Throughout the history of architecture, representation has always played a vital role; it is the very birthplace of a project. Over time, prominent architects have stood out precisely because of their style of representation. Examples include Viollet-Le-Duc, whose drawing style brought to light the restoration of several historic buildings in Europe, and Le Corbusier, whose famous sketches were anything but beautiful yet managed to convey the essence of his projects.
Today, the drive to convey this essence—known as character—has been lost to hyperrealistic representation, where the focus shifts to construction rather than sensation. In the following paragraphs, I will explore the current importance of representation and how it holds the key to transforming the discipline.
