Manual

noun: written practical instructions on how to do something or how to use something
adjective: done with the hands, involving physical work

On the right under Information you will find the following:
* Reading for books and films relevant to the unit agenda and wider interest
* Resources where you can find research material and inspiration

Format of work:
* Project diary (A4 sketchbook)
* Portfolio (A1 landscape sheets)
* Supporting studies book (A3 sheets, bound)

Project diary:
To be carried and used daily – use as a sketchbook and scrapbook, work chronologically. Carry it with you and get used to making drawn observations and visual notes on your project and other ideas as they occur to you.

Devise a simple format – this book is primarily to aid your process but setting things out clearly enables you to communicate those ideas and the process to someone else. Making it also allows you to reflect on your ongoing process. Create a chronological narrative which gathers the various strands of your design process: sketches, notes, photos, reference images and key research material, and add
small amounts of text as a commentary. Anything of interest should be included.

Work in it every day. Review weekly.

sketchbook pages by Steven Holl

Portfolio:
Consists of both finished drawings and process work. Can be edited and re-ordered.

The care with which you construct your portfolio, models and drawings reflects directly on your abilities and interests as an architect. You cannot construct your built proposals but you are constructing your descriptions of them. Each drawing is a 'piece' that is constructed by you; the portfolio itself, the manner of drawing, the visual ordering, the physicality of a piece as well as its content, are all aspects that contribute to others' understanding and your own exploration of the
design process.

Being able to critically assess your own work is crucial. Look at each sheet as you produce it and afterwards. Graphical layout, text styles and sizes, the titles and annotations you use, are all judgements you need to make. Prints should be of good quality but it is acceptable to join smaller prints to make a larger sheet (this can save time and money during the year), so long as this is done with care and attention (tape on the back only, trim paper so it does not overlap).

top: Preparation Plants by Bernd & Hilla Becher
middle: Shelter for Roman ruins, Chur, by Peter Zumthor
above: from Taking Measures Across the American Landscape by James Corner

There are different 'speeds' of drawing and model-making. Find out what these are and make use of them. All successful portfolios contain both fast and slow drawings.
Your drawings should both explore and clarify ideas, as well as describe and communicate these to other people.
The drawings should be approached as forming the actual process of investigation and design - not a retrospective description.
Sketch models and sketches in particular do not have to be 'finished' or final to be a valuable part of the process.

Process in portfolio:

You must include process work and documentation of process in your portfolio, It is essential that this is produced continuously throughout the year. Models and other constructions must also be documented in your Portfolio and/or Project Diary as photos, investigative and working drawings.

Decide on a default sheet format and layout. Where certain pieces may be a different format as appropriate, this should be a conscious decision; for instance you might make a booklet/set of small drawings or research, or make a larger drawing at a particular scale.

Essential tools:

Pencils and pens for a range of types of drawing
Pencils suitable for precise drawing
 eg. 2mm clutch pencil with 2H leads, and grinder/sharpener
Architectural scale rule
T-square or parallel motion for drawing table
Adjustable set-square

Scalpel for model-making, recommended Swann Morton No.3 handle and 10A blades (always use a sharp blade and dispose of old ones carefully)
Metal edge
Cutting mat
PVA/white glue for models (takes practice but is best for card)
Stock of tracing paper, cartridge paper and modelling materials
eg. greyboard, watercolour/ thick cartridge paper.

Camera - does not have to be expensive but you should be able to use it, control flash, understand depth of field of focus, aperture and shutter speed.
Tape measure
Sensible footwear and clothing for weather and walking

top: documentation of walks by Masayoshi Nakano
above: installation view by Wolfgang Tillmans