Architectural building plans use icons and symbols to represent features such as exterior walls. On a construction plan, an outside wall typically has a double line around it, along with various notations and symbols that indicate measurements or materials being used. The exterior walls of an Art Deco house are particularly unique, and the symbols used to represent them can vary depending on the era. A typical Art Deco house exterior wall symbol is a line showing the width of the wall along with an open arrow pointing in the direction of the building. In some cases, the wall can be constructed of a single material, such as brick or stone, with no intervening wall space featuring window-frame shapes. House Designs: Exterior Wall Symbols
An essential feature of an Art Deco house is the fireplace. This can be represented on a plan with a dotted or solid-line circle and an opening at the bottom for the hearth. Since fireplaces vary in height, a symbol is often used to represent a standard height fireplace. Any enclosures or hearths for gas or wood-burning fireplaces are also represented with a fireplace symbol.House Designs: Fireplace Symbols
Basic floor plans are a key component of any architectural plan and typically feature the floor Joist, doors, Walls, and windows. For the floor joists, a double solid line indicates the width of each joist, while a dashed line indicates the height. Doors and windows are represented with symbols that illustrate the size, type, and materials used. Walls are represented with a line that indicates the width and with arrowheads pointing in the direction of the building.House Designs: Basic Floor Plan Symbols
Architectural plans typically include a roof framing plan that features symbols for rafters, ridge boards, beam ends, and other framing components. Each symbol typically includes measurements for the rafter or joist. In addition, specific symbols may be used to represent the type of roof material. While this material can be any type of shingle, the symbols typically represent the shingle type of an Art Deco house, such as slate, laminate, or wooden shake.House Designs: Roof Framing Plan Symbols
In an architectural plan, doors are represented with a symbol that shows the width and height of the door, as well as the material used. With an Art Deco house, doors tend to feature decorative elements, such as paneling and arches. The door symbol for an Art Deco house should include details about these decorative elements, such as their size and location.House Designs: Door Symbols
Windows are a key feature of an Art Deco house, and the symbols used to represent them should include the size, shape, and materials used. A basic window symbol can be represented by a straight line with an arrowhead pointing in the direction of the window. More detailed window symbols might include a solid line with a square in the middle to represent the window pane, or two lines intersecting to represent the shape of the window. In addition, the window symbol should include any decorative elements, such as an arch or an embossed pattern.House Designs: Window Symbols
When creating an architectural plan, electrical symbols are used to represent electrical components, such as fixtures, outlets, switches, and transformers. Each symbol typically has a name and is assigned a letter or number. The electrical plan for an Art Deco house should include electrical symbols that represent the fixtures and the type of lighting being used. For example, a light bulb symbol might denote an ordinary bulb, while a fluorescent symbol might represent a type of energy-efficient lighting.House Designs: Electrical Plan Symbols
In an architectural plan, plumbing symbols are used to represent water pipes, drainage systems, valves, and other components of a water supply system. For an Art Deco house, the plumbing symbols used should match the era and should include features such as exposed pipes, ornate faucets, and decorative fixtures. The use of a plumbing symbol can help identify areas in the house where plumbing needs to be installed.House Designs: Plumbing Symbols
In an architectural plan, HVAC symbols are used to represent the various components of a heating and cooling system, such as ducts, fans, grilles, and filters. These symbols are important because they indicate the location of air vents, ducts, and other components of the system. For an Art Deco house, HVAC symbols should reflect the era, such as with ornate grilles or decorative registers. The use of HVAC symbols can help architects design the most efficient system for the house.House Designs: HVAC Symbols
Furniture and equipment symbols are used to represent the various pieces of furniture and appliances in a home. For an Art Deco house, these symbols should reflect the era, such as with curved armchairs, columns, and other sculptural elements. The use of these symbols in an architectural plan can help identify the type of furniture and appliances needed for a particular room. In addition, furniture and equipment symbols can help designers create an aesthetically pleasing art deco house.House Designs: Furniture Symbols and Equipment Symbols
Dimensioning symbols are used to indicate the size and type of a structure. Examples include symbols for pipes, walls, beams, footings, floors, and roofs. Each symbol has a letter or number indicating the type of material used, such as steel or wood. For an Art Deco house, this symbol can indicate the style and materials used, such as arches, art glass windows, or decorative stone. The use of standard dimensioning symbols in the architectural plan can help ensure that the structure meets the desired requirements.House Designs: Standard Dimensioning Symbols