New York University

Gallatin Arts Workshop – K40.1621

Prof. Donna Goodman AIA
Spring Semester, 2011

Architectural Design and Drawing

The creative process differs for each individual. Thomas Jefferson searched for a
philosophical approach that would express the goals of the emerging American democracy.
Greene and Greene were influenced by the British Arts and Crafts movement and the techniques
of traditional Japanese architecture. Le Corbusier’s work was based on the ideas of modernism,
cubism, and the grid. Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs were inspired by an understanding of the
site, local materials, and organic forms.

In recent decades, the development of media and computers has inspired the projects of Jean
Nouvel and Rem Koolhaus. Michael Graves has been intrigued with the classical buildings of the
Renaissance. Minimalism and recycling have provided themes for the paper tube concepts of
Shigiru Ban. William McDonough has focused on green architecture and environmental systems.

Though the artistic source of inspiration differs for each designer; there are certain basic
steps that most architects take in the early stages of a project. They include an analysis of the
project or problem, a study of the site and cultural context of the proposed design, and research
on historical models, alternative technologies, and other relevant information.

In this class, students are introduced to the major steps in the design process through an
analysis of a house by a famous architect. The project begins with discussions of the basic
concept or parti of a design and the historical and environmental context in which various
projects were built. Students create diagrams on function, circulation, spatial organization, site
planning, and materials and details.

Environmental concepts, such as indoor and outdoor space, and planning concepts, such as
public and private space, and service and served space are also analyzed, as well as geometrical
concepts, structural systems, and ordering systems, such as axis, symmetry, hierarchy, and
massing. The project is presented in the form of a sketchbook. In developing the analysis, the
class is introduced to a basic vocabulary of design terms, taught how to read architectural plans,
and create architectural drawings. Through in-depth studies of specific architects, students are
also exposed to issues of history and theory in their projects, as well as in the presentations of
projects by other members of the class.

In the second project, students create their own designs for a loft space in New York or a
house in the country. This project emphasizes the experience of creating a design by applying the
theoretical issues examined in the house analysis. Each student begins with a concept or a parti
that serves as a basis for their work. The parti leads to diagrams, architectural plans, site
drawings, three dimensional images, and choices in materials and furnishings.
 Issues of sustainability are discussed at each stage of design development, including the site
of the project, arrangement of rooms, locations of windows, roof functions, and choices of
materials and furniture. As the project progresses, the class is also introduced to techniques of
creating perspective drawings, isometric drawings, architectural models, and computer images.
In the final presentation, students also include information on the parti, historical references and
construction techniques, as well as diagrams of function, circulation, spatial organization, and
sustainable systems.

Required Reading :

Ching, Francis, Architecture: Form, Space, and Order

Weston, Richard, Key Buildings of the Twentieth Century

Recommended References

Canizares, Ana G., Lofts DesignSource

Ching, Francis, Interior Design Illustrated
Clark, Roger H. and Pause, Michael, Precedents in Architecture
Dean, Angela, Green by Design
Field, Marcus, and Irving, Mark, Lofts
Frampton, Kenneth, and Larkin, David, American Masterworks
Fuad-Luke, Alastair, Eco Design: the Sourcebook
Gissen, David, ed., Big and Green
Molnar, Felicia Eisenberg, Lofts: New Designs for Urban Living
Stang, Alanna, and Hawthorne, Christopher, The Green House

Materials: Available at Blick Art Store, Pearl Paint, or most large art supply stores

12” roll of inexpensive white tracing paper (20 yds. or 50 yds.)

24” T-square, metal is better than wood or a Parallel Ruler
House plan and Plumbing Template – Pickett 1150i or equivalent
Inexpensive Lead or Pencil Sharpener
Drafting Board (and board cover, if needed)
Design and Layout Kit or the following tools:

Lead holder and 2 Leads (H or 2H) or Pencils with H or 2H leads

Pencil Eraser and Ink Eraser
12” Architectural Scale (triangular) or a Ruler (in inches)
2 Triangles (30,60, 90 degrees and 45 degrees)

Ink Drawing Materials: 11” x 17” mylar sheets, about 6 sheets (cut from 2 larger sheets)
technical pens, #0, #000, inexpensive pens, could also get #2

Optional Materials: drafting brush, adjustable triangle, additional templates, erasing shield

Criteria for Grading: Grades will be based on the following criteria:

 class participation in discussions
depth of analysis of design issues
expression of concept
design development
quality of visual presentations
quality of written and verbal presentations
individual improvement throughout the semester

Architectural Design and Drawing: Outline of Topics

1. First Week: Introduction to the Basic Issues of Design

a. Topics: Introduction to the process of creating a house, site planning and sustainable design
b. Slide Lecture: Important Houses in the 20th Century Architecture, Other Historical Models
c. Film: Frank Lloyd Wright Fallingwater: Conversation with Edgar Kaufmann, Jr.
d. Reading: Read about the architect and project you’ve chosen for the first assignment
e. Assignment: Begin the Analysis Project

Choose a house by an architect on the list and make copies of the plans, sections, elevations,
and site plan of the house. Reduce or enlarge plans so they fit on an 11” x 17” sheet.
Read additional information on the architect and history of the house to prepare a short
presentation of the background of the project. Buy the tools, materials and text for the class.
Trace the main plan of the house on an 11” x 17” sheet of paper. Do not label the drawing.

2. Second Week: Identifying the Main Concept or Parti of a Project

a. Topics: Developing a parti or design concept and expressing the parti throughout the design
b. Student Presentations: Each student will present a brief introduction to their project.
c. Film: Sequence from Charles Rennie Mackintosh: A Modern Man
d. Reading: Read about the architect and project you’ve chosen for the first assignment
e. Assignment: Developing a set of Basic Plans

Trace the additional floor plans and site plan of the building on 11” x 17” sheets of paper. Do
not label drawings. Identify the the main concept or parti of the project.

