Graphic Anatomy - Atelier Bow Wow

by Atelier Bow-Wow

Atelier Bow-Wow has up until now designed about twenty detached houses and holiday villas. An important part of the design process includes the production of technical drawings, which astonish with their level of detail, diversity and spatial depth. This book catalogues 24 designs accompanied by details and elevations and technical specifications.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Art

156 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2007

Reviews

[daddy del · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to seek this book as a source of inspiration for my architectural graphic representation. The cover of the book is really nice, it has this fake-leather embossed material with very striking colour combo - Yellow against bright Blue. The pages are big and descriptions are clear and easy to direct. The detail drawings are mesmerizing, I could stare at a page for an hour just looking at the small little details. This book have introduced me to a big world of sectional perspective drawings. I cannot express how detailed each pages are and I know it is expensive but it is worth the money I paid for. It has a collection of projects, with a thorough explanation. Japanese words are also translated to English. I love this book so much.

[Diego · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 5-star book only held back by few mistranslated words in English. The content is truly something to digest and could be used as a constant reference in designing. One of the difficulties faced by an architect is having a space to experiment while maintaining the best quality for its clients. I think Atelier Bow-wow manages to balance it perfectly.

[Callum Woodford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool - this has been really inspiration to me in the creation of my architecture graphics.

[Aarif Ahmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author references botany and anatomy as a technical practice restrictive of personality (and subjectivity) which produces objective drawings. Depending on who is reading, and how they are reading, this book produces many types of readings.
Building elements are drawing and represented in symbols. Text provides dimensions and identifies elements + programs. Textures and patterns share information about materials and vegetation. People and their objects share the practice of space.
Drawings can be read in a short span (flip-through), a long span, or across different periods of time; Bow-Wow's anatomy can have many interpretations and meanings depending on how we come to the book, our experience with details, construction, etc.

The Essay "On the Behavior of Houses" talks specific projects, types, gestures, and mannerisms of architecture. The index of projects at the end shares simple, beautifully drawn spreads with details to summarize the projects.

"Being able to distinguish each detail in an illustration is evidence that people have seen them, and is at the same time evidence that these objects guide the human eye."