on conventions

when designing a 'piece of architecture' (cough..), one is asked to come up with a series of representations based on standard set of requirements. for instance, the conventional plans, four elevations, two sections and several internal and external perspectives. for many, and i speak from my limited experience, it's always an uphill, futile struggle to complete the required set of drawings.

lost in the mix, i wonder if we even understand the purpose in doing these drawings.

plans, sections, elevations, perspectives, axonometrics, diagrams ... are all means of communicating a design. what we don't see often enough is an understanding of the fundamentals and implications that these different types of representations carry. it ain't necessary to do them all, and it's certainly not worth spending countless hours trying. there is little point in doing an elevation if it does not communicate our ideas.

if it isn't necessary, then don't do it.