Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/961

 18G9.J Geometrical Drawings and Models. 785 GEOMETRICAL DRAWINGS AND MODELS. THERE are subjects connected with Architecture which are often over- looked, whilst others that are not of as lively importance are repeated again and again. In looking over the second volume of Loudon's Architectural Maga- zine, that pioneer in the serial literature of our profession published thirty-four 3-ears ago, we find an article so much to our purpose, the sentiments of which are so worthy of being perpetuated that we give it in extenno : although we would premise that models are seldom used now-a-days in this country. But this is more on account of their expensiveness than their inutility. " Before a building is erected, the de- sign for it must be shown in some man- ner capable of exhibiting what it is to be ; and, if possible, what will be its precise effect when executed, so that there may be no after regret or disap- pointment. This is done by means of models, geometrical drawings, or per- spective views. Geometrical drawings are indispensable, because neither models nor views can be made until the architect has so far shaped his ideas ; but the other two modes of representa- tion, especially that of models, are by no means in general use, and very rarety indeed are all three of them emploj'ed at the same time; jet in works of im- portance, it is quite essential that they should be, for to neglect doing so is a very mistaken species of economy, and sometimes occasions an expense veiy far exceeding the contemplated saving, since no one mode can by itself convey a complete idea of what the edifice will actually be, although, by having re- course to them all, we may prevent any possibility of being deceived. " Even the model, which seems the most certain guide of all, and which has, at least, the advantage of being intelli- gible to those who are not conversant with geometrical designs, may, if incau- tiously trusted, greatly mislead. It is, indeed, an exact representatian of the building, but nothing more ; there is no positive scale for the eye, so that either fancy or inclination may exaggerate its dimensions, and bestow upon it an im- portance the building itself will not pos- sess. Sometimes, indeed, a figure is put in, to serve by way of scale ; but even this will not entirety guard against de- lusion, because if the building is to be in the immediate vicinity of others, its height will be more or less affected by theirs. What may be exceedingly well proportioned in itself, and have a suffi- ciently dignified look when considered apart from any other object, may make a very different figure when it comes to be built. Feelino- that it ouidrt to have superior importance, and to display itself to the best possible advantage, people take it for granted that such will be the case ; therefore it is no wonder if they afterwards feel something like disappointment, should they happen to find the structure itself, as will some- times happen, look little better than an overgrown model, being much lower than the houses above which they fancied it was intended to rear its height. Even they who are aware that the building will not be so lofty as those on either side of it, do not alwaj^s make due allow- ance for the difference ; and the differ- ence of effect so occasioned may greatly exceed that of positive measurement. Delusions of this kind might easily be guarded against, by having cardboard elevations of a part of each adjoining building, that may be fixed up against the model at pleasure. By way of further precaution, if the building is to be in a street, or in any other situation where the view of it will be limited to a certain distance, that distance should be accu- rately marked by scale, and a card, with