Understanding Architecture Through Drawing

with first Gothic, then Renaissance, decoration, reflecting
the wealth of the merchants and farmers who flourished
under aristocratic protection. Civic buildings quickly
became more imposing, leaving a splendid heritage today.
As the latter are grouped around or stand within the
market square, their impact is both immediate and
impressive.
Since the Bastide towns were developed according to
a predetermined plan, they have a clarity that is unusual in
medieval settlements. The square street blocks, central
market place and clearly defined town edges (usually
formed by a defensive wall or river) result in places that
are well ordered and legible in architectural terms. In
most cases the centre of the town is marked by a church
or market hall, the main commercial activities are grouped

within the arcade around the central square, and the

secondary streets support private houses and small

shops. With gated entrances or approaches via medieval

river bridges, the sequence from outside to inside is also

well articulated.

The unusual qualities of urban design represented by

the Bastide towns make them a fine subject for

sketchbook exploration. As cafés and bars are grouped

around the market square, drawings of the square and its

contents can be prepared in some comfort from well-

located positions. Several drawings are required to gain a

full understanding of even fairly modest towns. In the

case of the Bastide towns, a series of sketches can

perhaps capture the sequence of views from the town

edge to the centre, focusing upon key elements such as

21.10 a and b

These town plans drawn from tourist

maps help to explain the structure

of the central squares of two of the

Bastide towns of the Dordogne Eymet

(a) and Villeréal (b).

a b

188 Understanding architecture through drawing