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Author: Sabrina Wilk

Publisher: DOM Publishers

Year of Publication: 1^st February, 2014

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Contents:

Part 1: Basics

1. Introduction
   • 1.1. Purpose and Scope
   • 1.2. The importance of drawing in Landscape Architecture
2. Drawing Equipment, Paper and Lines
   • 2.1. Drawing Tools
     • 2.1.1. Pencils
     • 2.1.2. Ink pens
     • 2.1.3. Rendering
     • 2.1.4. Other drawing equipment
   • 2.2. Workspace, Paper & Sketchbook
   • 2.3. The line
     • 2.3.1. Pencil vs. ink
     • 2.3.2. Rendering with marker
     • 2.3.3. Line weights
     • 2.3.4. Line types, quality and effect
     • 2.3.5. Lines and expression
     • 2.3.6. Graphic possibilities

Part 2: Projections

1. Introduction
2. Overview
3. Uses

Part 3: The plan view and rendition of symbols

1. Scale
   • 1.1. Scale and building
2. Buildings
   • 2.1. Floor plans and roof plans
   • 2.2. Roof plans and shadows
3. Trees and Vegetation
   • 3.1. Drawing trees
   • 3.2. Tree symbols
   • 3.3. Shade, shadow and tonal values
   • 3.4. Tree groups
   • 3.5. Shrubs, hedges and grass
   • 3.6. Trimmed hedges and wooded plants
   • 3.7. Vegetation surfaces
   • 3.8. Flowering plants
   • 3.9. Sketching planting beds
4. Built structures
   • 4.1. Pergola, garden pavilions and arbours
5. Surfaces and materials
   • 5.1. Paving patterns and scales
   • 5.2. Freehand surfaces
   • 5.3. Walls, stairs and ramps
   • 5.4. Rocks and stone walls
6. Water
   • 6.1. Built water features
   • 6.2. Moving Water
7. Furniture and People
   • 7.1. Topography and terrain
8. Contour Lines
9. Retaining Walls
10. Graphic scales
    • North arrow and graphic scales
11. Putting everything together
    • 11.1. Drawing process
    • 11.2. Elements of a successful line drawing

Part 4: Elevation and section

1. Elevation
   • 1.1. Introduction
   • 1.2. Construction
2. Vegetation and elevation
   • 2.1. Trees
   • 2.2. Shrubs and woody plants
   • 2.3. Potted plants
   • 2.4. Ground cover, grasses and flowering plants
   • 2.5. Adding depth
3. Built structures
   • 3.1. Pergolas, pavilions and arbours
   • 3.2. Walls and materilas
   • 3.3. Water
   • 3.4. People
4. Section and section-elevation
   • 4.1. Introduction
   • 4.2. Sections through buildings
   • 4.3. Section cut lines
   • 4.4. Constructing a section
   • 4.5. Uses and scale
   • 4.6. Section and cut area
   • 4.7. Examples

Part 5: Parallel projections

1. Parallel projection
   • 1.1. Introduction
   • 1.2. Isometric
2. Elevation oblique
   • 2.1. Introduction and construction
3. Axonometric projection
   • 3.1. Introduction and construction
   • 3.2. Circles
   • 3.3. Trees
   • 3.4. Vegetation
   • 3.5. Construction steps

Part 6: Perspective

1. Perspective projection
   • 1.1. Introduction
   • 1.2. Characteristics
   • 1.3. Vanishing points
   • 1.4. Types of Perspective
   • 1.5. Co-ordinates and sightlines
   • 1.6. Cone of vision
   • 1.7. Constructing a perspective grid
   • 1.8. Diagonals
   • 1.9. Horizon lines with pictorial effect
   • 1.10. Stairs and ramps
   • 1.11. Reflections
   • 1.12. Repetitive forms and dimensions
   • 1.13. Circles
   • 1.14. Simple shadows
2. Construction methods
   • 2.1. From the plan view
   • 2.2. Using a perspective grid
   • 2.3. From photos
   • 2.4. Drawing freehand perspectives
   • 2.5. Estimating proportions
   • 2.6. Freehand one-point perspective
   • 2.7. Freehand two-pint perspective
   • 2.8. Atmospheric perspective
   • 2.9. Graphic emphasis

Part 7: Architectural presentation, layout and lettering

1. Layout
   • 1.1. Introduction
   • 1.2. Formats
   • 1.3. ISO Standards (DIN)
   • 1.4. Symmerty
   • 1.5. Asymmetry
   • 1.6. Montage
   • 1.7. Ordering information
2. Adding words to a presentation
   • 2.1. Text size and hierarchy
   • 2.2. Key words vs. the legend
   • Hand lettering
   • Futura alphabet

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Summary:

Part 1 of this manual discusses in detail various tools i.e. pencils, pens, markers, etc. that can be used for rendering and the effect that each tool has on different types of papers.

Part 2 sheds light on the different types of projections and which type of projection can be used for conveying different aspects of a space.

Part 3 discusses representation in Plan. It provides multiple rendered examples of representing individual and group of softscape elements like trees, shrubs, hedges, lawn, various types of hardscape materials, water, structures and other landscape elements. While one may easily refer to these rendered examples for rendering their own layouts, the manual also discusses the process of developing representations based on the tree characters, intended landscape scheme, etc. and serves as a guide to develop a unique style.

Part 4 provides insight on representation of landscape design in elevation and section form by providing ample sketched examples of softscape elements i.e. trees, shrubs, hedges, etc. as individuals and in groups, landscape structures and other design elements. These sketches serve as a ready reference for rendering. In addition, this section provides rendered set of elevations and sections using different materials thereby showcasing materials to be used to create a particular effect.

Part 5 and Part 6 showcase a collection of rendered landscape spaces in 3D making use of orthographic projections, axonometric projections and rules of perspective to create realistic representation of envisaged spaces.

Part 7, the closing section of this book, provides tips for creating appealing architectural presentations.

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Review:

The field of Landscape architecture is highly demanding in terms of graphical representation to communicate so much content and design ideas. More complexity to the need for accurate representation is added by the scale of the project which may vary from small scale private residences to regional scale masterplans. In addition to the scale of the project, strategic vision, design concepts, outdoor experiences, vegetation character, construction details need to be precisely represented on paper.

In my opinion this book is very instructive and serves as a guide for a beginner intending to make great progress in the representation of ideas, concepts, landscape layouts and overall presentations. The examples of rendered layouts are very inspiring and serve as a reference for seasoned landscape architects as well.

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Recommendation:

I first came across Drawing for Landscape Architects: Construction and Design Manual by Sabrina Wilk while hastily scanning through books in the CEPT library and searching for a reference that could provide guidance on rendering and correctly representing landscape character. Since my days at CEPT University this book has been my go to reference every time I wish to render landscape designs for a presentation. I would completely recommend this book for:

• Students pursuing Bachelors in Architecture
• Students pursuing Masters in Landscape Architecture
• Landscape architects
• Landscape designers
• Anyone who wants to develop/ improve their rendering skills

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