Blueprint for Living
A blueprint is an architectural or technical drawing which includes all the design features of the finished building, including doors, windows, kitchen appliances and even toilets and wash basins.
Originally all engineering designs and technical drawings were produced on blue paper with white lines. The term 'blueprint' now refers to any design which can be on paper or the more popular Computer-Assisted-Design programs (CAD) which produce 3D images that you can view from all different perspectives or elevations. People use the word 'blueprint' for an early design that explains how something may be achieved. |
The blueprint process is based on a photosensitive ferric compound. The best known is a process using ammonium ferric citrate and potassium ferricyanide.[5] The paper is impregnated with a solution of ammonium ferric citrate and dried. When the paper is illuminated, a photoreaction turns the trivalent ferric iron into divalent ferrous iron. The image is then developed using a solution of potassium ferricyanide forming insoluble ferroferricyanide (Prussian blue or Turnbell's blue) with the divalent iron. Excess ammonium ferric citrate and potassium ferricyanide are then washed away.[6] The process is also known as cyanotype.
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The Secret Code of Drawings
Drawings must follow rules and guidelines so that everyone understands their meaning. Strict standards called the AS1100 help guide architects and designers so they can communicate with each other about their designs and decide if they comply with acceptable building codes. They have to check they are workable. These guidelines are available for everyone to look at and use to create their own designs. Click on the link below to read more about AS1100. Use the information provided there to answer the questions from "Can you break the code?" so that you will be ready to design your own Tiny House plans.
Can you break the code?
Each of these symbols are used by designers all over the world, but what do they represent? Look at the symbol, try and reproduce it in your book and provide a short explanation for the inquiry question next to it. Once you learn how to use these symbols, you'll be able to produce your own blueprint for living in your Tiny House.
Are You Ready to Draw?
- You will be drawing a floor plan for a Tiny House that can house a displaced family of four.
- The Tiny House may be single or dual level, have a maximum floor area of 40 m2, and comply with road rules for maximum width and length when being transported (in NSW, Australia this is 2.5 m wide and the total length of the car and trailer holding the house cannot exceed 19 m).
- The Tiny House must include a bathroom, kitchen, sleeping area, living space and storage.
- The floor plan must follow AS1100 standards for architectural drawing.
How many rectangles can you draw that have a footprint of 40m2?
Measure out this area 1:1 and walk around it with three other people. Think about how you can make a living space that a family could use efficiently. What is important?
Focus on the size of living areas, your use of innovative/creative storage ideas and what materials you will use.
Do Your Own Research
Use search terms such as "Tiny House plans" or "Tiny House real estate" to find a variety of design ideas on the internet. These sites may be useful:
Drawings
Now you have some ideas about what your Tiny House could look like, it's time to start drawing. There are many types of architectural drawings.
Here are two:
• Dimensions
• Stylistic concepts and development
Here are two:
- Drawings at design stage: Drawings used to develop ideas and concepts-
• Dimensions
• Stylistic concepts and development
2. Drawings at production stage: “Location drawings” will almost always include site plans, floor plans, elevations and sections.
Scale Drawings
Watch this video from the Khan Academy about scale drawings and then start to scale your own drawings on grid paper. Make sure to use symbols and a scale that represents the dimensions of the Tiny House. You also need to remember to include:
- Room layout
- Labelling, including room function and dimensions
- Locations of windows and doors
- How to draw multi-level floor plans
- Architectural symbols