What is the difference between a floor plan and an elevation?

A floor plan and an elevation are fundamental types of drawings in architectural design, and their distinctions are critical in understanding building layouts and visual representations. A floor plan represents a view from above, effectively displaying the arrangement of spaces and structures within a building at a horizontal level. It includes details such as walls, doors, and sometimes furniture, allowing viewers to understand how areas relate and connect.

Conversely, an elevation provides a vertical view, typically of an exterior or an interior wall, showcasing the building's height, architectural features, and external finishes. Elevations are crucial for understanding the façade of the building and how it interacts with its environment.

The correct answer captures these unique perspectives accurately, emphasizing how each drawing serves a specific purpose in the design and visualization of a building. The other options do not correctly represent the core distinctions between the two types of drawings. For example, showing both views in different scales does not explain the fundamental perspective differences. Highlighting dimensions versus material choices does not encapsulate the primary visual orientation they provide, nor is it accurate to class one type of drawing strictly as residential and the other as commercial, as both can apply to various building types.