Our Section On Sections | Dying Art of Architecture Drawings?

[@Fatlou_]

I remember back in uni, some tutors asked me “show me your sections” after I talked about my concept bla bla. But all they wanted to see was a site section and 1-2 building sections. I didn’t learn to value the importance of sections until later in my studies. Sections are quite story telling and very straight forward to read. It also shows how the building communicates with the weather and the outside context more than plans - in my opinions anyway.

[@Archimarathon]

I think you learn even more after Uni if you are able to reflect on it

[@efeoz8131]

Atelier bow wow's sections are my absolute favs, love how they add that 3D depth to them which almost combines a section and a plan.

[@Archimarathon]

As mentioned twice in the comments already, they are sectional perspectives and they are not the same thing. They limit you to fixed point in space instead of “god-mode”. Check the discussion I had with Gaby Bordino

[@romanmamus]

That comparison of the Renzo Piano section with and without people is so striking. A ton of great things to think about here.. Definitely going to focus a lot more on sections in my studio projects

[@Archimarathon]

I cut out so much (again). One of things I do is to have a few scaled figures (1:50, 1:100, 1:200 and even an almost microscopic 1:500) in a little drug bag. I whip it out and place the relevant scale even on a plan and that transforms your understanding of the size of the spaces you are drawing, even at a sketch level.

[@romanmamus]

@@Archimarathon That is an amazing tip thank you!!

[@Archimarathon]

Glad you noticed that part. It’s almost blink and you’ll miss it

[@optimaforever]

I totally agree that sections are the emotive section of architecture :D The vertical axis (ground->sky) always has been the sacred dimension, and that explains why some architects tend to focus on staircases which translate this z axis movement the most. My teachers used to tell us to conceive a project in section rather than in plan, and I remember drawing my projects only through sectional perspectives and it sometimes sufficed to understand the building. The pantheon for instance can only be understood in section. Of course I love the excellent work of Atelier Bow Wow but there's the nice Manual of Section book by Paul Lewis too

[@299meena]

Was feeling very burnt out and uninspired two days before my presentation and this video brought back the excitement and love I felt for my project! I cranked out some really fun and detailed sections thanks to your insights! Thank you so much! Sincerely, a struggling architecture student.

[@Archimarathon]

Glad to hear.

[@13minutestomidnight]

Oh, THAT’s how sections work. …Or are supposed to work. I’ve looked at a lot of sections and so many was like “wtf even is this??” but the good ones you showed here, even I understood them intuitively (except that serpentine building thing… all of it just confused the hell out of me, plans and everything). Of course, I may just be reading some sections sideways or something. The only section that I totally got immediately was the cross-sections of the human body. Was just like “yes, something familiar!” That example helped me so much, so (belatedly) thankyou for including that. Always use anatomical analogies if possible 👍

[@jesssmith2064]

Cheers guys. Bout to do my renders on sections. 1st year student 😅

[@ArchitectMo]

Never look at it from this prospctive thank you for sharing.

[@driftlane9497]

How cool was that living-sequence section of the Belafonte in The Life Aquatic! I once saw an exhibition of Rem Koolhaas models in section replete with human figures, only then did I finally warm to the tyranny of scale in his work. Same too with a Hundertwasser exhibition, where the figures gave groundedness to the muesli of his wild imaginations. And my book on Situationist architectural drawings is one of my favourite art books. I love that you celebrate the emotional warmth in sectional drawings, to me it's where the art lies, the humanity of a built environment, and the soulsubstance.

[@danielwong9608]

Loved the focus on how section delivers the humanity of space... the hand drawn sections present a character and intent that is just so engaging. Great work guys!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks Daniel.

[@MrPelikan500]

1:55 ... Plans are Rational/ *Sections are Emotive* ... (one aspect that maybe viewed with regards to "Prospect & Refuge" ... A Pattern Language attribute ...) thanks for this lesson ... sad to say Sections weren't taught with this very clear Emotive attribute ... it's clearly as explained here ;-)

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks again for your contemplative comments

[@asishkmathew759]

Wow. Nice session on sections... Hyped to see these sections with life.

