Project 1a
On-site sketching
The first assignment of the semester in Design Communication was to learn the basic in architecture, to be able to sketch. The task given to us was to produce 4 on-site sketches which consists of 2 outdoor and 2 indoor sketching to show exterior and interior spaces respectively. This practice is important to enable us to improve our observation skills and expression of space through our free-hand sketches.
For the outdoor sketches, i have chosen Taylor's University as one of my site. I have done a sketch of the commercial building looking from the amphitheater. I think this view highlights the relationship between solid and void well and has a variety of volume to it. In the other sketch, I decided to go with a two-storey terrace house in my housing area. I think the relationship between the terrace house and the environment is very interesting. How shadow changes on different surfaces and how things look different in size according to the distance makes me think more while sketching to take these things into consideration. While for the indoor sketches, I did them at home, in my parents' bedroom and my living room respectively. In my parents' bedroom, I have noticed things that I have not been able to before this. Different materials gives out different looks and requires different sketching techniques to show textures and rhythms. I have also learned to master the importance to put shadow at where it matters and to make dead objects seem alive by adding volume to it.
Throughout this assignment, I have learned to pay more attention to the details in a building, the texture, form, structure, material, shadow etc. To be able to produce good on-site sketches, I have to truly understand the construction of the building and how it reacts with the environment. One vital thing that i have learned from this task is to understand how important scale and proportion can be to make sketches look realistic and alive. I think I am able to communicate through my sketches more after completing this task, it also helps me to add more depth and meaning into my sketches.
Project 1b
Tonal values
In project 1b, we were required to produce another 4 sketches, but in this task, the attention should be put on the tonal values instead. We were to pick a picture that has interesting shape and texture. Based on the image, we have to produce 4 variations of a tonal value sketch. We were advised to vary the sketches in the hatching type and medium. Examples of hatching types include stippling, cross-hatching, one-directional and we can choose different mediums pen, pencil or charcoal. For this task, I have decided to go with a picture of a bunch of keys. In my opinion, the orientation of the keys gives out different tones of shadow and depth.
The hatching techniques that I have chosen for this task are hatching, cross-hatching, stippling and scribbling. Hatching and cross-hatching are techniques that I often use in my sketches so it did not seem too unfamiliar to me. However, stippling is a technique that requires plenty of work. I have come to know that different medium does give different feel to a sketch and it will affect the tonal values of a sketch. Scribbling is a technique that I hardly master in this task. After plenty of work, I did not seem to yet get hold of the right way to do scribbling, especially on solid objects like a bunch of keys, I will have to work harder on it in the near future. Anyway, I think I did improve my overall hatching skills and have a better understanding in the importance of tonal values.
Project 2a
Orthographic projections: plans, sections, elevations
Project 2a is the start of a very interesting project that I consider as my very first BIG project. In this first part of second project, I had to include sufficient evidence to show that I am competent in a range of architectural drafting skills. We were given images of a building in Spain, the Barcelona Pavilion. With the images given, we should produce a floor plan, front, back and both (left & right) side elevations, 2 cross-section views of the building showing floor and roof construction. To top it off, all these drawings have to be of a standard appropriate architectural scale of 1:100. This project can be done with pencil at first but has to be inked on appropriate tracing paper for submission. The reason that I call it an interesting project is because it is the beginning of a three-part project and also the beginning to my professional life as an architecture student as I learn to live with tools that will eventually be my partners in life. These tools include T-square, set square, scale ruler, technical pens, artline pens, butter paper, tracing paper, masking tape and oddly, shaving blades. This was a brand new experience for me, knowing that eraser is no longer the trusted tool to remove any error on a tracing paper. Shaving blade instead became its replacement.
To actually start this project, I had to do adequate research on the structure of Barcelona Pavilion and the materials used in it. I also need to get the measurements right to make sure that I do not make any error when drawing it. To draw Orthographic drawings of a building that I have not seen with my own eyes seemed difficult at first, but it proved to be a challenge worth taking as there are countless positives that I can take upon completing this assignment. I think that the ability to control line weights better now is the biggest gain for me in this project, it helps to show the distance of an object as compared to those around it. The types of line chosen speaks for themselves and enables people to understand the drawing with just a look of it. It was a fun and effective way to be introduced to the world of architecture and I benefited from it greatly.
Project 2b
Axonometric projection
Moving on to the second part of project two, we were to produce an Axonometric drawing of Barcelona Pavilion to the scale of 1:100. After having a good understanding of the structure of the building, I can finally do an Axonometric drawing that in my opinion is the most interesting way to showcase a building as it shows part of the interior and also exterior of a building. If well done, it can also show how a building is constructed and helps in visualizing spaces in the building. As compared to Orthographic drawings, Axonometric drawing required less work but it trained me to visualize a building better. By utilizing on the Orthographic drawings produced and other images, I had to project the building out to be able to show important features of the building. I think I did fairly fine for this project but still have to show more details on how the building is constructed.
Project 2c
Perspectives
To round of a three-part project, we were tasked to draw two perspective drawings. Firstly, we have to identify an external view of the building which is interesting. This view can be selected from existing drawing and/or photographs. Before starting project 2c, we were given a very helpful tutorial by Mr.Wan on how to produce one-point and two-point perspectives. After rounds of analysis and consideration, I have decided to do a two-point perspective of the exterior view of Barcelona Pavilion and a one-point perspective for the interior view.
I personally think that perspective drawings are the ones that will attract attention as it shows exactly what our eyes will see of a building. I have learned to draw three dimensional drawings to scale and I find it extremely satisfying. I also took note of how to place my picture plane, stationary point etc. while constructing perspectives. Overall, it felt good to be able to finish off my first BIG project and I think all the sleepless nights paid off the moment I see the result of it.
Project 1b
Tonal values
In project 1b, we were required to produce another 4 sketches, but in this task, the attention should be put on the tonal values instead. We were to pick a picture that has interesting shape and texture. Based on the image, we have to produce 4 variations of a tonal value sketch. We were advised to vary the sketches in the hatching type and medium. Examples of hatching types include stippling, cross-hatching, one-directional and we can choose different mediums pen, pencil or charcoal. For this task, I have decided to go with a picture of a bunch of keys. In my opinion, the orientation of the keys gives out different tones of shadow and depth.
The hatching techniques that I have chosen for this task are hatching, cross-hatching, stippling and scribbling. Hatching and cross-hatching are techniques that I often use in my sketches so it did not seem too unfamiliar to me. However, stippling is a technique that requires plenty of work. I have come to know that different medium does give different feel to a sketch and it will affect the tonal values of a sketch. Scribbling is a technique that I hardly master in this task. After plenty of work, I did not seem to yet get hold of the right way to do scribbling, especially on solid objects like a bunch of keys, I will have to work harder on it in the near future. Anyway, I think I did improve my overall hatching skills and have a better understanding in the importance of tonal values.
Project 2a
Orthographic projections: plans, sections, elevations
Project 2a is the start of a very interesting project that I consider as my very first BIG project. In this first part of second project, I had to include sufficient evidence to show that I am competent in a range of architectural drafting skills. We were given images of a building in Spain, the Barcelona Pavilion. With the images given, we should produce a floor plan, front, back and both (left & right) side elevations, 2 cross-section views of the building showing floor and roof construction. To top it off, all these drawings have to be of a standard appropriate architectural scale of 1:100. This project can be done with pencil at first but has to be inked on appropriate tracing paper for submission. The reason that I call it an interesting project is because it is the beginning of a three-part project and also the beginning to my professional life as an architecture student as I learn to live with tools that will eventually be my partners in life. These tools include T-square, set square, scale ruler, technical pens, artline pens, butter paper, tracing paper, masking tape and oddly, shaving blades. This was a brand new experience for me, knowing that eraser is no longer the trusted tool to remove any error on a tracing paper. Shaving blade instead became its replacement.
To actually start this project, I had to do adequate research on the structure of Barcelona Pavilion and the materials used in it. I also need to get the measurements right to make sure that I do not make any error when drawing it. To draw Orthographic drawings of a building that I have not seen with my own eyes seemed difficult at first, but it proved to be a challenge worth taking as there are countless positives that I can take upon completing this assignment. I think that the ability to control line weights better now is the biggest gain for me in this project, it helps to show the distance of an object as compared to those around it. The types of line chosen speaks for themselves and enables people to understand the drawing with just a look of it. It was a fun and effective way to be introduced to the world of architecture and I benefited from it greatly.
 |
| Orthographic Drawings of Barcelona Pavilion |
Project 2b
Axonometric projection
Moving on to the second part of project two, we were to produce an Axonometric drawing of Barcelona Pavilion to the scale of 1:100. After having a good understanding of the structure of the building, I can finally do an Axonometric drawing that in my opinion is the most interesting way to showcase a building as it shows part of the interior and also exterior of a building. If well done, it can also show how a building is constructed and helps in visualizing spaces in the building. As compared to Orthographic drawings, Axonometric drawing required less work but it trained me to visualize a building better. By utilizing on the Orthographic drawings produced and other images, I had to project the building out to be able to show important features of the building. I think I did fairly fine for this project but still have to show more details on how the building is constructed.
 |
| Axonometric Drawings of Barcelona Pavilion |
Project 2c
Perspectives
To round of a three-part project, we were tasked to draw two perspective drawings. Firstly, we have to identify an external view of the building which is interesting. This view can be selected from existing drawing and/or photographs. Before starting project 2c, we were given a very helpful tutorial by Mr.Wan on how to produce one-point and two-point perspectives. After rounds of analysis and consideration, I have decided to do a two-point perspective of the exterior view of Barcelona Pavilion and a one-point perspective for the interior view.
I personally think that perspective drawings are the ones that will attract attention as it shows exactly what our eyes will see of a building. I have learned to draw three dimensional drawings to scale and I find it extremely satisfying. I also took note of how to place my picture plane, stationary point etc. while constructing perspectives. Overall, it felt good to be able to finish off my first BIG project and I think all the sleepless nights paid off the moment I see the result of it.
 |
| Perspectives of Barcelona Pavilion |
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