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Does an architect lose credibility if s/he can't draw? Yes, I would not hire an architect who couldn't draw.  42%  [ 6 ] Somewhat, I would prefer if an architect could draw, but I would still be willing to work with him/her.  21%  [ 3 ] Neutral.  0%  [ 0 ] Somewhat not, drawing would only become an issue if something was wrong with the computer rendered drawing.  0%  [ 0 ] No, as long as an architect can deliver me a building, I don't care if s/he can draw.  35%  [ 5 ] Total Votes : 14
Author	Message
3six0architecture Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Providence, RI	Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:26 pm    Post subject: Poll: Does an architect lose credibility if s/he can't draw? Prince Charles recently slammed architects who can't draw while commenting on architects' over reliance on technology. What is your opinion? View related poll on our blog: http://3six0architecture.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/to-draw-or-not-to-draw/.
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csintexas millennium club Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 2174 Location: USA	Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:51 pm    Post subject: You will mostly get architects and designers opinions here but the poll is oriented toward the consumer. These two groups may have different opinions. _________________ -Chris Stewart http://bcshdb.blogspot.com > The B/CS Home Design Blog
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3six0architecture Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Providence, RI	Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 3:53 pm    Post subject: Thank you for the helpful tip on posting. I'll keep that in mind.
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lekizz millennium club Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 1212 Location: UK	Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 6:35 am    Post subject: It can be easy to forget that the vast majority of the public have very little drawing talent. So whatever the architect's skill, it is usually better than that of the other participants in the project. Architectural education teaches you (amongst many, many other things) how to identify the salient points of a design and often a simple diagram or sketch illustrates the point very well. The problem with computer drawings is that they can immediately give the impression to a client of an accurately designed, measured and scalable project, when sometimes at the start of the project you need to discuss and agree on general, broad strategy and requirements. I think a pen or pencil is essential at the early stage. All that being said, I spent the last few years in the middle of large projects when CAD drawing was an essential and valuable skill. Horses for courses, as they say!
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RSCarcht Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 114 Location: USA: RI, CT, NY, MA, FL	Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:29 pm    Post subject: Drawing is the manual part of the process of seeing. Seeing is the visual part of the process of thinking. A lack of drawing talent would indicate to me a potnetial weakness in the other more important areas. _________________ Ross Sinclair Cann, AIA APA http://www.a4arch.com
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innova+e Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 63 Location: lisbon	Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:43 pm    Post subject: Quote: The problem with computer drawings is that they can immediately give the impression to a client of an accurately designed, measured and scalable project, when sometimes at the start of the project you need to discuss and agree on I am so on board with the comment lekizz so eloquently put forth, and would like to say that I think it's an amazing feat when one understands, based on this comment, that the evolutionary process of design has not been merely replaced by the ability to move fast and fabulously by the stroke of a mouse and keyboard. This is a common misconception as many think that that cad is the designer rather than the tool of such. The ability to sketch is subjective in it's acceptance, but the purpose is to communicate an idea. Who among us is the judge of good sketching? Indeed many of my colleagues would not win artistic contests by 'coloring within the lines', yet they could convey ideas that would give rise to cities, and just may. I wonder how well Prince Charles draws... I didnt think you could be a king without a crown. As a "westerner" the concept comes off as less than fairytale. perhaps his father has the answer to this one, and the heat might then be taken off us archs. and our drawing abilité!
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Landy Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 462	Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:01 am    Post subject: Hey Mr. Gehry don't worry you wont lose credibility, ha! No I don't think that drawing makes more or less of an architect, who has seen Vitruvius sketching? or Le Corbusier? drawing is just another ingredient in the recipe. by the way can someone figure out the meaning of this: "Drawing is the manual part of the process of seeing"
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csintexas millennium club Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 2174 Location: USA	Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:32 am    Post subject: Well it sounds like many modern architects have proven you don't have to draw well to be successful. But prince Charles may not like the work of these people and so drawing ability may be a good indicator for his aesthetic sense-abilities. _________________ -Chris Stewart http://bcshdb.blogspot.com > The B/CS Home Design Blog
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djswan millennium club Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Montana, USA	Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:19 am    Post subject: Draw Tippy the Turtle or a Pirate and win the chance to become an architect? draw: to cause to move continuously toward or after a force applied in advance. Can't build if you can't draw. _________________ n/a
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Landy Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 462	Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:26 am    Post subject: so....hmmm...., who (draws/sketch/draft/stencil/render/3dmodel/manages the project/planning/contract documents/spec's/meeting/cost estimates) for Frank O. Gehry? hmmm.....ma' and pa' told me once that architects draw buildings and if Gehry doesn't draw why does he get all the credit? Last edited by Landy on Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:52 am; edited 2 times in total
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djswan millennium club Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Montana, USA	Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:38 am    Post subject: I'm on my way to making it big time, with my kids help. _________________ n/a Last edited by djswan on Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:41 am; edited 1 time in total
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Landy Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 462	Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:41 am    Post subject: that looks like Gehry material to me sell it to em' so we can see it in the Architectural Record next month next to a picture of Gehry
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djswan millennium club Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Montana, USA	Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:00 pm    Post subject: Landy wrote: so....hmmm...., who (draws/sketch/draft/stencil/render/3dmodel) for Frank O. Gehry? hmmm.....ma' and pa' told me once that architects draw buildings and if Gehry doesn't draw why does he get all the credit? My folks told me the same thing. The understanding that the architect is the force drawing together the building, I would assume on Gehry's behalf. Draw is a big word. _________________ n/a
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Arc1tectronic Joined: 12 Jan 2009 Posts: 18	Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:34 am    Post subject: Bauhaus Walter Gropius the Bauhaus Professor and architect of Bauhaus college buildings couldnt draw. He was a pioneer in modern design and went on during ww2 to teach architecture in the States. You cant argue that he was not a brilliant architect and formulated his ideas through words. Sorry but that for me is conclusive proof that an architect need not be able to draw. What do you think of Walter Gropius' finished building? As for prince charlie he probably thinks Picasso cant draw.
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solidred Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 728 Location: Scotland	Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:47 pm    Post subject: Presumably, the client is after a building, not a drawing. However, in order to assist the client in defining what they really want and in order to assist the client in raising funds or pre-selling units (office space, dwellings etc.) and in gaining planning permission, images of the proposal are necessary. These days, this is largely done with computers. To get appropriately good computer images, one has to have a decent visual sense. But is it necessary for an architect to be able to sketch wee perspectives on napkins at a client breakfast meeting? I would have thought this skill useful, but not essential if other means of getting the project delivered can be deployed.
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