Façade en doorsnede van een gebouw c. 1864

Willem Springer Jr. rendered this facade and cross-section of a building in ink and watercolor. Here, we can see how the architect's process intersects with the craft of drafting. Lines are meticulously drawn and colored, showing the structure's components and spatial relationships. The quality of the materials - ink, watercolor and paper - allows for precise details and subtle variations in tone. This drawing speaks to the social context of architectural design, as it represents the planning and construction of buildings that shape our living and working environments. In the 19th century, with industrialization on the rise, new materials and building techniques were being developed, and the amount of work involved in the production process increased exponentially. By considering the materials, making process, and context of this architectural drawing, we can see how it challenges traditional distinctions between art, craft, and design.