The architectural drawings of the masters continue to draw high prices at auctions -- even charity auctions on eBay. Their sketches, as inspirations, have artistic value, or collector's value, as limited luxury goods.
In this way, architectural sketches have become like realistic art, luxury watches, printed books, newspapers, hand made pottery, baked bread or more controversially, fine violins. They've reached a "perfection paradox" where the early goals have been so perfectly realized with the help of technology that, in order to survive, the rationale and economics need to transform fundamentally.
Hand sketches aren't necessary to the new generation of architects. Some architects think with drafting software. They imagine and translate directly into digital form. Pencil and paper are entirely optional.
Graves waxes nostalgic for the human spontaneity and creativity of hand drawings:
As I work with my computer-savvy students and staff today, I notice that something is lost when they draw only on the computer. It is analogous to hearing the words of a novel read aloud, when reading them on paper allows us to daydream a little, to make associations beyond the literal sentences on the page. Similarly, drawing by hand stimulates the imagination and allows us to speculate about ideas, a good sign that we’re truly alive.Likewise, first-cut architectural models can now be created using 3D printers. The meticulous craft of model-building, which employed fresh graduates as they began their mentorship in a guild-like profession, has to some real extent already vanished, and the trend is likely to continue.
When I meet practicing architects today, and I tell them that I once studied architecture, but that I changed majors, many of immediately tell me I made the right choice. I can see in their eyes the alternate history taking shape, as they imagine they had chosen differently. Would they be earning more money? Have more secure employment? Be happier? Work shorter hours?
And yet they love architecture. As I still do. Even as architectural drawing and model building constitute an ever smaller part of the practice.
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Architecture is a second career choice for me. In school I hand drew and made models, now my days are almost completely computer-based. Almost. It is still necessary to be able to sketch to solve problems or answer questions at client meetings, design team meetings, and in the field during construction. With iPad's and other tablets, hand-sketching may soon also become obsolete, but in my experience, not quite yet.
ReplyDeleteI think 'nostalgia' is the perfect word for it. For those not yet fully versed in the capabilities of 3d softwares, perhaps they are limited in their ability to use computer software to fully explore their conceptual ideas. But for those fully versed in the capabilities of the 3d softwares, I see no limit. And in fact, the software is a better tool to convey design ideas to the client, who may have trouble translating a 2d view to a 3d vision of their space.
Do I wish I had stayed with my first career choice? Sometimes, when I think how I'd be making more money and maybe have more free time if I did. But then I remember the thrill of going to construction sites as the vision takes shape to reality. And of walking through when it's done, with a client who appreciate all you have helped provide for them. Then I think, no way I'd rather be doing anything different.
Computers have eliminated most of the tedious work of architectual drawing. Not only is it easier to draw dimensional details and repetitive design elements, but the software can compute structural forces and provide complete bills of materials and cost estimates. Extensive libraries of basic shapes and objects also makes it possible to drop in stock items such as brick, wallboard, windows, doors, trim, appliances and fixtures.
ReplyDeleteYes computers have replaced allot of the original purpose of hand drawings especially working drawings that aren't representational and needs to be precise, its also made it easy to change and correct things on your designs, but when it comes to representational drawings a computer drawing will never be able to recreate the feel, emotion, and atmosphere of a hand drawing. Its like the difference between listening to music on your computer or seeing the live performance, the cd will never replace the live performance. All computer drawings start with hand drawings.
ReplyDeleteTechnology has brought more changes in the last decade than many of us have seen in a lifetime. With that, architecture drafting, now an output of CAD, has evolved from being a hand-crafted art to a machinated mass produced commodity. Nice post!
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Nice post and happy to see the computer's architectural drawing.!!
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I don't think total computer designs can accurately develop models for round columns as much as human architects would, though.
ReplyDeleteTechnology innovation really outshines in its perfect time. Before, only blueprinting can be done digitally, but nowadays, a lot of software serves as computer aid in architectural projects. Despite this advantage on how it brought convenient work for architectural businesses, many would still prefer the traditional way of handmade architectural drawings.
ReplyDeleteI design retail buildings and using computers helped me a lot in designing my work. A lot of errors are minimized and the use of pen and paper is now out of the equation making designing more economical.
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