This document discusses the importance of drawings in the building design process. It begins by stating that all buildings are planned in advance through design. It then explains that the design process involves three key stages: conception, development, and realization. In the conception stage, architects create initial sketch proposals and drawings to visualize their ideas for the client and design team. In development, alternative designs are explored through more drawings to arrive at a fully-developed solution. Working drawings and detailed specifications are then produced to communicate the full proposal to the builder. The realization stage involves using these final drawings to guide the actual construction of the building. Drawings are thus essential at every step for designing, planning, communicating, and building architectural structures.

1. Drawing
Creation
Communication
Record

2. Drawing as a way of exploring the world: a personal passion

3. Drawing as a way of exploring the world: a personal passion

4. Drawing as a way of exploring the world: a personal passion

5. Drawing as a way of exploring the world: a personal passion

6. Drawing as a way of exploring the world: a personal passion

7. All constructions are designed
• Buildings
don’t just
happen, they
are planned
in advance

8. Fundamentals of building design
• Design is creative, on completion there
is something new which did not exist
before
• Before anything exists, the architect has
to visualise ideas for three reasons
– As a creative tool for her/himself
– As a communication tool within the design
team
– As a communication tool with the client

9. The building design process
Conception RealisationDevelopment

10. Imagining
an idea
The building design process
Conception RealisationDevelopment

11. It all starts with a drawing

12. It all starts with a drawing
The Guggenheim
Museum, Bilbao
Frank Gehry

13. Conception: fooling around with drawings
• Sketch proposals
– Working to the initial brief, the designer will prepare sketch ideas.
These need to be, at some stage, comprehensible to the client.
– The brief will be revisited and revised many times during the
course of design development.
Initial sketches of
the IC extension to
the RAC Library

14. Conception: fooling around with drawings
• Sketch proposals
– Working to the initial brief, the designer will prepare sketch ideas.
These need to be, at some stage, comprehensible to the client.
– The brief will be revisited and revised many times during the
course of design development.
Initial sketches of
the IC extension to
the RAC Library

15. Conception: fooling around with drawings
• Sketch proposals
– Working to the initial brief, the designer will prepare sketch ideas.
These need to be, at some stage, comprehensible to the client.
– The brief will be revisited and revised many times during the
course of design development.
Initial sketches of
the IC extension to
the RAC Library

16. Conception: fooling around with drawings
• Sketch proposals
– Working to the initial brief, the designer will prepare sketch ideas.
These need to be, at some stage, comprehensible to the client.
– The brief will be revisited and revised many times during the
course of design development.
Initial sketches of
the IC extension to
the RAC Library

17. Development stage
Conception RealisationDevelopment
Alternative
ideas explored
to arrive at a
fully developed
solution

18. But what will it look like?

19. But what will it look like?

20. Developing the proposal
• The initial presentation must be made simple
and clear. 3-d sketches often help in clarity

21. Fully developed proposal
• Most clients do not understand building
plans. A model is often essential although
3-d rendering on computers can help.

22. Full working drawings of proposal
• The designer prepares contract drawings and
specifications, which tell the builder what he is to
build and the client, what she is to pay for
• These are general arrangement contract drawings for
the IC extension

23. Even the Guggenheim needed working drawings

24. Detail development
• The designer must tell the builder exactly how the building
is to be constructed, through use of detail drawings and
written specifications
This is a
working
drawing
through the
eaves of a
timber framed
building

25. 3-dimensional explorations

26. Specialised detail
• Unusual construction, such as this stone spiral
staircase, will have to be drawn in fine, large scale
detail if it is to be priced and built as desired.

27. Realisation stage
Conception RealisationDevelopment
The real building is
built. The detailed
drawings and
documents from the
development stage
are used to control
the whole process.

28. Realisation: the final reality
• Once the contract drawings have been
agreed and the contract placed, the builder
can start.

29. Contract drawings
Working drawings kept secure
from point of signing contract
as a record of what was
agreed

30. To understand drawings: get a sketchbook!!

31. To understand drawings: get a sketchbook!!