

    Here are some examples of the plans mentioned above:

    floor plans are a crucial aspect of the planning process, providing a detailed representation of the property’s layout and boundaries. They are typically created using CAD software and are used to produce construction drawings (Source: Architects’ Journal). Floor plans can be customized to meet specific requirements, making them an essential tool for architects and developers.

    Section plans provide a detailed representation of a specific section of the property, such as a wall or a room. They are useful for highlighting architectural features and can be used to create 3D models of the property (Source: ArchDaily). Section plans can be created using various software tools, including CAD and BIM.

    Roof plans are a critical component of the planning process, as they provide essential information about the property’s roof structure and layout. They are typically created using CAD software and are used to produce construction drawings (Source: Building Design). Roof plans can be customized to meet specific requirements, making them an essential tool for architects and developers.

    loft plans are a type of floor plan that focuses on the property’s loft space. They are useful for highlighting architectural features and can be used to create 3D models of the property (Source: The Guardian). Loft plans can be created using various software tools, including CAD and BIM.

    Elevation plans provide a detailed representation of the property’s exterior, including walls, windows, and doors. They are typically created using CAD software and are used to produce construction drawings (Source: The Times). Elevation plans can be customized to meet specific requirements, making them an essential tool for architects and developers.

    Topographical plans, also known as land survey plans, provide a detailed representation of the property’s boundaries and layout. They are typically created using CAD software and are used to produce construction drawings (Source: The Telegraph). Topographical plans can be customized to meet specific requirements, making them an essential tool for architects and developers.

    ceiling plans provide a detailed representation of the property’s ceiling layout and features. They are typically created using CAD software and are used to produce construction drawings (Source: Building Design). Ceiling plans can be customized to meet specific requirements, making them an essential tool for architects and developers.

    Floor Plan Example 3 serves as a crucial step in the architectural design process. It allows designers to visualize the layout and proportions of a space, making it easier to identify potential issues and optimize the design.

    Section Plan Example 1 provides a detailed view of a specific section of the building, allowing designers to examine the relationships between different elements and components.

    Section Plan Example 2 showcases a more detailed and complex section of the building, highlighting the relationships between different components and systems.

    Topographical Plan Example provides a visual representation of the building’s site and its relationship to the surrounding environment.

    Loft Plan Example provides a detailed view of the building’s interior spaces, highlighting the relationships between different components and systems.

    Elevation Plan Example showcases a detailed view of the building’s exterior, highlighting the relationships between different components and systems.

    References

    • What is an Elevation Plan?

      What is an Elevation Plan?

      An elevation is a plan that shows the front, side, and rear facade (or lead of the building). This includes window/door positions, different surfaces; and, height of the building.

      • Window/door positions,
      • different surfaces; and,
      • height of the building.

      Elevations are usually required whenever your planning proposal requires external alterations of the property.
      Elevations can form part of a street scene drawing. A street scene is a collection of several properties’ elevations as viewed from the street. This needs to detail the different materials, window position, heights and any other features…

      That can demonstrate the style and look of other buildings on your property. This is necessary for planning applications where you are planning on changing the outlook of your property.

      Examples

      Here are some examples of elevations:

      Example of an Elevation plan
      Example of an Elevation plan

      Point cloud of an elevation
      Point cloud of an elevation
      Point cloud of an elevation
      Point cloud of an elevation

    • What is a DWG Autocad file, how do I open it?

      What is a DWG Autocad file, how do I open it?

      Autodesk AutoCAD is a popular software used in the construction industry for creating and editing 2D and 3D drawings. The file format used by AutoCAD is DWG, which stands for Drawing Exchange Format.

      This format is widely accepted and used by designers, architects, engineers, and surveyors to produce high-quality drawings and illustrations.

      According to a study by Autodesk, DWG files are widely used in the construction industry due to their versatility and accuracy.

      As a client, you can view DWG files by downloading the DWG Trueview software from the AutoDesk website.

      This software is free to download and allows you to view DWG files on your computer.

      Alternatively, you can use the A360 Viewer, a free online tool provided by AutoDesk, to view DWG files without having to download any software.

      The A360 Viewer is particularly useful for small businesses or individuals who need to view and print DWG files online.

      However, it’s essential to note that DWG files are proprietary and can only be opened with AutoDesk software.

      If you need to edit a DWG file, you’ll need to convert it to a different format, such as DXF, which is a more universal format that can be opened with various software.

      According to a report by Construction Business Owner, DXF files contain less functionality than DWG files and may require conversion to the original format for editing.

      The A360 Viewer is a convenient option for viewing DWG files online, but it may not be the best tool for printing.

      According to a review by PCMag, the A360 Viewer can take up to 2-3 minutes to process a document, and printing may not be possible.

      In such cases, downloading DWG Trueview software from the AutoDesk website is recommended.

      A video tutorial on using the A360 Viewer is available online to help users understand its features and functionality.

      References

      • Speed

        Speed

        For the convenience of our clients, a small online page has been implemented for each project. This online page allows clients to upload files and manage specifications with ease. The example website can be viewed here.

        When navigating our websites or receiving correspondence, speed and convenience are prioritized. Our online presence utilizes 99.9% uptime, ensuring a seamless experience. If an issue arises, our status can be recovered within 5-10 minutes using advanced data centre technology.

        Our servers process work securely, utilizing powerful machines designed for digital rendering, similar to those used in The Avengers or Toy Story movies. These servers provide the necessary capacity to handle complex tasks.

        Only client data is stored in the cloud, allowing surveyors, managers, and project organizers to focus on tasks without the need for high-end laptops. Our new servers currently hold over 9TB of data and are growing monthly. In our archives, we still have over 3TB of files to upload.

        Our servers boast an impressive arsenal of features, including 48 cores and 64GB of RAM, ensuring efficient processing of extensive resource tasks.

        Our server capacity has exceeded 16TB as of February 7th, 2017.

        References