Understanding Architecture Through Drawing

is employed as the media of investigation rather than
words. Drawings allow the experience of green design to
be analysed from various perspectives – plan, section,
sketch views, details, etc. When key words are added,
the drawings display deeper understanding thereby
allowing the subject to be shared with others and
assessed if they are done as part of college work. Such
sketches should retain an analytical quality if the
principles are to be understood, although they can be
more descriptive if the aim is to relay the character and
experience of green design.
Sustainable architecture comes in various guises, from
modern solar-designed houses to traditional wind towers
or courtyard forms. In terms of solar energy, there is the
problem of keeping buildings cool (a growing problem

with global warming) as well as exploiting the sun for heat

gain. Hence practice varies in different regions of the

world and at different times of the year. For example, in

many twentieth-century modern movement houses the

architect balanced the need for high levels of daylight

with solar protection in the summer, whilst also affording

access to the health-giving qualities of sunshine in winter.

Many buildings (both houses and schools) constructed

around the mid century provide an interesting case study

of how architectural design responded to climate and

health in a sustainable way.

There is a clear link between cultural practices in

architecture and sustainability. Much vernacular

architecture carries in its construction and craft practices

a solid knowledge of low energy design, recycling, the

18.1
Drawing of the south-facing façade at BedZED, a low-energy housing
project designed by Bill Dunster in south London.

18.2

Sketch of ventilating cowls at BedZED. They rotate to take advantage of

wind to cool the houses and workshops beneath.

Sustainability 153