We explain what a rendered Floor plan is, who makes them, and their use and limitations. In our companion article, Demystifying Architectural Drawings: An Air Jordan 31 in Plans, Elevations, Sections, and Details, we teach you how the plan provides a bird’s-eye view of space and the four other architectural drawings essential to understanding the representation of your construction project.
Rendered plans are enhanced versions of traditional 2D line drawing floor plans, offering a three-dimensional visual representation of a space that includes details like pattern, color, light, and shadow.
Three images side by side show the same apartment floor plan with different levels of detail.
Traditional 2D Floor Plans
These are flat representations without depth, used to communicate with the Contractor. Line patterns and thicknesses, standardized by the construction industry, convey the spatial conditions. These drawings can be simple enough to convey the layout of an apartment and can be detailed enough to provide information to a contractor on how to build out a space. They typically include room dimensions, walls, doors, and windows, and provide a clear overview of how the space is organized. Furniture is rarely included.
Comparison of the real estate plan our clients saw when they purchased their apartment, and AKA’s construction plan with detailed annotations.
Stylized 2D Floor Plans
These incorporate patterns and colors to represent materials and furniture. These descriptive elements make it easier for non-architects to understand. They are helpful for architects’ and interior designers’ design development, especially when the materials and layout are interconnected.
Photorealistic 3D Floor Plans
These create the illusion of depth, offering a more realistic visualization of a space, similar to looking into a dollhouse. This type of plan provides a more immersive experience that benefits a real estate promotional image, or it can help clients decide on interior design finishes, furnishings, and material palettes. They include patterns and colors to represent materials and furniture, helping viewers grasp proportions, scale, and spatial relationships.
Simulated 3D Plans vs. Plans of 3D Models
The photorealistic 3D floor plans described above are 2D drawings illustrated to look like they are 3D. These are simulated to look like 3D plans and lack the ability to rotate through the space of 3D models. Simulated 3D plans use the following techniques to enhance the plans:
In contrast, the plans of 3D models can be rotated and viewed from different angles. 3D models are much more time-consuming to create becasue they are a virtual model of all sides of the space.
Pro Tip: 3D floor plans provide a clear and tangible representation of the layout, making it easier for the clients to understand the design and make informed decisions.
An AI rendering shows how 2D and 3D can be combined to create a presentation that illustrates how black lines on a plan signify walls.
Many types of design professionals can create a rendered floor plan as they have presentation tools.
Only licensed architects can create floor plans for filing with local authorities.
Pro Tip: If you are trying to understand a space without paying a design professional for a rendering, try DIY software can effectively convert your professional’s 2D plans into 3D floor plans. These tools provide a user-friendly interface and often include libraries of 3D models and features that simplify the process.
Rendered floor plans are powerful visual tools that bridge the gap between imagination and reality. They are useful for:
Pro Tip: If visual aids are essential for your understanding, request 3D-rendered plans. However, be prepared for potential additional costs and time not typically included in initial quotes.
While useful for finalizing material decisions, rendered floor plans often provide too much detail during early renovation stages.
Key considerations:
Birdseye view of a rendered 3D floor plan advertising a studio apartment.
Each type of floor plan serves a unique purpose in the design and visualization process.
When working with a design professional:
Discuss options with your professional if you need additional work done, understanding there will be extra fees.
When considering a purchase or rental,
Whether you are a homeowner planning a renovation or a buyer exploring potential properties, understanding the spectrum of rendered floor plans empowers you to ask for the information you need to make your decisions.
For more insights on architectural drawings and design visualization, check out our companion article, “Demystifying Architectural Drawings: Understanding Plans, Elevations, Sections, and Details.“
We would love to hear about your experiences with different types of floor plans. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Image 1 & 3: © Allegra Kochman Architecture (AKA)
Image 2: Rendered Floor Plan by Designblendz
Image 4: AI-generated using ChatGPT
Image 5: Astria Senior Living — Studio 1006
AKA Images may ONLY be used WITH PERMISSION
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