Contour and Layers: An Architectural Exploration

Abstract

The book is a series of plates, pictures and writings which are the results of an architectural thesis exploring, line, contour and layers. The plates are scans of original work by the author, made in a combination of media including: pencil, pastel, watercolor, photograph, study models, hand-drafted drawings, and computer aided drawings. A transcript of the presentation of the work at the thesis defense is included. The simple idea is the impression of contour by the expression of layers. The contour is a line tracing the motion and movement of architecture. Resulting from practice in drawing using pastels, pencil and paper the line, through continuity, can twist, pass over, go under and around- joining parts into an organized whole. Following a program of a modern bath, an architectural space is made, built by layers. The thesis is an architectural exploration of layers and the resultant contours. The best representation of this work is available in printed form at the Art and Architecture Library on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia.