Architecture
What is it?
Architecture is the design of a construction or building. Not all buildings are designed by architects, there are also draughts people, builders and engineers who can help design a building. So what is different about an architect? An architect creates a concept. They consider how the building will function, how people will use and interact with the building, but they also try to communicate an idea and to create an experience for the audience.
Take the SAMHRI building as an example. The function of this building is to hold a health research facility. However, as you can see the architect did not come up with a boring solution. Instead they have come up with an intriguing design that uses light and wind to it's advantage.
Architecture is the design of a construction or building. Not all buildings are designed by architects, there are also draughts people, builders and engineers who can help design a building. So what is different about an architect? An architect creates a concept. They consider how the building will function, how people will use and interact with the building, but they also try to communicate an idea and to create an experience for the audience.
Take the SAMHRI building as an example. The function of this building is to hold a health research facility. However, as you can see the architect did not come up with a boring solution. Instead they have come up with an intriguing design that uses light and wind to it's advantage.
What does an architect do?
- Meet with clients
- Research
- Prepare budgets
- Draw designs
- Understand environmental factors such as wind and solar
- Consider space and how people use it
- Solve problems
- Work with other professionals such as engineers
- Understand legal requirements
- And more
The video below goes into a lot of detail and it's ok if you don't understand it all. Pay attention to the designs he is showing you and the types of activities that an architect undertakes.
How do you become an architect?
Architecture is generally a University pathway, it is a good idea to understand design and construction processes to better prepare you for this pathway.
Architecture is generally a University pathway, it is a good idea to understand design and construction processes to better prepare you for this pathway.
Examples of famous architectural buildings:
Task 1: Architecture Poster
Poster must include:
- Heading with name of the architectural period or architect
- Dates
- Why did this period of architecture come about? In other words, how did it evolve from other architectural periods?
- What are the stylistic features of this period? Eg. Harsh geometric forms, or inspired by organic shapes, etc.
- Include images of architectural buildings from your period or architect
- Label images with architects name, name of the building, location, year built
- Provide a bibliography on the back of your poster with all of your sources
List of architectural periods:
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List of architects:
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Task 2: Drawing like an Architect
Before you can start designing your own buildings there is a lot to learn. One thing to learn is how to draw buildings that appear three dimensional. You will be learning how to draw in two point perspective.
This first exercise is to help you learn the basics of two point perspective.
This first exercise is to help you learn the basics of two point perspective.
The Three Boxes:
The first drawing you will undertake is fairly simple. By drawing three boxes at different levels to the horizon line you will learn the basics of two point perspective drawing.
Box 1: Below the horizon line a hollow box made of wood.
Box 2: On the horizon line, or at eye level, made of bricks
Box 3: Above the horizon line, made of glass
Box 1: Below the horizon line a hollow box made of wood.
Box 2: On the horizon line, or at eye level, made of bricks
Box 3: Above the horizon line, made of glass
Once you have all of your box outlines, the next step is to add the texture of wood panels to box 1 and bricks for box 2. The glass box can be left the way it is.
Start with box 2 as the texture is more straight forward:
Start with box 2 as the texture is more straight forward:
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Two point perspective building:
For the modern house drawing, use the video below and the step by step instructions attached as a PDF on Daymap to help you.