Draw the line Soranart Sinuraibhan The University of Sheffield September 2002 An Approach to an Alternative Way of Architectural drawing

What it is about? Problems raised: Design drawings have undergone many changes and refinement brought about by various method. With the continuous developments of new mediation and technique, design drawings multiplied in number and in the quantity of information they contain. Architectural codes inside drawing become internalised and play out as private language that excludes non-architect. So the communication between architect and non-architect is currently a problematic issue. ArchitectDrawingNon-architect Aim: To investigate an alternative method of architectural drawing which could bridge the apparent gap in communication between architect and non-architect.

How can I answer the Problems? Communication theory An analysis based on a communication model and map onto architectural context. Historical approaches Trace the development of architectural design drawing and identifies the innate characteristic of it. Analyse through the discussion of communication situation. Empirical tests Two phases of empirical tests are conducted in order to examine relationship between architectural drawing and non-architect. The test will illustrate the perceived failure of communication process in architectural drawing. As the result, the outcome from the first test will use as a basis principle in order to develop the system of alternative method in architectural drawing and will employ as a model for the second phase.

How architect communicates to non-architect? Communication model: (Berlo, 1960: p.30) SenderMessageChannelReceiver Communication theory model: ‘Message’ Seeing ‘Communication source’ ‘Decoder’ Decode and response ‘Encoder’ Hearing Touching Smelling Tasting ‘Receiver’ ‘Channel’

How architect communicates to non-architect ? Communication model in architecture: Based on Berlo’s model ‘Architectural idea’ ‘Architect’ who employs codes into the drawing ‘Seeing’ ‘Reading’ ‘Listening’ ‘Architectural drawing’ ‘Non- architect’ ‘Architectural code’ Response

Jacobson’s Communication Model (Jakobson, 1958: p. 353) Context Message Addresser Addressee Contact Code The matter of personal characteristic Of Architect and Non-architect 1] Communication skill 2] Attitude 3] Knowledge Level 4] Position with in a social or professional system

The failure of communication Why is happen? Why is begin?

Why a communication has failed ? between architect and non-architect through architectural drawing Communication skill (Codification and Decodification) Architect: Encoding skill Non-architect Decoding skill

Attitude Attitude toward Self: It will be reflected in the drawing. Attitude toward Subject matter: Architect should know the information he conveys in his drawing. Attitude toward Addressee: The most important in communication situation between architect and non-architect.

Knowledge level : Related to Communication skill Architect: Architectural knowledge Encoding skill Non-architect: No architectural language Decoding skill Individual background Hieroglyphic and Symbolic language Hieroglyphic and Egyptian culture and codes as a decoder Designed object ViewerDrawingArchitect Direct link from architect to the designed object Communication model in Ancient Egypt

Social and professional status Architects from different position of professional status communicate and encode message differently. Non-architects from different social classes or background view and decode drawing differently.

Addresser Architect Message - Context A set of graphic code Channel - Contact Message is put through the channel of drawing as contact Addressee Non-architect Social and professional position Architect from different culture or experience communicates and encodes differently. Knowledge Knowledge level, Educational level and The culture of architect. Attitudes Architect’s attitude, subject matter, and non-architect. Communication skill Encoding skill Content Communication skill Decoding skill Knowledge Receiver has no architectural knowledge. It may need support from architect’s encoder in order to get a decoder. Attitudes Receiver is affected by architect ‘s attitude. But receiver’s attitude, subject matter, and knowledge may concern Social System and Cultural disposition Non-architect from different social classes or culture decode differently. The Fidelity of Communication Based on Berlo, 1960 Treatment Element Structure Code Seeing Hearing Touching Smelling Tasting

Empirical test Phase one

Drawings 1 1- Plan A: Coded language Plan B: Pictorial language Plan C: Three dimensions.

Data Frequency table: Gender of participant  Frequency table: Faculty of participant 

Part 1 Question 2: Which provides the clearest information about the relationship between rooms? Question 3: Which most clearly shows how to move from one room to another?

Part 2

Question 31 Q. 31: What will make you understand architectural drawing better? 1.Have no difficulty understanding the drawing, clearly understand. 2.The combination of various techniques of drawing, such as plan A+B+C. 3.Three-dimensional drawing. 4.More context given and More details. 5.Furniture arrangement or incorporation of familiar things to appropriated scale. 6.Elevation and section. 7.Scale and measurement or Scale bar. 8.List of what symbols mean and clear labelling. 9.Different types of drawing (of the same space). 10.A drawing with a photograph. 11.Model or something easier to understand and visualise where drawings are simply easier to measure from. 12.Appropriated information within a drawing, too much information can overwhelm a person. 13.Direction of ‘North’ or orientation arrow. 14.No more artistic impressions 15.Superimpose a drawing into real picture 16.Colour, shading, and texture 17.Numerical dimensions

18To show a view from eye level, since that is how most people look at rooms 19Electronic versions enabling switching between views or use of colour. 20Virtual reality or fly through animation. 21Human figure for scale 22Cartoon 23.Depend on what want to know. 24.Lager print 25.Ask an architect. 26.Do architectural degree. 27.Experience and training, to have more knowledge about drawing plans and symbols used. Question 31

Postscript Hopefully the alternative method of architectural drawing from the study will be useful for: Architect: Increase his skill of encoding which will provide the fidelity of communication situation between his client and himself. Non-architect:Give non-architects an opportunity to understand architect drawing better. Bridge an apparent gap between them and architect which will leads to a better communicated. Education:Employ as a guidance for architectural student or teacher, to improve the way in which they convey the drawing to the public realm.