The discriminatory eye encouraged through sketching has value to the potential designer ... for it engages the observer in an important dialogue.
Brian Edwards

Introduction

Perspective drawing permits the designer to record in a single view the three-dimensional spatial qualities of the environment. The attention given to edge, form, proportion and detail during the act of drawing sharpens the designer's visual and spatial perception. Perspective drawing is a fundamental skill for the analysis of existing environments, and for the conception and communication of new ones.

Objectives

• To introduce the principles of one-point perspective
• To promote the conception of space as a palpable entity and understand its definition.
• To develop an ability to observe and record architectural phenomena.

Project

You will continue to record your assigned space through direct field observation, now by drawing it in one-point perspective. Pay particular attention to the way in which the space is defined and articulated. The same questions that were asked in Exercise 1a still apply.

Procedure

Select a position in the assigned space which allows you to bring out the character of the space in a one-point perspective drawing. Determine the location of the horizon line and the vanishing point on your sheet of paper. Follow the instructions of your studio teacher and the descriptions in Ching's Architectural Graphics in developing the drawing. Initially, lay out all lines very lightly, including the necessary guidelines. Apply line hierarchy only when the drawing is completely laid out. Carefully craft the pencil lines to increase the legibility of the drawings: all lines should be crisp and black.

Requirements

• One-point perspective drawing, pencil on white paper

Evaluation Criteria

• Relative accuracy of proportional relationships among components
• Care in execution of drawing: application of line weights, crispness and blackness of lines

Reading

• Ching, Frank. Architectural Graphics, third ed. Chs. 3 and 6,
  pages 54 - 71, and 151 - 157.
• Ching, Frank. Architecture: Form, Space, and Order, second ed. Ch. 2 Form,
  pages 33 -89.

Schedule

To be announced by your instructor.