2. UNIT I INTRODUCTION TO DIAGRAMS IN ARCHITECTURE
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Introduction to idea of diagrams and models as basic representation
of reality and thought. Historical evolution of diagrams and models in
architecture with key examples from the past to the present, illustrating
how attributes are identified and diagrammed for study and for design.
Compiled by Ar. Nithyapriya S./Asst. Prof/KSA
3. What is a diagram?
Diagrams represent ideas in visual form.
They are two-dimensional (although they
can show three-dimensional objects) and
may contain text, shapes and lines; the
word diagram literally means ‘marked out
by lines’ in Greek. They have existed for
thousands of years, though of course they
have become more sophisticated over
time.
Compiled by Ar. Nithyapriya S./Asst. Prof/KSA
4. Today we use three main types of diagram.
Quantitative diagrams (such as bar graphs and
pie charts) illustrate data sets, and tend to be the
first ones we encounter in school.
Conceptual diagrams (like flowcharts and Venn
diagrams) show relationships between items
Schematic diagrams (like exploded diagrams and
subway maps) are best described as simplified,
abstracted pictures.
Architectural diagrams tend either to be
conceptual or schematic.
Compiled by Ar. Nithyapriya S./Asst. Prof/KSA
5. What is an architectural diagram?
Architectural diagrams help to clarify a building,
relationships between elements of a building, or a
process connected to a building. They have no unified
appearance but they distil unwieldy, hard-to-
understand concepts into discrete, easy-to-understand
images.
They do this with visual symbols which can be
considered all at once, unlike language which must be
processed in a linear fashion. The architectural theorist
Robert Somol has suggested that diagrams ‘operate
precisely between the form and the word’ – which is
perhaps why they are so useful for communicating
ideas to clients during the building design
process.
Compiled by Ar. Nithyapriya S./Asst. Prof/KSA
6. Compiled by Ar. Nithyapriya S./Asst. Prof/KSA
What is the purpose of architectural diagrams?
Architectural diagrams can be said to have different
functions depending on when and how they are
used. In the early stages of the design process, they
are often used to aid thinking and help architects to
solve problems.
As a project progresses, they might be used to
clarify what is required and as a source of reference
for different parties. Throughout and after the design
process, architectural diagrams are used to
communicate ideas – to colleagues, to clients, and
to members of the public.
7. Compiled by Ar. Nithyapriya S./Asst. Prof/KSA
Fraser Shields suggests that the ‘open,
generative’ nature of diagrams ‘frees the
designing process from formal considerations
for as long as possible’. In other words,
diagrams can act as temporary place-markers
while we work, which is less restrictive and
time-consuming than making formalized plans
and drawings.
Diagrams also have the advantage of being
able to show different types of information
within one image.
8. Compiled by Ar. Nithyapriya S./Asst. Prof/KSA
How are architectural diagrams used?
The main use of architectural diagrams is to help us
analyze what we need to do in order to create an
effective building or space. For example, architects
may create a series of ‘bubble diagrams’ (which could
further be described as planimetric, contextual,
generative…) to experiment with the relationship
between different spaces in a building.
Or they may sketch sight lines to test what will be
visible from where. This is a much more intuitive and
enjoyable process for most people than calculating
and recalculating dimensions numerically.
9. Another use of architectural diagrams, as mentioned
above, is that they can serve as temporary place-
markers that allow a project to move forward. There
may be times when precise details are not yet known
or necessary, but a diagram allows work to continue
with information being added later.
The diagram may be worked up to a formal
architectural drawing as the project progresses.
And a final, perhaps self-evident use of architectural
diagrams is to communicate our thinking to a client or
to members of the public. Sometimes, a picture really
is worth a thousand words.
