Drawing architecture

[Nemesis]

Sounds an interesting exhibition:

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=429&storycode=3129234&c=2

 

[Gareth Hughes]

All architects seem to be capable of the mechanical, technical drawing which Lutyens described as “letters to the builder”,

Discuss... :shock:

 

[Nemesis]

Well, I have a book of Ptolo Dean's 'sketches' which I like very much...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/03/15/pixptolemy.xml

While I agree that it is useful if an architect can draw a few plans which a builder can use :wink:

I think that drawing as a skill makes one look carefully and begin to appreciate proportions and textures etc of the buildings and structures of the past, and the details which make them interesting, and how they fit into the landscape. Anyone can use a ruler... as we can see from so many structures of recent times!

I've never used a computer drawing package, but I would think the ability to be able to sit and sketch out ideas on paper is so much more flexible and creative. It can happen anywhere and anytime.

It's a bit like writing - when you wake in the night with an idea or phrase then a few notes are rather easier than switching on the computer, and you can play around more readily on paper.

I think all archtects should learn the skill of drawing, some will become artists some won't, but being proficient I would suggest is a useful skill.

 

[plumbers mate]

Ptolo's drawings are (to my eyes) best seen at a little further away than with nose in the book as I find them a bit frantically wobbly. Seen at about 300mms or more away they are gorgeous.

 

[Flyfisher]

Lovely picture and possibly useful in an 'outline' planning application, but the average (or above-average) builder would surely need a lot more than that.

 

[Nemesis]

Well, there are architect's drawings and there are architectural drawings.

http://www.georgiangroup.org.uk/docs/grants/index.php

Then there are plans.

All architects seem to be capable of the mechanical, technical drawing

Well I hope so...

 

[Penners]

My maternal grandfather was an architect in Cape Town. I have a few of his detail drawings, which are quite beautiful. Many of his more major works are now in Cape Town museum.

I suppose that most "letters to the builder" are now done by computer CAD.

 

[ljn]

Interesting.

One of my favorite architectural illustrations is Joseph Gandi's birds eye view of Soane' Bank of England.
I love the way it imagines the building as a ruin before it was built, revealing the structure.
I also appreciate that the architect is thinking about how the building will age.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/Joseph_gandy_bank_ruins.jpg

 

[Penners]

After the events of the past 8 months, I should imagine it looks like that now.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

After the events of the past 8 months, I should imagine it looks like that now.

Alas! Nothing so good, it was demolished in the 1920s

 

[Penners]

Having demonstrated my ignorance (a lifelong passtime), I'm interested to know more. So is the current Bank of England building really less than 100 years old?

 

[Nemesis]

http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/education/museum/exhibitions/past6.htm

It is indeed mostly a modern concoction.

Sir Herbert Baker's rebuilding of the Bank of England, demolishing most of Sir John Soane's earlier building was described by architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner as "the greatest architectural crime, in the City of London, of the twentieth century".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_England

 

[Penners]

Very interesting - so the Old Lady isn't really so old after all.

 

[CHRIS]

Penners - Computer CAD is the same as saying ATM Machine (Automatic Teller machine machine) it is just CAD ok!!!

sorry but could not resist, I do have 3 hours worth of CAD time tonight drawing an elevation of the building behind the Cafe Royal after being on the scaffold all day.

 

[Penners]

Yup - like PIN number. But the tautology does help to clarify what you're talking about.

 

[CHRIS]

Are yes I never noticed that one.

 

[shelli]

I do have 3 hours worth of CAD time tonight drawing an elevation of the building behind the Cafe Royal after being on the scaffold all day.

Hangman? or Condemned?

 

[Penners]

:lol:

If the latter, then at least this cold weather will keep him fresh a bit longer.

 

[CHRIS]

I do have 3 hours worth of CAD time tonight drawing an elevation of the building behind the Cafe Royal after being on the scaffold all day.

Hangman? or Condemned?

I hate to say it "Hangman" We are knocking the place down!!!!! well part of it anyway.

and yes Penners it was freezing up there all day

 

[Nemesis]

That the listed Regent Palace hotel???

Anyhow, for anyone with the ability to get to Edinbugh before the exhibition ends, highly recommended;

for anyone who can't, although it takes a bit of clicking to get it online, worth the effort:

http://exhibitions.treasuredplaces.org.uk/100years/index.php