Watercolour Planning Drawings vs CGI
On occasion, we like to revert to good old traditional mediums such as pen, ink, and watercolour.
At David Cosby, we like to think that we are at the forefront of technology especially when it comes to scanning, 3D modelling and CAD work. However, on occasion we still revert to good old traditional mediums such watercolour.
The use of CGI (computer generated images) and CAD (computer aided design) has many benefits but there is a subtleness that comes with hand drawn watercolour planning drawings that ultra-realistic computer images are yet to replicate. Depicting a scene with millimetre precision is one thing, however, being able to portray the mood and character requires something more than accuracy alone.
Visualising Planning Applications
Watercolor illustrations can assist a planning officer to visualise proposals and help them to reach a more informed decision on an application.
When we submit planning applications they are usually accompanied with a set of drawings; generally 2D plans and elevations. For most projects, this is a sufficient level of detail to assess the likely impact of the proposal. However, for more sensitive projects, a watercolor illustration can assist the planning officer to visualise the proposals and help them reach a more informed decision on whether to approve an application.
A Northamptonshire Boat House
We decided to dust down our sable brushes, stretch some cold pressed watercolor paper, and get to work painting.
One such project that we were engaged on required planning drawings for a concealed boat house on a Northamptonshire lake. The boat house was to have a covered docking area and first-floor entertaining space. A glazed balcony would provide views over the lake and Northamptonshire countryside beyond. The boat house was to be set within a meadow which gently sloped down to the lake side. We were to incorporate a curved grassed roof to ensure that the boat house could not be visible from the roadside above.
Such a unique project in a sensitive area might be difficult to portray appropriately with hard edged Computer Aided drawings alone. We therefore decided to dust down our sable brushes, stretch some cold pressed watercolor paper, and get to work painting.
The final planning submission included the following image which, along with the technical drawings, enabled the planners to make a thorough assessment of the proposals. Planning Permission was duly granted and construction is now completed. We trust that the owners are now enjoying their subterranean boat house and the views from the balcony.
Working closely with our clients, we take projects through from conception to Planning or Building Regulation submission. Our final working drawing packages include detailed specification notes to assist in the tender stage and for successful on-site management. For more information, please visit our architectural home page or call 01327 361664.