Drawing Architecture: Conversations on Contemporary Practice

This book explores contemporary architectural drawing practices through discussions between architects, critics, and curators. It emphasizes the agency of drawing as a site of emergence and imagination, featuring key drawings and edited transcripts of discussions. The drawings are in dialogue with one another, creating a distinctive publication and valuable resource for thinking about architectural drawing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2022
Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd

This captivating book delves into, examines, and showcases diverse practices of contemporary architectural drawing, drawing its foundation from a series of engaging meetings between a cohort of architects, critics, and curators. These participants, including renowned figures such as Laura Allen, Bryan Cantley, Nat Chard, Peter Cook, Mark Dorrian, Riet Eeckhout, Adrian Hawker, Perry Kulper, CJ Lim, Shaun Murray, Mark Smout, Neil Spiller, Natalija Subotincic, Michael Webb, Mark West, and Michael Young, gathered to explore and discuss contemporary drawing practices and production in their own work and research.

Beyond the traditional confines of architectural drawing, the group delved into the realm of its agency as a catalyst for emergence and imagination. Organized around specific topics and contextualized by insightful essays by Nat Chard, Mark Dorrian, Riet Eeckhout, Michael Young, Thomas-Bernard Kenniff, and Carole Levesque, the book presents a captivating selection of exquisite and thought-provoking key drawings by the various contributors. These drawings engage in dialogue with one another, while their authors themselves participate in an extended conversation, creating a double aspect that distinguishes this publication as a unique and enduring resource for contemplating architectural drawing.

The participants in these meetings focused their discussions on drawings or drawing-related artefacts, serving as the focal point for their dialogues. They explored the multifaceted roles of drawings in architectural practice, examining their representational functions, their potential for creativity, and their ability to convey ideas and concepts. The group considered the ways in which drawings can serve as sites of emergence, where new ideas and perspectives can germinate, and as tools for imagination, enabling architects to envision and explore alternative designs and possibilities.

Through their discussions, the participants shed light on the diverse approaches and techniques employed in contemporary architectural drawing. They discussed the use of digital tools, the integration of multimedia elements, and the exploration of unconventional materials and processes. They also explored the relationship between drawing and other forms of artistic expression, such as photography, video, and installation, recognizing the potential for cross-disciplinary collaboration and the blurring of boundaries between different artistic disciplines.

Moreover, the group delved into the ethical and social dimensions of architectural drawing. They discussed the importance of representation, accuracy, and transparency in architectural drawings, as well as the challenges associated with capturing the complexity and nuances of architectural spaces. They also explored the role of drawings in shaping public perception, influencing architectural design decisions, and contributing to the cultural and historical significance of buildings.

In conclusion, this book serves as a profound exploration of contemporary architectural drawing, offering a rich tapestry of practices, perspectives, and discussions. Through its engaging content and thoughtful presentation, it provides valuable insights into the evolving nature of architectural drawing and its role in shaping the built environment. Whether you are an architect, critic, or art enthusiast, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the power and potential of architectural drawing in the modern world.

Dimension: 260 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781848226203