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Break down the complex form into its simplest geometric components.
The overall shadow pattern will be a composite of these shadows. A shadow’s profile is
continuous, except where interrupted by a surface in light. A shadow’s profile changes
direction with every change in form that receives the shadow. When the observer looks
at the end of a straight line so that it is seen as a point, then the shadow cast by that line
appears as a straight line, regardless of the form of the surface receiving the shadow.
The shadow of any straight line on a plane surface can be located by finding the shadows
of the ends of that line.
Shadows of curved lines can be determined by 45 degree projections of critical points.
The purpose of shades and shadows in the rendition of site plans is threefold:
•To indicate the height of masses above the ground plane
•To provide a contrast in value to emphasize the building form
•To indicate significant changes in topography.
Shadows are used in plan drawings to aid our perception of the depth of the space being
portrayed. The intent is not to render the actual condition of sunlight at a specific point
in time. The shadows cast by the cut elements and objects within the space merely give
us an indication of their height above the floor or ground plane.
In section drawings, shadows
are cast by wall, floor and roof
elements, which are cut, as
well as by projecting elements
within the space. The depth of
the shadows cast by the cut
elements depend on how far
the cut is in front of planes
receiving the shadows.