Sophomore Seminars

Accessing Architecture Through Drawing

CEE 31Q

In today's architecture, buildings are becoming more and more spatially complex, as evidenced by such exemplars as Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. Drawing architecture is a way to obtain a deeper understanding of the intricacies and subtleties that characterize outstanding contemporary buildings. In this seminar, students will learn how to draw freehand perspectives and to construct conventional architectural drawings such as plans, elevations, and sections. Students will draw with charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, and felt-tip pens. Once basic skills in drawing are acquired, students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned to a simple architectural design project. This course assumes some prior experience in drawing or the desire to make a serious commitment to learning how to draw.

This course will be offered in Autumn and Spring quarters.

Meet the Instructor(s)

John Barton

John Barton is the director of Stanford's Architectural Design Program. His practice has spanned nearly 30 years, and he has received numerous design awards, including a recent AIACC Honor Award in Urban Design for collaborative work on high-speed rail options in Palo Alto. He also combines teaching and professional practice with significant community service, including one term on the Palo Alto City Council and two terms on the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education. He earned his B.A. and M.A in architecture from UC Berkeley.
Learn more about John Barton