First Year

The first year begins with no assumed graphic skill. Students are introduced to architecture through hand drawing, technical drawing, shade and shadow, basic watercolor rendering, and the global history of architecture from prehistoric times to the present. The goal is not mastery, it is learning what it means to study architecture, to receive criticism, and to shed the instinct to find the single right answer.

Black and white pointillism of The Afghan Girl

Afghan Girl (Steve McCurry) Pointillism | Ink on paper

Black and white sketch of the Notre Dame Jordan Hall of Science

Jordan Hall of Science | Pencil on paper

Architectural watercolor of a proposed Notre Dame boat house.

Boat House | Watercolor

A cutaway axonometric of a Notre Dame chapel window

Chapel Window | Ink on Vellum

A hand drafted and monochrome watercolored plan and elevation of La Rotonda by Palladio

Villa Rotonda Plan & Elevation | Watercolor

A pointillism drawing of branches and leaves

Leaf Pointillism | Ink on paper

A watercolor of White Sands, New Mexico

White Sands, New Mexico | Watercolor

A hand-drafted and monochrome watercolored section of Bond Hall, which was the School of Architecture building at Notre Dame when I attended

Bond Hall Section | Watercolor

A cutaway interior axonometric drawing of Bond Hall at The University of Notre Dame

Bond Hall Interior Axonometric | Watercolor

One-point and two-point perspectives hand drafted and watercolor rendered of La Rotonda by Palladio

Villa Rotonda Perspectives | Watercolor

Second Year

The second year introduces design studio along with the history of ancient architecture, building technology, and structural systems. Students learn to design in plan, section, and elevation and to use the sketchbook as a thinking tool. The classical and vernacular languages of architecture are introduced not as styles to copy but as ideas to absorb. Time management, the ability to receive criticism, and the habit of working from precedent become daily practice.

Details, perspective, and elevation for an architecture school design project of a Tuscan Pavilion at Notre Dame
Elevation, section, and plans for an architecture school design project of a Tuscan Pavilion at Notre Dame

Tuscan Pavilion | Waterolor

An architectural analytique completed as an architecture school design project of the South Bend Archives building and its interior, including floor plans, columns, and decorative statues.

South Bend Archive Library Analytique | Watercolor

A detailed architectural site plan with building layouts, streets, and green spaces, including labeled street sections and elevation views in Lincoln Park, Chicago.
Architectural blueprints of multiple floors of a building, including ground, second, and third floor plans, with detailed room layouts and some outdoor landscaping for a townhouse design in Lincoln Park, Chicago
Architectural elevation drawing of a multi-story building front elevation for an architecture school townhome design project in Lincoln Park, Chicago.

Lincoln Park Townhouse | Watercolor

An architectural floor plan and elevation study of Palazzo Massimo in Rome, Italy.
An architectural floor plan and section study of Palazzo Massimo in Rome, Italy.
An architectural cutaway axonometric study of Palazzo Massimo in Rome, Italy.

Palazzo Massimo Renovation | Ink on mylar