How to Design Traditional Architecture: Measured Drawing and Precedent-Based Design

Part I: “Measured Drawing and Precedent-based Design“
September 11-12, 2020
Historic Olmsted Campus at the mouth of Provo Canyon

How do you create a timeless building?
Is there more to design than just following trends and trial-and-error?

In conjunction with Utah Valley University School of Architecture and in collaboration with the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, we are excited to offer this hands-on course in creating enduring beauty through traditional architectural design. Open to beginners and seasoned practitioners, students will explore what great buildings of the past can teach us about contemporary design and practice, spending two days (Sep 11-12) measuring and drawing the historic buildings on Olmsted campus in Provo Canyon and two days (Sep 25-26) in the classroom learning how traditional buildings are composed according to timeless principles embodied in the classical orders and moldings.

Part I: Measured Drawing and Precedent-Based Design

Class Description:
Part I introduces the practice of measured drawings and the use of precedent and traditional principles in contemporary design. To create timeless buildings we need to first understand how buildings beget buildings and why it may be more important to say something true than to say something new. This does not mean slavishly copying the past. Instead, creative designers can innovate on the edge of tradition by understanding the principles from nature that underlie all buildings that will stand the test of time.

• Instruction: “Buildings Beget Buildings: The Art of Precedent in Traditional Architecture”
• Hands-on demonstration of measured and analytical drawings
• Instruction: “Geometry and the Order of Nature”
• Hands-on measured drawings of Olmsted Campus

Part 2 will take place September 25 and 26, 2020.

Portions of this course will be offered online. Those attending the class in person are asked to follow all CDC guidelines to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19, including wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and maintaining 6′ social distancing.

This event is hosted by an ICAA Chapter. Please check the Chapter website or contact the Chapter directly, for the most up-to-date details including dates, times, and pricing.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS FOR THIS EVENT!

Additional Programming Information

Buildings Beget Buildings: The Art of Precedent and Tradition

1.5 AIA CES Learning Units|Elective
(Available for both In-Person and Online Registrants)

This lecture will introduce students to the design principles of traditional architecture. Current design methodology emphasizes novelty and change, but what can we learn from periods of history that approached design more through precedent and tradition. The fundamental question to be discussed: How can a "traditional" approach benefit contemporary designers?

Learning Objectives:

• Explore how other periods of history have approached architectural design
• Learn how to appropriately use precedent in the design process
• Understand how all buildings come from other buildings
• Discover design principles from tradition that are relevant today, including proportion, geometry, molding theory, and the classical orders

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Shape, Symmetry, and Symbol: The Order of Nature and the Principles of Geometry

2 AIA CES Learning Units|Elective
(Available for both In-Person and Online Registrants)

In this session, Dr. Lisa DeLong will explore the profound interrelationship of nature and geometry in an illustrated talk accompanied by short demonstrations and opportunities for live discussion. Participants will be asked to consider how the fluid proportion and harmony found in organic nature might reveal fundamental keys to design. Three primary proportioning systems will be introduced, along with a discussion of how these proportioning systems could be applied in architecture and ornamentation.

Learning Objectives:

• Be introduced to the universal principles manifest in masterpieces of art and architecture
• Investigate the interrelationship between the order of nature and primary harmonies essential to beautiful design
• Use traditional tools of geometry to derive key proportions from fundamental shapes
• Explore symmetry as a tool for building decorative pattern

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Measured Drawing

5.5 AIA CES Learning Units|Elective
(Please note that Learning Units for this portion of the program are only available for In-Person participants)

The historic Olmsted power plant is a collection of early 20th-century buildings that has not been fully documented. Students will work in small groups with a mentor to measure and draw elements of these buildings to scale using measuring tapes, profile combs, architectural scales, and other tools. Through this they will learn both how to document a historic building and also the proportions and methods used in traditional design.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how to accurately document parts of a historic building
• Learn how elements of a historic building are designed
• Learn how elements of a historic building are constructed
• Explore how a precedent building can be useful in the creative process to design and construct a new building

AIA Provider Information

Program Level: Introductory

AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date: September 4, 2023

Provider Number: G193

Provider Statement: The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number G193. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES ([email protected] or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.