What's Happening to Architectural Sketching?: Interviewing architects about transformation from traditional to digital architectural sketching as a communicational tool with clients

Abstract

The paper discusses 23 interviewed architects in practice about the role of traditional and digital sketching (human-computer interaction) in communication with the client. They were selected from I995 to 20I8 (the interval of graduation) from three different countries: The Czech Republic (CR), Slovakia (SR), Netherland (NR). To realize three blending areas that impact the approach to sketching: (I) Traditional hand and physical model studies (I995-2003). (II)Transition form-designing by hand and PC (2004—20I7). (III) Mainly digital and remote forms of designing (20I8-now). Interviews helped transform 3I "parameters of tools use " from the previous theoretical framework narrowed down into six main areas: (I) Implementation; (2)Affordability; (3)Timesaving; (3) Drawing support; (5) Representativeness; (6) Transportability. Paper discusses findings from interviewees: (A) Implementation issues are above time and price. (B) Strongly different understanding of what digital sketching is. From drawing in Google Slides by mouse to sketching in Metaverse. (C) Substantial reduction of traditional sketching (down to a total of 3% of the time) at the expense of growing responsibilities. (D) 80% of respondents do not recommend sketching in front of the client. Also, other interesting findings are further described in the discussion.