Sketches and Hybrid Drawings - Caleb Generoso

Caleb Eathan

Generoso

Architecture by Hand - A Collection of Manual and Hybrid Drawings

The hand is an undeniably powerful tool in architecture.

Drawings are used to gather an understanding, not just between people, but an understanding of space between architecture and an observer. While some believe a natural ability to draw is needed to create beautiful images, drawing as a strong tool for understanding and designing is developed through practice, and a memorable and strong understanding of space can be achieved regardless of the aesthetic or “realness” of a simple sketch.

With any combination of basic techniques such as measuring via the pencil and “felt” measure - measure done through

the tracking of eyes across the subject and simultaneously translating that to line on paper - one can begin to grasp proportions and spatial relationships in a way that can easily be missed in the documentation of a place by a simple photograph.

With different techniques, even understandings of light, depth, materiality, and the relationship between occupant and space can be obtained. Through multiple iterations, easily overlooked relationships and underlying ideas surface, eventually turning observation to understanding and possibly inspiration.

Sketching - a method in understanding

In order to understand buildings that already exist but for one reason or another can not be experienced first hand, existing drawings or images can be broken down and redrawn with analytical intent. This can uncover various methods of executing key ideas behind a design. In this case we can break down the Salk Institute by Louis Kahn to its most important conceptual

foundations. Spatial organization and stacking reveal not only the notion of serve and servant spaces but also the relationship and dynamic between labs, studies, and administrative spaces. Beyond this, symmetry and the axial canal reflect the precision of science and the inspiration that drives it while a clear space encourages collaboration between parties.

Hand Drafting - a method in analysis

Hybrid drawing is a method of drawing which utilizes both manual drawing and digital drawing. When prototyping quick ideas, this methodology allows both for rapid prototyping and the creation of clear drawings for the communication

of those ideas. It also leaves room for refinement.

This project is a small proposal for a flitch-cut cypress lumber cladding for a home comprised of shipping containers located in central Florida.

Hybrid Drawing - a combination of hand and digital techniques

With a combination of sketching, hand drafting, and digital drawing, architecture can be designed with a great deal of understanding and a strong conceptual foundation. In the process of making, it is important to be versed in numerous tools and methods, as each one has both its strengths and weaknesses.

Multiple iterations through different methods aid in both refining and developing ideas from concept to construction.

This particular project, a culinary school in Charleston, South Carolina, was done through a combination of hand and computer tools throughout the entire process. Sketches provided quick iterations of various possibilities and ideas which could then be brought into the computer for modeling. These models were then refined by hand with overlayed sketches. This process reciprocated until eventually final drawings could be made.

Hybrid Drawing - designing through sketching, drafting, and digital techniques