This edition of AD magazine, Drawing Architecture examines the development and progression of contemporary architectural drawing in the 21st century. With the new digital creative influence, the world of architectural design is currently enjoying a renaissance supported by the graphic dexterity of the computer, and has produced a glut of stunning contemporary drawings that could rival the past. Guest Editor Neil Spiller’s view of this topic is sure to be the catalyst for a well overdue re-examination of drawing, by comparing the architectural vision of the past and present, and discussing how there is still so much to learn.

We are in the second decade of the 21st century and, as with most things, the distinction between digital and analogue has become tired and inappropriate. This is also true in the world of architectural drawing, which paradoxically is enjoying a renaissance supported by the graphic dexterity of the computer. This new fecundity has produced a contemporary glut of stunning architectural drawings and representations that could rival the most recent outpouring of architectural vision in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Indeed, there is much to learn by comparing the then and the now.

The contemporary drawing is often about its ability to describe the change, fluctuations and mutability of architecture in relation to the virtual/real 21st-century continuum of architectural space. Times have changed, and the status of the architectural drawing must change with them. This reassessment is well overdue, and this edition of AD will be the catalyst for such re-examination.

This edition of AD magazine, Drawing Architecture examines the development and progression of contemporary architectural drawing in the 21st century. With the new digital creative influence, the world of architectural design is currently enjoying a renaissance supported by the graphic dexterity of the computer, and has produced a glut of stunning contemporary drawings that could rival the past. Guest Editor Neil Spiller’s view of this topic is sure to be the catalyst for a well overdue re-examination of drawing, by comparing the architectural vision of the past and present, and discussing how there is still so much to learn.

We are in the second decade of the 21st century and, as with most things, the distinction between digital and analogue has become tired and inappropriate. This is also true in the world of architectural drawing, which paradoxically is enjoying a renaissance supported by the graphic dexterity of the computer. This new fecundity has produced a contemporary glut of stunning architectural drawings and representations that could rival the most recent outpouring of architectural vision in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Indeed, there is much to learn by comparing the then and the now.

The contemporary drawing is often about its ability to describe the change, fluctuations and mutability of architecture in relation to the virtual/real 21st-century continuum of architectural space. Times have changed, and the status of the architectural drawing must change with them. This reassessment is well overdue, and this edition of AD will be the catalyst for such re-examination.

- Features the work of: Pascal Bronner, Bryan Cantley, Peter Cook, Perry Kulper, CJ Lim, Tom Noonan, Dan Slavinsky, Neil Spiller, Peter Wilson, Nancy Wolf, Lebbeus Woods and Mas Yendo.
- Contributors include: Nic Clear, Mark Garcia, Simon Herron and Mark Morris.