Artists' Impressions in Architectural Design

People have always been fascinated with how an intended building will look. Clearly, architects' clients will have a vested interest in seeing impressions of their buildings before construction begins. However, members of the public have always expressed a desire to find out what is proposed for their town, village or city. In addition, artists' impressions have been extensively used to gain support for building projects in terms of publicity and fund raising; and as illustrations for articles about the construction industry and the history of architecture. Understanding how buildings are envisioned is central to people's view of architectural design. "Artists' Impressions in Architectural Design" looks at the the ways in which architects have represented their designs for clients and the public, both historically and contemporarily. It covers the period from the 15th to the 21st century. Featuring some of the best known buildings by the best known architects; this book places the exciting technological development of today in context with the rich historical heritage of the past.

Artists' Impressions in Architectural Design analyses the ways in which architects have presented their designs for clients and the public, both historically and contemporarily. It spans a period from the fifteenth to the twenty-first century.Architects have become familiar with change. The passage of time has brought with it new and revived styles of architecture, as well as innovative tools and techniques for their representation. The result is that while some methods show a view of the architect's concept for a building, others offer an almost real experience of the intended architecture. This book provides a rare and valuable study in which the exciting technological developments of today are placed in context with the rich heritage of the past. It offers an opportunity to learn how architects have chosen to represent their ideas. The authors dare to glimpse into the future and hopefully offer some reassurance for tomorrow.

Acknowledgements 1. Context and Introduction 2. Theory and Ideas about Envisioning Buildings 3. Historical Methods 4. Artists' Pictures 5. Two Dimensional Drawings 6. Three Dimensional Drawings 7. Thin Straight Lines 8. Realistic Impressions 9. Models 10. Computer Aided Design 11. Virtual Reality 12. Where Next? Ideas and Conclusions. List of Illustrations. References. Index.

Bob Giddings, is Research Director and Head of Postgraduate Studies in the School of the Built Environment at the University of Northmbria at Newcastle upon Tyne. He has been a practising architect for nearly twenty years and has worked on a considerable variety of building projects. Margaret Horne, is a Chartered Information Systems Practitioner with over 30 years computing experience. She has lectured in universities around the world, teaching applications of information technology to built environment staff and students.