Architectural representation: the image and the sign

The final aspect of architectural projects is nowadays illustrated by computer generated images of photographic quality (photorealistic renders), mostly replacing the old fashioned hand drawn images. Several authors feel that their realism may not convey the desired message to onlookers. We proposed a Web based questionnaire containing 3 tests to assess whether communication, recognisability and engagement were better conveyed by hand drawn images or photorealistic renders. 154 responders took the test, 74% of them were professionals in the architectural field and 26% general public. In both groups, the answers indicated that communication and recognizability were much better perceived in hand drawn images than in photorealistic renders. Engagement was aimed at assessing personal preference towards render or hand drawn images, with an even outcome. It is concluded that architect’s idea and spirit are better conveyed by hand drawn images which are a sort of “sign”. Such feature should be properly taken into account in academic curricula. Photorealistic renders should be used complementarily to show a virtual reality of the project’s outcome.