History & Criticism - Architecture, Individual Architects & Buildings, Construction & Building Trades, Construction & Building Trades, General & Miscellaneous Architecture

Why Architects Draw

Name: Why Architects Draw
Author: Edward Robbins
ISBN: 9780262680981

by Edward Robbins

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Overview

For nearly twenty years Edward Robbins, an anthropologist, has been studying and writing about the system of architectural education and practice in the United States and abroad. In this book he examines the social uses of architectural drawing: how drawing acts to direct both the conception and the production of architecture; how it helps architects set an agenda, define what is important about a design, and communicate with their colleagues and clients; and how it embodies claims about the architect's role, status, and authority.

The centerpiece of Robbins's provocative investigation consists of case study narratives based on interviews with nine architects, a developer-architect, and an architectural engineer. The narratives are illustrated by the architects' drawings from projects in Japan, England, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the United States, from conception through realization. Included are orthographic and axonometric projections, perspectives, elevations, plans, sections, working drawings, sketches, schematics, construction, and finished drawings.

Drawings and interviews with:

Edward Cullinan, Spencer de Grey, Jorge Silvetti, Renzo Piano, Alvaro Siza, John Young, Itsuko Hasegawa, William Pedersen, Rafael Moneo, Rod Hackney, Peter Rice.

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Robbins, anthropologist and lecturer in urban design at Harvard U., presents drawings from and interviews with 11 architectural firms, focusing throughout on the way in which architects draw to define themselves, their ideas, and their authority and status in society. Introductory and concluding essays provide historical background on the social uses of drawing and a critical assessment of architects' power and responsibilities in contemporary society. Beautifully produced, with 140 b&w illustrations, in a 12x9" horizontal format with hard boards and metal comb binding. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)