Tenth International Conference on The Image

Abstract

Long established as the key means of communication within the Architectural Studio, drawing is not only a key means of communication. It also serves as a means of thinking, exploring and generating new understandings. Speculative image making is not a new phenomenon within the Architectural Studio; however, its re-emergence in recent years has been marred by accusations that these drawings are created purely as graphic exercises rather than offering meaningful contributions to the development of critical thinking so essential to the evolution of a design project. Within a Diegetic Studio, these drawings are essential in that they offer their creator the opportunity to express tacit knowledge explicitly. This brings into providing a student the opportunity to simultaneously engage in the subjective act of creation and the objective act of narration. Creating and developing new ideas that are both intuitive and considered and which allow the project to react to serendipity and objectives that frame it. This paper critically reflects on such drawing practices in the work of Studio C, and explores an emergent typology within these drawings, dubbed Schema.