Registering Absence: Shadows as Objects

Shadows contain information not otherwise evident in architectural drawings and representation. From the techniques of skiagraphy and the teachings of the descriptive geometry of the Beaux Arts period, shadows have been considered a ‘mechanical procedure of projection’ by many critics including Robin Evans in Architectural Projection.1 As we transition into the digital era, shadows are no longer considered deliberate design intentions but a consequence of computational algorithms through the use of rendering software. Moreover, the freedom to pan, orbit, and place light sources in a virtual space has altered our understanding of shadows and scales. The project positions shadow as a design tool by formulating a relationship between skiagraphy using orthographic projections and digital rendering of the 21st century. It investigates how shadows can evolve from a descriptive tool to a technique of generating forms.

https://doi.org/10.35483/ACSA.AM.107.97

Volume Editors
Amy Kulper, Grace La & Jeremy Ficca

ISBN
978-1-944214-21-0