Sketches of a City: Architecture Notes
As I wander through the city, I find myself drawn to the lines, shapes, and textures that make up the built environment. The way a building meets the ground, the curve of a staircase, or the pattern of bricks on a façade – each of these elements tells a story about the people who designed and built the space.
Note 1: The Beauty of Brutalism
I find myself particularly drawn to the brutalist buildings that dot the cityscape. Their raw, concrete exteriors seem to exude a sense of honesty and functionality, as if they're saying, "This is what we have, and this is what we're working with." The way the concrete seems to sag and slump under its own weight, creating a sense of dynamic movement, is both captivating and unsettling.
Note 2: The Power of Proportion
As I walk through the city's older neighborhoods, I notice the way the proportions of the buildings seem to have been carefully considered. The ratio of window to wall, the balance of solids and voids, and the relationship between the building's base, middle, and top all seem to work together to create a sense of harmony and balance. It's as if the architects who designed these buildings were aware that the proportions would be seen and felt by the people who lived and worked within them. architecture notes
Note 3: The Importance of Context
One of the things that strikes me about the city's architecture is the way it's always in conversation with its surroundings. A building may respond to the adjacent structure, the street it's on, or the broader urban landscape. I notice how some buildings seem to turn their backs on the street, creating a sense of separation and exclusivity, while others engage with the sidewalk, drawing people in with their transparency and openness.
Note 4: The Fragmentation of Form
As I look out over the city, I see a landscape of fragments – bits and pieces of buildings, streets, and parks that have been cobbled together over time. I notice how some areas seem to be characterized by a dominant form or style, while others appear to be a mix of different architectural languages. This fragmentation can create a sense of visual dissonance, but it also speaks to the city's constant evolution and reinvention.
Note 5: The Impermanence of Architecture Sketches of a City: Architecture Notes As I
As I walk through the city, I'm reminded that architecture is not a fixed or permanent entity. Buildings are constantly being built, renovated, and torn down, and the city is always in a state of flux. This impermanence can be both melancholy and liberating – a reminder that our creations are temporary, but also that we have the power to shape and reshape our surroundings.
These notes are just a starting point, a way of observing and engaging with the built environment. As I continue to explore the city, I'm sure I'll have many more observations to add – and I'm excited to see where this journey takes me.
The debate between paper and pixels is fierce in architectural circles. The truth is, you need both.
A great architecture note follows a specific syntax. Without structure, notes become noise. Here is the standard framework used by top-tier firms (Gensler, Foster + Partners, BIG):
Pro Tip for Students: Use the "C-S-I" method in your studio notes. Analog vs
In professional practice, no architecture note carries more weight than the Redline.
A redline is a correction or change marked directly on a set of issued-for-construction drawings. It is the final conversation between the architect and the contractor before concrete is poured.
Rules of Redlining:
Why this matters: If a building fails and you cannot produce redline notes showing you corrected the error, you lose your license (and your insurance).