The Death of Drawing ─ Architecture in the Age of Simulation

"The Death of Drawing explains how the shift from drawing by to hand to using building information models (BIM) is happening and the effect of this on how architects think and work. Author David Scheer helps you recognize that architectural drawings exist to represent construction and architectural simulations (BIM) exist to anticipate building performance. The values implicit in drawing - patience, care, attention to detail, knowledge of composition, appreciation of well-made things - which architects used to gain through years of drawing practice, don't apply to simulation, so Scheer discusses how losing this vital learning tool might affect your work and and the field of architecture. He also explains that simulation requires you to cast building information in the form of data, which means less of a distinction between designers and constructors, and, based on this, how your interactions with and relevance to clients and collaborators might impact your practice. Finally he reflects on this moment of profound transformation, to remember what drawing has meant to architecture so that you can anticipate what may follow"--

David Ross scheer has taught architectural design, history, and theory at several schools of architecture around the U.S. and has lectured and written extensively on building simulation technologies. He is a longstanding member of the advisory group of the AIA Technology in Architectural Practice Knowledge Community and was its Chair in 2012

ARCHITECTURE THEORY / ARCHITECTURE HISTORY

Cover image: Wesley Taylor, sketch of the "Spirit Bell" (2008). Part of a competition entry for the Contrabands & Freedmen's Cemetery Memorial

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