| 1 | Localize the language | International projects may require Latin, Cyrillic, Arabic, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, or Korean text systems. These scripts differ in character width, reading direction, and line wrapping. | Prepare localized labels, legends, dimensions, and room names. Reserve additional space for translated text instead of placing text permanently inside narrow image areas. | Support Unicode text and test right-to-left layouts where required. |
| 2 | Respect reading direction | Most European-language layouts are read left to right, while Arabic and Hebrew are read right to left. Visual sequencing can affect how a buyer interprets circulation and hierarchy. | Mirror information flow when appropriate, including arrows, process diagrams, floor-plan annotations, and presentation navigation. Do not mirror fixed geographic orientation without explanation. | Add a clear north arrow and a written orientation note to every plan. |
| 3 | Use local measurement systems | The International System of Units is used widely, while some markets also commonly reference feet, inches, square feet, or local land-area units. | Show the preferred local unit first and provide a secondary conversion when the buyer group is international. Keep unit formatting consistent across plans, elevations, and cost schedules. | Use one decimal convention and identify every unit beside the value. |
| 4 | Make climate visible | Solar exposure, rainfall, humidity, wind, snow, and cooling demand vary substantially by location and influence façade, shading, landscape, and material decisions. | Include sun-path diagrams, seasonal shadows, prevailing-wind arrows, rainfall strategies, and passive-design responses in the visual narrative. | Show at least two seasonal conditions, such as summer and winter or wet and dry periods. |
| 5 | Represent local mobility patterns | Buyer expectations can depend on public transport access, walking conditions, bicycle use, private vehicles, service access, and emergency routes. | Visualize pedestrian desire lines, transit connections, parking and loading areas, accessible routes, and separation between public and service circulation. | Include walking distances and travel-time assumptions using a stated measurement method. |
| 6 | Show accessibility inclusively | Users may have visual, auditory, mobility, or cognitive access needs. Accessibility requirements also vary by jurisdiction and building type. | Use clear route diagrams, step-free entrances, lift locations, tactile indicators, accessible sanitary facilities, and readable contrast in all key views. | For digital graphics, target a minimum text contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal-sized text. |
| 7 | Clarify color meaning | Color associations are not universal, and color-vision deficiencies affect how many viewers distinguish categories in diagrams. | Use a restrained palette, direct labels, line patterns, symbols, and material textures in addition to color. Explain the legend before showing detailed plans. | Do not communicate a critical difference through color alone. |
| 8 | Address privacy and social use | Expectations for privacy, shared space, family use, hospitality, security, and public-private thresholds differ between households and communities. | Show visibility zones, screened areas, communal rooms, flexible partitions, acoustic buffers, and the relationship between private and shared spaces. | Use annotated sections to explain sightlines, thresholds, and acoustic separation. |
| 9 | Make compliance legible | Planning controls, fire safety, seismic design, energy performance, heritage restrictions, and environmental assessments are location-dependent. | Separate confirmed requirements from design assumptions. Add code overlays, setback diagrams, height envelopes, egress paths, and approval milestones. | Date every regulatory diagram and identify the applicable jurisdiction or project phase. |
| 10 | Use culturally neutral storytelling | People interpret human figures, furniture, landscaping, symbols, and activities through their own social and cultural experience. | Use diverse but non-stereotyped people and activities. Present multiple use scenarios, including everyday living, work, gathering, aging, and adaptable occupancy. | Label people and objects by function rather than implying a single lifestyle or cultural identity. |
