Fundering van een voorgevel c. 1864

This drawing, ‘Fundering van een voorgevel’, or ‘Foundation of a Facade,’ by Willem Springer Jr., gives us insight into 19th-century architectural planning. It’s rendered in pencil and ink on paper, everyday materials that democratized design, moving it out of the realm of stone and monument, and into the world of the portable and provisional. The linear quality of the drawing, combined with the technical lettering, reflects a culture of precision and rationalization of labor, evident in both design and architecture. The work provides a glimpse into the nuts and bolts of building construction, a complex and highly skilled task, of the industrial age and a growing urban population. By focusing on the foundational aspects, Springer Jr. reminds us of the labor-intensive processes that underpin even the most ornate facades. It prompts us to consider the many hands involved in bringing architectural visions to life, challenging any separation between design and the realities of construction.