Drawing Architecture

by Thomas, Helen

• ISBN13: 9781837291052
• ISBN10: 1837291055
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2025-10-22
• Publisher: Phaidon Press

Summary

‘An uncommonly intelligent guide through 4,000 years of spaces and buildings.’ – San Francisco Chronicle

Back in print, an elegant presentation of stunning and inspiring architectural drawings from antiquity to the present day

Throughout history, architects have relied on drawings both to develop their ideas and communicate their vision to the world. This gorgeous collection brings together more than 250 of the finest architectural drawings of all time, revealing each architect’s process and personality as never before.

Creatively paired to stimulate the imagination, the illustrations span the centuries and range from sketches to renderings, simple to intricate, built projects to an utopian ideal, famous to rarely seen – a true celebration of the art of architecture. Visually paired images draw connections and contrasts between architecture from different times, styles, and places.

Featuring work by an incredibly diverse array of creatives ranging from Michelangelo to Frank Gehry, Louise Bourgeois to Tadao Ando, B.V. Doshi to Zaha Hadid, and Grafton to Luis Barragán, the book shows the incredible variety and beauty of architectural drawings.

Author Biography

Dr. Helen Thomas is an architect, writer, and publisher based in rural Switzerland, founder of womenwritingarchiture.org and tischzweiverein.org. Her knowledge of architectural drawings comes from time spent working in the V&A+RIBA Architecture Drawing Collections at the V&A in London. In addition, many years collaborating with Drawing Matter continues to deepen her connection, affection for and knowledge of this subject.