Axonometry: The Grip of Thought on Space—A Short Survey on the Relation between the Act of Planning and a Visionary Visualization Technique

Abstract

Among the tools available to designers to illustrate their thoughts, the most meaningful is axonometry. As testified by its use throughout art history, axonometry was by far preferred for technical explanations, as a three-dimensional proof of functioning and buildability. The relation between axonometric drawings and design thinking is so strong that the former has become the epitome of the latter. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key factors underlying this relation and the reasons why axonometry embodies the project aesthetics. After a brief overview of its history, the practical, scientific and visionary features of axonometry will be outlined.

Keywords

• history of axonometric drawing
• drawing as a tool for design
• visual representation
• descriptive geometry
• history of architecture
• history of cartography