Doorsnede van een gebouw over de lengte c. 1864

"Doorsnede van een gebouw over de lengte" is a lengthwise cross-section of a building, made by Willem Springer Jr. Springer's detailed architectural drawings, emerged during a time of significant urban transformation in Europe. These drawings reflect the socio-economic hierarchies embedded within architectural spaces. The very act of planning and constructing buildings was, and remains, an exercise in power, determining who has access to what spaces, and under what conditions. Architectural renderings serve as a visual language that encodes social norms and expectations. They tell silent stories about gender, class, and ability, dictating movement, interaction, and even aspiration. These drawings offer insights into the values of a society grappling with industrialization and urbanization, where every line and angle speaks to a complex interplay of identity, power, and space.