Introduction

Over time, the architecture drawing has evolved from hand-created beautiful design visualizations to computer-assisted hyperreal design renderings. Both have their place within the architectural design process, and both take some skill to get right. Yet, one must ask: What is the role of the architecture drawing in today's 21st-century world? With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and ever more sophisticated architectural design visualization tools, how does the simple yet beautiful architecture drawing created by an architect (not by AI) evolve to find its own place within the design workflow of a spectacular building project? And should it?

A New Understanding from Drawing Architecture

When creating an architectural drawing, one must consider the spectrum of how it will be created. Will you create the drawing without any computer assistance? With computer rendering assistance? Or will you allow the AI to create it for you with some instruction or prompting? Has the architectural drawing become less popular? Has it become too time-consuming to create during architectural project phases? Or will architectural drawings made by hand (without computer intervention) find a renewed place of importance within the architectural design process? All of these latter questions remain unanswered at this time. However, it can be stated that when one draws an architectural thought or idea by hand, it is understood and seen in a different way as compared to the understanding obtained by creating computerized drawings. The hand-eye connection that simultaneously works with the brain to create new ideas for the architectural design of space is paramount. And this is missing from computer-assisted drawing methods. In essence, it seems that hand-drawn architectural thought should be practiced in ways that help to push the envelope of what architectural design can become, both for a given project and for the architectural design profession as a whole. 

Drawing Insight Beyond the Computer

One may think of the architecture drawing as being subpar to computer-assisted or computer-generated drawing techniques. Yet, one must ask: What if hand-drawn architecture could become even more "sophisticated" than its computerized rival? And what if its computerized rival became an ally—not competing with a handmade sketch but instead furthering its discoveries? By unlocking new architectural ideas through architectural drawings that are hand-created, it becomes possible to study not only the architecture as a form, but it also becomes possible to study and refine your architectural thought process itself. Thus, the architecture drawing gives one the opportunity to step outside of two systems: (1) the computer system of drawing tools and (2) the routine design workflow process one uses to create new building designs. In other words, by creating hand-crafted architectural drawings, it becomes possible to see yourself as an architect in ways that doing only computer-generated drawings will not show. An architecture drawing may reflect the following:

• You may ask yourself: How do I 'see' light that cascades upon the form of my architectural design? And how does this inform the building materials I select? By not always having a computer interpret how light falls upon a built form, you allow your own thought process to evolve as you consider what "light" should look like upon your architectural form. Thus, the hand-crafted architecture drawing allows you to design nature, physics, and built form anew, as seen through only your eyes and delivered by only your hand.

• You may ideate: How can I design as I sketch in ways that push this built form to be more, as it transcends its shape, material, and position to become a true architectural beauty that touches the soul through its function and meaning? Perhaps by adding an unexpected mark, line, shade, or even color to your architectural drawing, you are bending reality (in a way the computer would not think to do) so you can "think through" your design solution in more innovative ways that allow you to see both new solutions and new opportunities. 

The Architecture Drawing in the 21st Century

Yes, the architecture drawing allows one to see beyond systems and tools that drive today's most robust and complex architectural design projects, but how can these hand-drawn sketches serve 21st-century design in new ways? And how can the architecture drawing contribute to the architectural design process in ways that benefit the project design, to help architects solve for project limitations while also pushing for profound innovation? 

By drawing architecture without a computer, it becomes possible to see Sensory Design Zones more creatively and more clearly. Sensory Design Zones are vital parts of an architectural design where environmental stimuli work together to create truly transformational moments for building occupants. It's not only about seeing such Sensory Design Zones within your building project to create a "beautiful image" of what they might look like. It's also about finding these Sensory Design Zones within your architectural design ideas so you can see your architecture through a "cinematic lens". You see, Sensory Design Zone architecture drawings allow you to location-jump, perhaps creating "unreal" but very revealing spatial relationships between building features like transitions, rooms, connections, or even interactive events. In this way, hand-drawn architectural sketches provide a unique method for seeing relationships between architectural parts that a computer cannot easily see due to its high-logic functionality. For example, to see the relationship between a building's structural elements and its surrounding environment, a hand-drawn sketch can provide a more intuitive understanding.

Conclusion

In essence, the use of traditional architectural sketches allows architectural practitioners to make some smarter design decisions in ways the computer does not. Similarly, computer-assisted architecture drawings allow architects to see building designs in some ways that hand-drawings do not, by perhaps providing a more accurate and precise representation of the final building. Thus, the two types of architecture drawings must coexist—not by ignoring each other through rivalry, but by collaborating with each other through teamwork. The architecture drawing made by hand can help an architect "see" their project through their own thought processes, while the architecture drawing made with a computer can help architects "see" their project through a more realistic lens. This is why the hand sketch is vital. It is critical that one see deeply into their own design intention before handing (or prompting) a computer to translate that initial vision. So keep drawing architecture—using the drawing methods that help you "see" best for the given questions you are trying to answer through the drawing.