Methods Of Documentation & Measured Drawings

Module Introduction

The subject aims to develop an understanding of the principles of building preservation/conservation and the methods of recording it in three documentation methods which are:

1. Measured Drawings

2. Written Documentation

3. Photographic Documentation

The ideas of application and management of architectural historic documentation will be presented as part of the overall knowledge of building preservation/conservation. For measured drawings, we are to document historically and architecturally significant buildings in the form of architectural drawings.

The task requires a group of students at an average of 12-20 per group to carry on a fieldwork consisting of measuring techniques such as photographing, sketching, using a theodolite and measuring tapes. The expected outcomes for this project are a collection architectural drawings such as proper orthographic drawings being drawn out by using AutoCAD, crafting a scaled model and also a research that explains about the background, history, concept, style of construction and the ornamentation of our chosen building.

Module Objective

1. To introduce several methods of documenting historic structures to preserve an accurate record of historic properties that can be used in research and other preservation/conservation activities.

2. To introduce basic preparation of measured drawings of a selected building or structure to prescribed standard.

Project 1: Sketchbook and Journal

This project is an on-site project where we had to sketch and document the physical and intangible qualities of the building as well as the immediate context of the site. It can be from an element as broad as the urban planning itself down to th e smallest detail of the ornaments used in the building.

The building that were given to us was the State Chinese Penang Association building located in Penang.

Also, the sketches must include various topic such as draft orthographic drawings, the genius loci, poetic quality, cultural attributes and technical/construction details.

Project 2: Building Report and Video

The report is an additional documentation that accompanies the set of drawings for the building that had been measured during the whole project. The report will elaborate on the significance of the building measured from various aspects such as architectural, historical and cultural. In this report, we are required to relate the architecture of the building to its significance, highlighting how the two support the inhabitation of the building. We are also required to prepare a presentation, photo book and a video about our site.

Project 3: Measured Drawings and Model

This project is carried out throughout the semester where we were assigned to measure and document a historical/architecturally significant or heritage building and translate all the data into a set of drawings. Each group will have to only measure one particular assigned by the course coordinator. Apart from doing the measuring exercise on site, we are also assigned to do additional research in order to piece together all the important data about the building. The model will provide additional physical information of the building.