Diagramming the Big Idea: Methods for Architectural Composition

About this book

As a beginning design student you need to learn to think like a designer to visualize ideas and concepts as well as objects. In the second edition of Diagramming the Big Idea Jeffrey Balmer and Michael T. Swisher illustrate how you can create and use diagrams to clarify your understanding of both particular projects and organizing principles and ideas. With accessible step-by-step exercises that interweave full color diagrams drawings and virtual models the authors clearly show you how to compose meaningful and useful diagrams. As you follow the development of the four project groups drawn from the authors teaching you will become familiar with architectural composition concepts such as proportion site form hierarchy and spatial construction. In addition description and demonstration essays extend concepts to show you more examples of the methods used in the projects. Whether preparing for a desk critique or any time when a fundamental insight can help to resolve a design problem this new and expanded edition is your essential studio resource.