DESIGN COMMUNICATION
In this module, students will learn fundamental skills on the proper communication of architectural design. They will learn drawing with different mediums such as ink and pencil and apply different techniques to visualize and portray expression of space through architectural drawings and modelling.
Project 1: On-site Sketching and Tonal Values
Brief Introduction
In the first project, students are asked to chose four scenes around Taylor's University and sketch and render them on paper. Students were encouraged to learn different hatching and develop their personal style to render the sketches. The photo below shows the sketches that I did.
Reflection
From this project, I have learnt that to make a good sketch, one has to look at the site very carefully. Every detail must be looked at, direction of source of light considered and depth of the drawing. Architectural sketches must not necessarily look like photographs. It is the impression and the information wanted to be conveyed by the drawing. If they succeed to give the viewer a taste of the place he/she is drawing, he has produced a good sketch
Project 2: Orthographic Drawings
Project 2A. Orthographic Drawings of Furniture
In this simple exercise, students are taught to draw the plan, elevation and section of a table. The drawing has to be 1:10 scale of the real table. It was first drawn in pencil on butter paper and later transferred to tracing paper in ink.
From this simple exercise, I have learnt how to draw table to scale. I t was confusing at first, but with help from my friends, i was able to draw it. Practice makes perfect. Drawing with technical pen was not an easy task. It smudged easily and one has to wait for it to dry before continuing to the next line. Moreover, we had to watch our line weight to show depth . This was achieved by using pens of different line weights. The 'layer' we see first has the thickest line and then the next few layers gets progressively thinner. But in conclusion, I like using technical pen as it gives a very satisfying result.
Project 2: Orthographic Drawings of a Building
For the next three projects, students are assigned a building to study, build a model and draw architectural drawing based on the building. Our building is Margaret Esherick house by Louis Kahn.
The study model that I made of the Esherick house.
Project 2b: Orthographic Drawing of Esherick House
Project 2c: Axonometric Drawing
Project 2d: Perspective Drawing
After completing all of theses projects, I have learnt some important aspects that would make me a better person.
First of all, I learned about the importance of time management. While completing this project, I struggled many times to finish it on time. Partly my fault as I left the work to the last minute. The submission was hectic, the work was very messy and I regret doing that. Lesson learnt, I will not leave my work to the last minute
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Next, I learnt that drawing is all about clarity. It's about the ability of another person reading your drawing through correct use of line weights and symbols,types of lines and rendering. It is about how much information the person reading is able to get from your drawing and understanding it. So when drawing something as long it is easy to read, even if it is not complicated, the drawing is a success.
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Finally, the importance of perseverance and patience. Drawing is not hard. It just takes time. When inking the drawing on tracing paper, one has to carefully draw each line, wait for it to dry and then continue. Each detail takes precision and accuracy, meaning the end of the line has stop at a certain point clean and precise, not going over, not stopping before. That is what makes a clean and beautiful drawing.
Project 3: Integrated Studio Project
In this assignment, students are asked apply the skills learnt in the previous projects to draw architectural drawings based on their studio design project
To be honest, drawing something of my creation was a very satisfying feeling. However drawing it had some difficulties and problems. Choosing the correct diagrams and drawings to show ideas and concepts needed some thought in it. But in the end, I did it.
