7.5.USA-2-detail-a Canvas Print

USA 2: Detail (a) Highlights Relevant to Sustainable Design:

Preventive reinforcement is more cost effective than reconstruction.
Mills have come to symbolize a time in American history that seems simpler. Mills are often painted alongside a picturesque creek partially dilapidated with some mossy stones in the foreground. This particular mill from the 1820s is appealing because of the large S braces on both sides. The S is made of forged iron and serves to support the walls from expanding outward by holding the end of a long iron rod that is connected to the other side. Often star-shaped braces serve the same function to reinforce walls and double as ornamentation.

You can sometimes see the stars in brick structures, such as the last building in a row of town houses. This idea of preventive reinforcement is not unlike preventive medicine. Overall, prevention is key to sustainability in that it helps reduce the burden of replacement and reconstruction, which adds...

I am pleased to share these graphics as well as the drawings from my travels around the world over the past three decades. The ink sketches are all from field observations drawn on fold-out sketch books, most of which are about seven feet long. Given that there are thousands of images in the numerous drawing books, I hope that you enjoy the work that I have included here from Asia, Eastern Europe, North America, Central America, and many other places. In many cases, the drawings document design and innovation that are not landmarks. Overall, I enjoy seeing and celebrating the extraordinary in the ordinary. About the illustrator and author: Charlie Szoradi is an architect, inventor, and sustainability professional. He is passionate...