Architecture Student Chronicles

Approach to Architectural Drawing

October 29, 2011 by Architect

Introduction to the Approach to Architectural Drawing

We are beginning with a new tab on “Architectural Drawing”. We will cover a wide range of topics regarding Architectural Drawing which will help Architecture and Engineering students to achieve excellence in Drawing.

Let’s begin with our lessons on Architectural Drawing.

Art in the past was an intellectual, scientific and poetic discipline. Draftsmanship was of primary importance, though drawing has been playing a service role to painting, sculpture and architecture.

Contemporary art/Architecture has to return to classical roots for redefinition for standards and precepts. Follow that route and you will learn soon enough.

The importance of spending months on the fundamentals of drawing may not be obvious immediately. Repetition unavoidably is the key. Repeated acts of seeing, selecting, and thinking through the physical marking on paper are indispensable to growth.

Reading about Architecture or talking about drawing will not do what pencil in hand will do. Drawing takes repeated effort. But at the outset, a great deal of technical discipline/drawing etiquette must usually come before creative leaps.

Distractions to be avoided

Feel blocked/frustrated
Copying – Need to develop comprehension beyond copying.
Do not latch on the flashy techniques too early in your career – You may lose a great deal of integrity and individualism in expression.

Principles of Green Architecture and Sustainability

October 29, 2011 by Architect

Green Buildings and Infrastructure

“Green Buildings for creating a Green environment” is what I would say. Generally, the term “Green Buildings” is understood in a wrong way. As in, the people have a wrong understanding about the term “Green Buildings”. Green Buildings does not just imply on creating huge lawns and making the building look green in colour.

CII, Hyderabad (Example of a Green Building in India)

It is all about making the environment green and create a healthy atmosphere inside the living space which also has an impact on the outside surroundings.

Vegetation, Landscaping is definitely a part of Green Building Design but that is not all which would make the building green.

In this article, we are going to discuss the goals of Green Buildings or rather I should say the “Principles of Green Buildings”.

If we are successful in achieving these principles, we will definitely be able to successfully design not just “A green Building” but also create a Green environment.

Earlier we discussed, various Passive and Active features of Green Building Design. Passive Features form an indispensible part of Green Building Design. That is the most primary and important step to be achieved in order to create a sustainable and Green environment.

Le Corbusier’s Modernist Chandigarh City Planning

December 21, 2013October 29, 2011 by Architect

Le Corbusier is a Legendary Architect. He is the trendsetter of the Modern Architecture. He designed various different types of structures where he has proved his uniqueness in design.

He designed residences, offices, villas, structures such as Parliament building, high courts etc. Each of his designs are very much different from one another. Every building of his talks about his unique character and the purpose it is made for. Even today, his designs are considered modern and Legendary.

In 1950, India’s Prime Minister Jawharlal Nehru invited Le Corbusier to India to design a city, Chandigarh.

Evolution of Architectural Styles | History of Architecture

October 11, 2011October 6, 2011 by Architect

World Architectural Styles

Earlier we discussed the following Architectural Styles:

Egyptian Architecture (3000BC – 100AD)

West Asiatic Architecture (2500BC – 600BC)

Indian Architecture (500BC to present day)

Chinese Architecture (3^rd century BC to the present day)

Japanese Architecture (6^th century AD to the present day)

Greek Architecture (650BC to 30BC)

Let us now move on with a brief discussion on Roman Architecture, Early Christian Architecture and Byzantine Architecture…

Roman Architecture (300BC to 365AD) (Preceded by Etruscans)

Certain aspects in Roman Architecture were influenced by the Greek Architectural style. Romans did take a few aspects from Greek Architecture but invented a totally different architectural styles.

Etruscans were preceded by Romans. Romans were indebted to the Etruscans for supplying them with knowledge on Structural systems. Etruscans had immense knowledge of Hydraulics and construction of arches.

Later on, with the development of newer and better materials, Roman Architecture took a new form.

The population of Rome was increasing which forced the designers of Rome to figure out new architectural solutions to cope with the growing problem. They constructed vaults and arches and had sound knowledge of building materials which helped them achieve great success in the construction of huge structures for general public use.

Roman Aqueducts are a very popular example of Roman engineering marvel. There were eleven aqueducts in the Rome itself. They were built over a period of 500 years. This is how the saying “Rome was not built in a day” is internationally popular.

Aqueduct of Segovia is one of the most significant and best preserved ancient monuments.