Every architecture student encounters architectural presentation techniques during their school years. The first things that come to mind are models, sheets, and mood boards. Architectural presentation techniques aim to transfer the project to the other party in the best way. Thus, the project can be understood by anyone without any additional explanation. However, it is necessary to know what these presentation techniques are and understand their purposes to reach the intended point. So, what are the architectural presentation techniques, and in which situations should they be used?
Layout
A layout is a presentation tool used in almost every project. The content of the layout can vary widely.
The contents of the layout(s) will, of course, change according to the level or subject of the project. It is essential for integrity that no matter how many layouts there are, they have the same design language.
The critical point here is not to confuse the language of design with the language of expression. There may be many different contents, such as plan-section, rendering, interior visuals, and mood boards presented in the project. A single layout will not be enough for that much content. Therefore, it is necessary to use more than one sheet in complex projects. The same design language used in all of these layouts makes them look like a set, a whole. However, it cannot be expected that the same narrative language will be used in all sheets.
It is undesirable to see the colors and textures on the Moodboard sheet the same as the technical drawing layout. Different expression languages will be needed in each design for the information and details to be given.
Model
Modeling is one of the most influential architectural presentation techniques. If a project has reached the architectural design stage, a model must be included during the presentation. However, it is also vital that this model is suitable for its purpose, scaled, and explanatory.
Like every element in the project, unnecessary decorations should be avoided in the model. Also, uploading too much detail to a model can cause the loss of actual meaning. For example, putting both material, furnishing, structure, and roof coating on the model can make it difficult to perceive individually. At this point, the decisive factor is scale. Also, clean artistry is one of the most critical factors that make a model readable.
Moodboard
Moodboard is one of the most fun architectural presentation techniques. This technique is usually used at the beginning of the project. Moodboards are used to transfer the concept and material palette in mind in an abstract manner.
Moodboard is an easy-to-follow method for the designer and a catchy, effective way for the client. The feeling of real textures can be achieved with different materials. By choosing natural materials, the three-dimensional structure in the models is also given in the mood board.
Plan-Section-View
Technical drawing elements such as plan, section, and the view can also be easier to read with architectural presentation techniques.
Light colors and textures that do not go beyond the plan lines visually strengthen the transition between spaces and reveal material decisions.
However, drawings with many technical details, such as plans, also require attention. The notice should be taken not to obscure existing dimension lines and other technical information. Attention should be paid to the line hierarchy. It is crucial to observe wall and plaster lines, hatches, reinforcement lines, and their thickness. The thickness of the cross-section and dimension lines should not go beyond the original plan.
The equipment put into the plan mustn’t be just a box, but what they are is legible. Opening directions of windows, doors, and cabinets should be indicated with dashed and faint lines.
Apart from these, every word to be written in the plan and sections must be in their best place. The least possible text should be used on the sheets, and unnecessary details should be avoided. The things that must be written for a successful presentation in plan and section can be listed according to the scale of the plan as follows;
Locality names
Quantities
Dimensions
Grades
Wall, floor, and ceiling materials