The Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings

The practical, comprehensive handbook for creating effective architectural drawings
In one beautifully illustrated volume, The Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings, Fourth Edition presents the complete range of skills, concepts, principles, and applications that are needed to create a full set of architectural working drawings. Chapters proceed logically through each stage of development, beginning with site and floor plans and progressing to building sections, elevations, and additional drawings.
Inside, you'll find:
Coverage of the latest BIM technologies
Environmental and human design considerations
Supplemental step-by-step instructions for complex chapters
Five case studies, including two that are new to this edition
Hundreds of computer-generated drawings and photographs, including BIM models, three-dimensional models, and full-size buildings shown in virtual space
Checklists similar to those used in architectural offices
Tips and strategies for complete development of construction documents, from schematic design to construction administration
With an emphasis on sustainability throughout, this new edition of The Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings is an invaluable book for students in architecture, construction, engineering, interior design, and environmental design programs, as well as professionals in these fields.

One of the most important characteristic for a photographer, in my opinion, is the capacity to see a photo before pressing the shutter, before even framing the scene. When I started going around London with my camera I felt frustrated, as I was not able to see interesting things and those I saw I was not able to capture in time. For a long time I attributed this to the fact that I was not “gifted” with the “photographer’s eye”: I was wrong. There are people who have this attention to details as an innate capacity, but for everyone else exercise and practice can fill the gap! So if someone tells you that you do not possess the eye a photographer must have, don’t listen, but take your camera and go out shooting: if photography were an exclusive of the “naturals”, we would not have seen so many fantastic and iconic images. “The devil is in the details” is a quote from V for Vendetta, if I am not mistaken, and it summarise the truth behind the “photographic eye”. We are snowed under a tons of visual information while we are out and around, and we generally avoid noticing all those details who are not important enough. I believe we do so because we are lazy, because our culture made of TV and computers wants us to eat pre-digested details and because there are so many details that our culture do not require us to pay attention to all of them. I was exactly like this: I did not notice a particular pair of shoes, or something someone was wearing because I thought it would have been to complex to keep everything in mind (a sort of “Buffer Overflow” for the geeks like me out there). I was wrong! Our mind is fantastic and is able to see and analyse an incredible number of details and whilst in the day to day life this may help giving a better flavour of life, in the photographic world this is the difference between a snapshot and a great photo. The details are the difference between the photo of a nice woman and the one of an interesting one. Giving time, this attention to detail will start unconsciously shout in your mind “Bring the camera to your eye. NOW!” Believe me, there are times when I feel the urge to frame something particular, without a conscious reason. Many times I have dismissed this feeling, losing too many great moments. Our subconscious, if trained enough, will be able to direct you before things actually happen. You can call this sixth sense, photographer’s eye or simply great attention to human patterns and details, but the really important thing from a photographic perspective is that you start learning to trust your senses and, given enough time, you are able to capture great images. There are few things thought, that you have to do in order to gain this degree of skill. - You have to look around. Even when you do not have a camera you have to notice things, details, actions and moments. - You have to be confident. If you see something interesting, worth documenting you need to take the photo. Every time you do not press the shutter the moment is gone. - You have to TRUST your senses. In the beginning you will feel stupid (“Why should I frame THAT bloke?”… just to realise too late he was going to do something REALLY interesting) and many times, especially in the first periods, this sixth sense will fail, but you need to give it time to develop. - Have a camera always with you! …and always remember… Practice makes perfect!

Morning guys! Happy Friday! So the weather has been absolutely delightful the past few days, almost 30 degrees yesterday and there was me, stuck inside for six hours of lectures... joy! Can't complain, it was the first proper day i'd had and they were actually pretty interesting! First lecture was about our first project which is pretty much designing an architectural garment which sounds fun, very hands on! Second was a lecture on humanities in which we were learning about architectural history and in particular greek architecture and the columns and temples. Finally, and the hottest one, we had a technology and materials talk on timber which was probably the most interesting as the lecturer was very inspired and lively. Off to the library this morning and then heading back south this afternoon so I can work the Sat and Sun and finish my contract. I'll then come up on Sunday eve. Looking forward to my own bed and mums cooking! This shot was taken just outside Manchester Piccadilly train station where I went today to check platforms and times yesterday. It was another lovely sky and I thought these two buildings worked well in contrast to each other, edgy and sharp to smooth and slippery. Enjoy your Fridays all! Hit 'L'