[@Archimarathon]

Brings a whole new dimension and fun to the drawing.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

A big reason sections are dying out is BIM. These went from one of the most integral drawings to a design/construction exploration, changed to an afterthought given the model 'generates' the section now. Glad to see you began here but expanded the discussion a long way from here. Personally sections are my favourite drawing, 3d sections to be specific. Cutaway axo details are usually on a lot of drawing sheets I put together, and definitely tell the most about a drawing in the least amount of views/drawings. Great video and discussion!

[@Archimarathon]

Yes the difference just representation with thinking and storytelling.

[@SaltedEggChild]

This really brings in a lot of fresh perspectives to draw section and design with sections. Please share more, I m sure your audience will grow bigger soon. Fundamental contents.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes we do have a playlist of Design Fundamentals. I am not sure our answers are what people are necessarily looking for though. The inconvenient and painful truths

[@SaltedEggChild]

@@Archimarathon if it's not for the mass, the few who were enlightened will be truly blessed. Words will spread.

[@Archimarathon]

Please spread the word

[@itsmejoel9709]

Finally I always start with a section and then go into Plan felt like I’m the only one check out the manual of sections great book great sections

[@jesse6845]

New viewer and subscriber here. Great topic too. Per your question at the end, two of my favorite studies on sections are OMA’s Tres Grande Bibliotheque and Enrique Miralles study of the Croissant. Two projects which I highly recommended for any architectural student and practicing architect to study. OMA’s project is about the void, which is highly studied in section by making the typical negative floating spaces the inhabited spaces. I recall when I was in school, I was told that Rem thought of the processional section through the project as an extension of the Paris’ Metro system within the building. Not sure if true, but look it up on SMLXL and see the drawings for yourself. Enrique Miralles’s Croissant study is a very poetic essay on the power of the section. Leaving the reader to further understand that no matter how many times you cut and draw the croissant in effort to understand it’s supple, soft and curvature form, one could truly never understand how it tastes.

[@Archimarathon]

Welcome. Yes those are both classics.

[@pangle235]

This is a great video. Haven't drawn up a section in a while. Feeling inspired. I've always liked to add people in my sections but the amount of time i have been berated at uni for putting people in my sections was definitely a confusion.

[@Archimarathon]

I think you should design with section and not just draw it up. Also don’t think you are just putting people there, i would go so far as to draw the people first and think about the spaces around them

[@pangle235]

@@Archimarathon I haven't approached it this way before but I am very keen to. Thank you for the video~

[@hypertectonics7009]

Richard Rogers Partners also makes incredible sections very similar to Renzo Piano, showing a story of space, people, light, structure, and systems. Not surprising considering their common history. As for perspective sections, Paul Rudolph has superb examples.

[@zhangyuqi9604]

So inspiring, and it makes perfect sense and is fun to watch.

[@aall1920]

very helpful when my tutor asked me to show the “designed” section drawing and I come cross this inspired video

[@Archimarathon]

Good to hear. Please share it with your peers

[@gabybordino6024]

Great episode! I really like sections. I think they are better than plans to understand not only space, also the components of the buildings. I always enjoy drawing them, although they implies that you have to think a lot. Renzo Piano is my first fav ever! There’s a topic you didn’t mention, perspective sections. Back in time, when I was a student, there were lots of professors who put students under pressure to do them. In my opinion, sometimes there are just flashy, but don’t help as much as a really good expressive section.

[@Archimarathon]

You are right, we did avoid talking about them and the difference. Perspective sections still puts you in a fixed point in space whereas 2d sections with proper depth drawn with line weights put you in “god mode” by being in multiple points in space at once. It’s not unlike axonometric drawings. There is a great video by David Hockney comparing a traditional Chinese scroll painting vs Canaletto. I don’t think it’s on KZbin. Here is the trailer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmLOdoqIiblnesU

[@gabybordino6024]

@@Archimarathon thanks for the trailer! I´m gonna check it out, and try to get the full video somewhere else ;)

[@y.a.pthered]

I study at Wits in South Africa, and we actually learn to design in section before plan

[@Archimarathon]

Good to hear. I hope it stays that way during your development

[@michaeljmcmullan]

BIM loves to create sections and it is still necessary to design using them and in fact your designing improves if you use real world AHD levels within BIM.

