To grasp space, to know how to see it, is the key to the understanding of building.
Bruno Zevi

Introduction

The act of drawing is an important starting point for these explorations. Drawing allows the designer to record and to analyze existing environments, and drawing provides a good method of giving form and expression to one's thoughts and discoveries.

Objectives

• To begin skill development of line quality in freehand drawing
• To introduce basic conventions for plan, section and elevation drawings
• To introduce basic design vocabulary
• To introduce the principles of spatial definition: types of enclosure, degrees of enclosure

Project

The upcoming series of problems will involve the observation, documentation and analysis of an existing space on campus. The primary objective of this initial exercise is to develop an awareness of spatial characteristics and qualities. In order to prepare for this exercise you should visit the space indicated by your instructor. Make notations of your observations on your sketch pad.

Some questions to consider:

• How is the space defined?
• What exactly are the space-defining elements?
• Out of which materials are these elements made?
• How do the space-defining elements relate to one another?
• How is spatial hierarchy established?
• What is the relationship between main space and sub-spaces?
• What are the proportions of the overall space and of sub-spaces?
• How is light brought into the space?
• How does the space relate to the context of both the building and the campus?

Procedure

On your sketch pad you should record your observations about the space. Recognize that the emphasis of this exercise lies on documenting the qualities of the interior SPACE rather than recording the elements which define this space. Do not merely draw a "picture" of the assigned space, but try to describe it in as objective a way as you can with freehand drawings, including plan, longitudinal and transverse sections, and elevations.

You will not use a measuring tape to gather precise information of the space. Instead, you will walk the space and use your body as a measuring tool. Consequently, none of your drawings will be exactly "to scale". Rather, by carefully observing the proportional relationship of the space-defining elements to one another, you should develop the drawings to represent the space as accurately as possible. Dimensional relationships of plan, section and elevation drawings should be recognized.

Requirements

• Freehand plan, transverse section/elevation and longitudinal section/elevation
• All drawings will be pencil on white paper

Evaluation Criteria

• Recognition of space-defining edges in plan and section
• Relative accuracy of proportional relationships among components in plan and sections
• Ability to indicate three-dimensional qualities of space in plan
• Ability to indicate the shape of space in section
• Accuracy of drawings/quality of observation
• Care in execution of drawings: application of hierarchy, crispness and blackness of lines

Reading

• Ching, Frank. Architecture: Form Space and Order, second ed. Ch. 1 Pages 1 -31, esp. 16, 23, 29 (plan drawings), and pages 23, 29, 31 (sections).
• Ching, Frank. Architectural Graphics, third ed. Chs. 2, 3 and 7,
  pages 11 - 44; 164 - 175.
• Zevi, Bruno. Architecture as Space. Chapters 2 and 3 (handout)

Spaces for Study

• Hempler Gallery, in the Beach Museum of Art
• Danforth Chapel
• Entry Hall, Hale Library
• Reading Room, Hale Library
• Atrium, 3rd Floor Seaton Hall
• Study Hall, third floor of Calvin Hall

Schedule

To be announced by your instructor.