Extended Representation: New Drawings in Architecture

Abstract

[EN] Representation drawings in architecture serve as a critical bridge between the conceptual articulation of design ideas and architectural constructs, embodying a unique blend of ambiguity and specificity that fosters innovation and exploration. Design research, Strange Figure, examines the impact of emerging digital technologies—multi-platform 3D modeling software workflow and Extended Reality (XR) tools—on the traditional practice of architectural representation. Advancements in 3D modeling software and XR tools challenge and expand the conventional boundaries of architectural design by introducing new depths of complexity and articulation. Strange Figure incorporates new technological innovations to redefine the creative process in architecture and to create new type of drawings. Strange Figure explores the nuances of digital representation, including the challenges of maintaining coherence across various digital platforms and the creative opportunities arising from digital drawings' inherent ambiguity. The study reveals a paradigm shift towards integrating digital tools into architectural representation, facilitating explorations of architectural designs through new types of drawings. The research suggests that digital technologies, while potentially blurring traditional distinctions between drawings and renderings, offer architects new opportunities to explore complex ideas and foster innovative designs through 3D modeling workflow that simultaneously produces two-dimensional drawings and XR tools that offer immersive investigation. The established workflow between multi-platform 3D modeling and XR technologies introduces new layers of complexity, allowing architects to engage with representation in more dynamic and inventive ways through new types of drawings. Strange Figure highlights the crucial role of digital innovations in evolving architectural drawings, advocating for blending traditional and digital methods to enhance design. Emphasizing digital tools' ability to expand creative and conceptual limits, it marks a new phase of architecturally rich and technologically advanced representation.