[@diegofullaondo7864]

Hey Kevin, as someone who´s seen you and Ciro deliver your lectures on Sections independently first and the refined joint version afterwards, I miss an explicit acknolodgement of Ciro Marquez´s ideas and structure in this episode. It´s not a matter of copyright or copywrong :-)... it´s simply healthier and enriching being aware of the procedence of our ideas. And sharing it with others it not only fair, but intelligent. Hi from our tremendous and beloved Madrid. Hope to see you soon, somewhere.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks Diego. As discussed, it’s since been added in the descriptions of this video. Somehow late night editing things are forgotten or bad decisions are made unfortunately. Nice to hear from you.

[@aoustenaloysious8324]

Superb thanks a lot this inspirational & educative session

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@WelcomeToSteph]

Sections are a seriously underrated drawing art form - great lecturer from undergrad hammered home to us to always design in section as well as plan. Too embarrassed to share any of my own drawings, but definitely a skill to develop as I start the Master's. What are your opinions on hand rendered/black and white versus incredibly Photoshopped with stacks of materials?

[@Archimarathon]

I am all for black and white (greyscale) as it is the best way to learn the importance of line weights and contrasts first. It is also way more forgiving. I usually have a thick pen, a thin pen and liquid paper. Yes liquid paper. The beauty of black and white. And something I can even do just doing a screen cap of a students work and go to town on the iPad or even the phone with the basic drawing apps. Just using white or black. Easy. In my studios I used to run, the whole panel layout can only be B+W with one colour. That way students don’t get carried away with renders and overuse of colours. It also means they start to see the white spaces with new eyes.

[@WelcomeToSteph]

@@Archimarathon that's my preference too but when the young things at uni pull out their hectic Adobe skillz it makes you doubt yourself!

[@Archimarathon]

Once you understand and have control over your output then yes, couple that with photoshop makes for good combination. The channels @showitbetter and @upstairs are great for that

[@killerofprimes]

Whenever I start a new project, I always go for a sectional approach first :)

[@morneschroeder6255]

great video guys!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks Morne

[@fritz4345]

I love Renzo Piano's stuff.

[@biendelfin9463]

This was so helpful, thank you so much!

[@SY-bj7pp]

I subscribe to nothing (strategically), but I will subscribe to yours. Kevin is wise. Andrew is fun. I thought I was the only designer left, who can still laugh and engage (U States). Thank you for not being sanctimonious. The field has that covered. I enjoy watching Andrew get confused, then Kevin sorts him out. ha hah ha ....always learning.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks. By the way I am Kevin

[@SY-bj7pp]

@@Archimarathon I came back to fix it. ...too late.

[@brighttooth3592]

Thank you

[@kudzaishemakweta211]

Thank you so much guys for such a wonderful video, I honestly now view sections differently... henceforth I’m really going to have a collection of human figures to add to my sections. Keep up the good work 👏🏻👏🏻

[@Archimarathon]

Our even practice drawing your own. You get more into each person you are designing for.

[@anthonynastasi8708]

Awesome work guys, bring on more Simpsons references haha! Would love your thoughts on Atelier Bow Wows sections? Seems like it is mostly drawn in a single line weight apart from the outline of the floors which have been cut through. Materiality is heavily used in their sections. Also a great section artist is Glenn Murcutt, i thoroughly enjoy seeing the way they work with the environment.

[@Archimarathon]

They are sectional perspectives to start with, which means you are still in a fixed point in space as opposed to “god-mode” where you are on every point at once as discussed in Gaby Bordino’s comments thread. Also they have more than single line weights for sure. Look again. I have both books and just looked at them again before replying. Also, funny no one seems to have commented on the Princess Bride references.

