Lately I've been following a considerable number of online exchanges concerning the decline of some traditional abilities of architects. The 2 skills most often mentioned are the standard of drafting since the appearance of CAD software, and the hand sketching ability of architects. Part of the discussions center around whether the incorporation of the new computer rendering has degraded the ability of the new generation of architects.
On that same theme, though I can't say I have seen it discussed anywhere, is what's happened to the art of making realistic renderings. It was that many large offices would have on staff an architect whose single task was to render projects in the offices. Usually they would be handed a point of view sketch of the project, and then they would render the perspective in colored marker, or watercolor, or even simply a more accurate pen and ink drawing. When I was in school, I had classes in all those systems, and my last studio projects were rendered in one of those three media.
Now we have computer software which should take our projects and produce just about photo realistic renderings of out projects. At first, this was a laborious process of translating 2 dimensional CAD drawings into 3-D models, applying materials, adding lighting effects, and then render. Now with the increased acceptance of BIM for design, and stronger hard and software, the time it requires to generate an easy rendering has decreased.
The question becomes what is happening to the art of the architectural rendering? Is this an art that's going away? Have we see the last of the great architectural delineators like Hugh Ferriss ? Especially since software like SketchUp and Piranesi can generate what looks to be hand drawn or watercolor renderings in almost real time. Even software like Photoshop can frequently be used to take a traditional hand drawn sketch and add artistic effects in less time than it took for those dedicated artists.
Some of this pressure is driven by the technology, and some of it really is coming from our clients, who have been seeing this sort of computer rendering sorcery during childhood. From the very first Pixar animated film to the sort of digital film making of today. The idea that we will be able to create believable images to realize our visions, has become a part of what's anticipated from architects and designers.
While the toolbox full of markers and water colors starts to get dusty, our new digital tools are just growing up. But just like with any tool, it's the person holding the tool that makes the most difference. Determining the keenest tool and the best practices for using those tools is what websites like UsersUnite are for.
About the Author:
Authored by John F. Benware, Jr, AIA who is an Industry Director - Architecture, Design & Construction for UsersUnite. John writes a blog that 1 the issues and stories related to the Architecture and Design Industry. If you have a subject that you'd like to see John write about please send him a mail with the details at john.benwareusersunite.com.
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