Sketchaholics Anonymous: Preserving the Art of Hand Rendering
In an increasingly digital world, computer aided design – or CAD – is quickly becoming the most widely utilized tool for communicating architectural and design concepts to clients. While it is certainly powerful and precise in communicating developed design, CAD lacks a few key benefits that preserve hand-rendering’s place as a necessary skill in today’s world.
Unfortunately, with the ubiquity of CAD hand-rendering is becoming less prevalent and receives less emphasis throughout an architect’s education despite its usefulness. In an effort to combat this and preserve the art of putting pen and pencil to paper in the up-and-coming generation of architects, our design principal Nathan hosts a monthly class (affectionately referred to as “sketchaholics anonymous” among our team), focusing on different techniques and applications and with a variety of subjects.
Why is hand-rendering a critical skill?
At the core of our mission is jointly creating architecture that facilitates meaningful experiences, inspiring the human spirit to flourish and thrive. To do so, we delve deep into our client’s vision – drawing out not only the necessary functions of the space but also aspirational goals – the “if it were possibles” and the “it would be really cool ifs” – from each stakeholder.
As we do so, we sketch on the table right there with the client, a concept materializing for everyone to see, understand, provide feedback. It creates a truly iterative process and open dialogue. There is no lag time, no coming back in a few weeks with a digital rendering of what we hoped was communicated previously. This creates a true partnership with each client and stakeholder, giving them a front-row seat to the creative process from inception to completion.
We are pleased to announce the addition of Rebecca Weidler to our team as our new Healthcare Planner. Rebecca is a recent transplant from Philadelphia with a decade of experience in architecture for health and has been involved in projects of all sizes and scope. Originally from Long Island, New York, she obtained her Master of Architecture from the Pratt Institute and her Bachelor of Arts from Southern Virginia University. She will be overseeing planning for the new Brigham City Hospital OR Expansion and joining the University Hospital Infill Project team. Outside of work, she enjoys all kinds of creative pursuits including fashion design, drawing, sewing, and experimenting in the kitchen.
This past January marks Nathan’s 5th anniversary of joining TSA Architects as partner and design principal. Nathan is respected for his passionate dedication and architecture, specializing in design for healthcare, senior care, and other mission-driven work. His passion for healthcare design was sparked as a patient in an operating room 20 years ago, and since that time he continually strives to create beautiful architecture and spaces that inspire not only health and healing but better the built environment we live in.