3. Third Week: Spatial Organization

a. Topics: Introduction to basic elements of design: program, circulation, spatial organization

b. Slide Lecture: Spatial Organizations: centralized, linear, radial, cluster, and the grid
c. Film: Sequence from First Person Singular: I.M. Pei
d. Reading: Ching, pp. 183-238
e. Assignment: Developing a Set of Basic Plans

Trace one elevation and one section of the house on 11” x 17” paper. Choose an elevation that
shows an important view of the building. Do not label the drawings at this time.
4. Fourth Week: Rendering and Form Studies

a. Topics: Developing a parti or design concept and expressing the parti throughout the design
b. Student Presentations: Each student will explain the basic planning of the house
c. Film: Sequence from Sketches of Frank Gehry
d. Reading: Ching, pp. 34-81.
e. Assignment: Developing a set of Basic Plans

Choose a photograph that shows the concept of the building. Create a rendering of the house
based on class discussion. Experiment with a few drawing styles before choosing technique.
5. Fifth Week: Diagrammatic Studies: Circulation

a. Topics: Analyzing aspects of the house to understand the process of design development
b. Slide Lecture: Ordering Systems in Design
c. Film: Modern Living (on Michael Graves’ design of Graves House)
The Colonial Era (on Thomas Jefferson’s design of Monticello)
d. Reading: Ching, 239-291.
e. Assignment: Reduce your drawings and create diagrams of the project as discussed in class.
The following diagrammatic images should be included:

Parti and Design Concept

Site Development, Arrival, and Entry
Circulation and Movement Patterns
Function and Program Development
Geometry and Massing
Structure and Enclosure
Indoor and Outdoor Space
Public and Private Space or Service and Served Space
Materials, Details, and Structural Concepts
Historical and Social Concepts
Ordering Systems, such as Symmetry, Hierarchy, and Axis
Spatial Organization, such as Linear, Centralized, Radial, Cluster, or the Grid

6. Sixth Week: Integrating Research, Diagrammatic Studies, and Ordering Systems

a. Lecture: Various approaches to design of public & private space, circulation, structure, site
b. Slide Lecture: Chairs, expressing parti in furniture elements
c. Film: In Search of Clarity: The Architecture of Gwathmey Siegel
d. Reading: Ching, 338-406.
e. Assignment: Complete the diagrams. Label the drawings as discussed in class. Develop the
final presentation of the booklet as discussed in class.

7. Seventh Week: Program Writing and Initial Research for a Design Project

a. Student Presentations: Final presentations of first assignment

 b. Slide Lecture: Introduction to the new project, New York City loft buildings
c. Film: Sequence from Adaptive Reuse in the Netherlands
d. Reading: Weston, 10-19.
e. Assignment: Develop a concept of the client and basic program for the project. Create a set
of preliminary plans based on discussion. Draw two versions, if necessary.

8. Eighth Week: Space Planning and Basic Issues of Sustainable Design

a. Discussion: Creating the spaces and circulation in a floor plan; Issues in sustainable design
b. Slide Lecture: Eco-Products
c. Film: The Next Industrial Revolution
d. Reading: Weston, 90-97.

e. Assignment: Continue developing floor plan, based on critique. Make certain the hallways,
doors, and walls are properly sized. Begin selecting materials and furnishings.
Make copies of a few images or create a computer file of your selections.

9. Ninth Week: Isometric Drawing and Selection of Sustainable Furnishings

a. Discussion: Selection of sustainable materials and furnishings; Interior isometric drawing

b. Slide Lecture: Sustainable Buildings
c. Film: Affordable Green Housing
d. Reading: Weston, 34-35, 78-79, 82-83, 88-89, 170-171, 134-137
e. Assignment: Create an isometric drawing, based on class discussion. Continue looking for
sustainable furnishings. Make copies of appropriate furniture and products.

10. Tenth Week: Project Analysis and Use of Alternative Materials

a. Student Presentations: Presentations of preliminary designs and isometric drawings

b. Discussion: Architectural drawing systems
c. Film: My Architect
d. Reading: Weston, 132-133, 138-139, 148-149, 156-167, 168-169, 126-127
e. Assignment: Redevelop drawings as discussed in presentation.

11. Eleventh Week: Perspective Drawing vs. Computer Images

a. Discussion: Introduction to perspective drawing, computer images and architectural models

b. Slide Lecture: Design development, integrating materials and furnishings with parti
c. Film: Gray to Green
d. Reading: Weston, 136-137, 142-143, 184-185, 198-199, 208-209, 216-219
e. Assignment: Experiment with digital images; develop a perspective, by hand or computer

12. Twelfth Week: Innovative Technologies, Sustainable Design

a. Discussion: Modernism
b. Guest Speaker from the Buckminster Fuller Institute, and/or Eames film
 d. Reading: Weston, 58-67, 180-181
d. Assignment: Write an introduction on the Site, Client, and Program. Complete diagrams on
Parti and Historical References, Function, Spatial Organization, Materials and
Details

13. Thirteenth Week: Completing a Final Presentation

a. Discussion: Presentation of Final Project

b. Film: The Architecture of Renzo Piano
c. Reading: Weston, 222-233
d. Assignment: Complete the drawings and prepare for the final presentation.

14. Fourteenth Week: Final Presentations

a. Discussion: Presentation of Final Project

b. Film: from New York: A Documentary Film, on the building of the Empire State Building