Architectural Presentations Assignment due:

Color handout completed and

Playhouse model built

Session 4 - Shadows

During class time today work on 3 different color

schemes for your project - make a print and do When complete, we will select the best one.
different color schemes on the print. The schemes This scheme will be the one youll use on your
must be able to be categorized as one of the ones final project.
discussed in class.

Michael Doyle Michael Doyle

Color Drawing Color Drawing
Van Nostrum Reinhold 1981, p. 280-281 Van Nostrum Reinhold 1981, p. 281

There should be a dominant hue, value and

chroma for the scheme to work best. To liven it
Color on the floor plan usually works best with
up have subordinate elements create tension.
monochromatic/neutral schemes.
This contrasting element can be hue (green-
red), value (light-dark) or chroma (rich yellow,-
Exterior elevations usually will be rendered more
dull yellow).
realistically. Try to mimic actual colors.
Use a board underneath so the color doesnt
We will use this scheme in your final presentation.
bleed through.
Write down the pen numbers so you can do the
colors on the final scheme.
Lay down the colors in parallel lines in the
direction of the material you are representing.

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 Today were going to look at shades & shadows -
especially in elevation views. As always there are
standards. This is not for actual shadows but
suggested shadows. It is a standard.

During class today you need to show me the

model and we will have to digitally photograph it.

The photo will be included on your presentation.

Home Planner Magazine

Summer 1996, p.44

If we want true shadow lines we Shadow Standards

would need to know the inclination Imagine a point of light traveling through a cube of space. The light
of the sun during summer, winter is going from corner to corner. If we were looking at it in elevation
view, it would look like a 45 degree line going from top right to
and spring/fall equinoxes. We
bottom left. If looking in plan view, it would look like a 45 degree
would need to know the line going from bottom right to top left.
orientation of the building as well.
Some CAD programs can
generate this. Some cities require
this in every project.

Ramsey/Sleeper Muller, Fausett, & Grau

Architectural Graphic Standards Architectural Drawing & Light Construction
John Wiley & Sons 1994, p.407 & 409 Prentice Hall 2002, p.544 (altered)

Most plan book would have this type of casting. Notice that
they are just elevation drawings with shadows put on. We
could never see the building like this. There would be
perspective in real life! But it is a quick way to show depth.
This is what well be doing with our projects.
To cast shadows, imagine a point of light traveling across the
object (45 degree in plan and elevation). If the point of light is
stopped, a shadow will be created. We then use our geometric
principals to construct the shadow. The points of light that are
important are those on the edge.

Muller, Fausett, & Grau

Home Planner Magazine
Architectural Drawing & Light Construction
Summer 1996, p.44 & 45
Prentice Hall 2002, p.207

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 The plan & elevation can create the correct shadow.
Imagine casting the shadow of the first triangle, then
the second and connecting the points.
Although this is a suggestive technique, you
can test it out on a model and a lamp. Put the
light 45 degrees from the model and look at it.
The correct standard shadows will form. You
can also see what real sunlight will do by
orienting a model of the project near the site
location on a sunny day. To get the full effect
you must go out during the equinoxes in a 6-9
month cycle (winter, spring or fall, summer).

Muller, Fausett, & Grau

Architectural Drawing & Light Construction
Prentice Hall 2002, p.207

The shadows of
complex objects are The length of
the sum of the a shadow is
shadows of simple the height of
shapes. When the shape.
creating shadows of Cast the
complex objects shadow line
break them down to 45in plan
simple shapes. and elevation.

Jules Chiavaroli, AIA, NCARB Jules Chiavaroli, AIA, NCARB

AEC Drafting Fundamentals AEC Drafting Fundamentals
West Publishing Company 1994, p.124 West Publishing Company 1994, p.125

Sometimes shadows dont always hit a surface. For

The shape of a shadow is example, the shadow that falls off the edge of the
dependant on the surface it falls. building - where did it go?

Jules Chiavaroli, AIA, NCARB Muller, Fausett, & Grau

AEC Drafting Fundamentals Architectural Drawing & Light Construction
West Publishing Company 1994, p.125-126 Prentice Hall 2002, p.208

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 An example of how shadow falls on an angled plane.
You use the same technique. Work in plan as well as Look at Shadow
side elevation to get the full image. Worksheet of cabin.
We will be casting a
shadow on our
project elevation
views to make it
look real. This
handout will give
you some basics.
Lets add shadow to
the south elevation.
To set up place plan
above elevation.
Jules Chiavaroli, AIA, NCARB
AEC Drafting Fundamentals
West Publishing Company 1994, p.126

Step 2
Step 1
Bring lines down
Cast 45lines on
from plan to
plan and elevation.
elevation.

Step 3 Step 4
Connect lines at Clean up
intersections. connections.

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 Step 6
Step 5
Add small shadow lines.
Look at details.

Step 7 What a difference

Shade without shadows make!
covering up
lines below.

Now it is your turn to do the other three elevations. The

Compare hand-drawn shadows with model East elevation is tricky because you need to use the
same technique as discussed earlier.

Jules Chiavaroli, AIA, NCARB

AEC Drafting Fundamentals
West Publishing Company 1994, p.126

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 When done with the exercise - we will Use CAD and create a separate shadow layer (red),
check with model of cabin. NO looking at use an open hatch (user defined, 45, 1) to fill
model till all done! shadow area. Then begin to cast a shadow using
the same techniques in our handout.

Assignment List

By end of class period:

- Have 3 color schemes for the Playhouse
- Photograph Playhouse model
- Shadows cast on handout

By beginning of next class period:

- Shadows cast on 4 elevations of the
Playhouse
- Bring drafting tools