Sketching Is Our Favourite Architectural Tool

Drawing is still basically the same as it has been since prehistoric times. It brings together man and the world. It lives through magic. - Keith Haring

Architecture is the art and practice of designing, the transition between the thought process and the execution of an architect’s conception is complex and a multilevel process. It is an established fact that the course of the thoughts cannot be facilely implemented therefore sketching as a tool becomes a necessity and a utility rather than a choice. So, in this article, we will be elaborating and inferring the well-known fact that sketching is our favorite tool as an architect.

DESIGN AS A PROCESS

We, as architects can easily agree to the fact that that designing is a complicated process. The final output is a result of various levels of complex interventions. Sketching as a tool aids this process and facilitates a smooth transition between the thoughts, a whole series of roller coaster rides a design goes through and the output. Concept sketching is a great technique for brainstorming ideas and collaborating with team members as well as clients as it refines the whole wire framing process.

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FREEDOM

Sketching on paper gives one the freedom to consider every idea without the fear of making a technical mistake which is imperative in the design development process. Sketching is a repeated process and should be used as a tool without focusing on perfection; rather on the shaping of the intention of the deliberation which will wind up creating not only the most work but the best work.

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A MEDIUM BETWEEN PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

Sketching helps evaluate the feasibility of features and eliminate layout and functionality issue which is why it is a perfect instrument to bridge the distance between problem and solution. We all are aware how difficult can it be to deal with a designers block and break from it; sketching can easily be accessed as the key to breaking from it.

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BEST WAY TO EXPLAIN TO CLIENT

Sketching is an effective medium to express one's interpretation of the clients brief to the client. It is a well-defined approach to make the client understand the design output; the technical drawings are difficult for a layman to understand.

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TIMESAVER AND EASE

Sketching is one channel that everybody understands with ease and therefore is an excellent tool because of its universality. The biggest appeal of sketching is that it’s a skill one can acquire with ease; it doesn’t need perfection as it’s for understanding and design development rather than presentation. Sketching can be done anywhere and anytime; so when a designer conceives any thought, he can easily outline it. The time constraint is huge while preparing technical output for design ideas; sketching eliminates this restraint as it is the quickest way to give form to the conception of the design.