[@AntonytNasralla]

great video, I always try to tell non-Architects who only care about a plan, that the section is important because it tells them how they are going to experience a space. #guesstheproject is the RMIT Storey Hall by ARM is it not?

[@Archimarathon]

Yes it is Storey Hall’s section. Well done.

[@AntonytNasralla]

​@@Archimarathon I've been there many times because my Archi-travel is limited to Melbourne for the time being 🤣

[@Archimarathon]

You must have heard parts of this when I used to give joint lecture about section with Ciro, right?

[@AntonytNasralla]

@@Archimarathon Yes, that's when I was introduced to the bread only sandwich and Mickey Mouse. It's a classic and I'm glad you made it available to the public.

[@Archimarathon]

Antony Nasralla Yes that was Ciro’s part and I have only asked for the Mickey Mouse. Wasn’t going to talk about sandwiches as that was his.

[@RB-zm4fk]

Lol Love the ending

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for watching till the end

[@Dam94IAn]

atelier bow wow drawings, detail level 100

[@Archimarathon]

Yes but they are sectional perspectives which are different

[@Dev1nci]

I think sections are great for communication but they do stand the risk of becoming simple extrusions like with a plan. So I find a good balance between plan and 3D is my preferred way to design. Instead of imagining the spaces, you’re actually in them and seeing what they really are like.

[@Ozblu3y]

Is that roof clear twin polycarbonate Andrew? Looks nice.

[@maynardarchitects]

Yep. Roofing layer and ceiling layer are 40mm thermoclick each.

[@FairleyTrashed]

Would you recommend it? Any issue with discolouration or dirt?

[@Ozblu3y]

@@maynardarchitects Nice haha. Glad I'm getting to a point I can spot materials :P

[@gabrielmclean298]

Elevations next!

[@Archimarathon]

That’s going to be a tough one. I’ll have to have a good think about how to deliver that

[@GOODGAMESINWORD]

Nice top Kevin

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks! I like it too.

[@munaaljonaidy770]

I LIKE ur SHIRT

[@Archimarathon]

Mine or Andrew's?

[@Stormer1633]

A great architecture school or design oriented projection of sections... contract and consent docs?

[@Archimarathon]

Contract docs have different purpose but the basics of line weights stays

[@Stormer1633]

@@Archimarathon ok thanks for the reply, I guess I was suggesting you could talk about this. It appears you're mainly aiming you channel at students. As you know the great divide between the skill set from A/school to being in practice can be shocking, so I thought there might be some benefits to exploring how practice drawings; Tender, Consent and Contract differ from the front end stuff emphasised in A/school... maybe this is a whole other subject matter for you guys 😊

[@Archimarathon]

We talk about the purpose of the drawing. The problem is that students (and sadly a lot of graduate) can’t even understand sections as a spatial tool. We are focusing on the appreciation of architecture and not necessarily focusing on architecture students. We are all students of greater architecture.

[@EdgarTheEagle]

Also there is a different approach when it comes to conceptual section and construction sections....

[@martinwander8295]

For the first time, I have a disagreement with you guys. I think both plans and sections can and probably should be both emotional and rational. All of the devices and focus ideas you mentioned can be applied to good plans, depending on whether they are for presentation of ideas or technical information. For instance, plans don’t have to be cut on a single plane if you can tell a better story by selecting where you cut the walls. Of course, you’re great at showing ways to maximize sections. I just think you’re discriminating against the poor plan!

[@danielwong9608]

And did he seriously drink keyboard beer?

[@Archimarathon]

Yes that would be something he would do. He could have snorted that up his nose for all in know. Just heard the sound.

[@danielwong9608]

@@Archimarathon i respect his respect for hydration 🤣

[@Archimarathon]

Stay hydrated people!!

[@maynardarchitects]

Keyboard beer is the best beer.

[@danielwong9608]

@@maynardarchitects 🤣🤢