Introduction to Architectural Drawing (16+)

About this class

This beginner-friendly course introduces students to the fundamentals of architecture and interior design while fostering both technical skills and creative expression. Students will learn to create perspective drawings with depth, use artistic symbols to represent architectural ideas, and interpret essential technical drawings such as floor plans, elevations, and sections.

Throughout the course, participants will work on hands-on projects that encourage exploration, experimentation, and the development of a unique personal style. The class culminates in a final design project that highlights each student’s growth, creativity, and technical understanding.

Perfect for beginners, this course empowers students to confidently combine creativity with foundational design knowledge, building the skills to bring architectural ideas to life.

Class Outline

Week 1

Introduction to Architecture & Developing Personal Style

Topics Covered:

• Overview of architectural history and renowned architects’ styles
• Introduction to architectural symbols and their meanings
• How architectural symbols can translate into personal style

Activities:

• Explore different architectural styles (e.g., Classical, Modern, Contemporary) and sketch personal interpretations of symbols
• Group discussion on finding a personal design identity
• In-class exercises: Quick symbol sketching to begin developing individual styles

Week 2

Perspective Drawing Basics

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to basic perspective (one-point and two-point)
• Importance of perspective in architecture and interior design

Activities:

• Practice one-point perspective through simple object drawings
• Introduction to two-point perspective using geometric forms
• Quick exercise: Drawing a simple interior or exterior scene in one-point perspective

Week 3

Floor Plans

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to technical drawings: Floor plans, layouts, and measurements
• Translating real-world dimensions into scaled drawings

Activities:

• Learn basic symbols and conventions used in floor plans
• Begin drafting a simple floor plan (e.g., a small room or studio)
• In-class exercise: Floor plan drafting with a focus on layout and proportions

Week 4

Elevations

Topics Covered:

• Understanding elevations and their role in architectural design
• Translating a floor plan into an elevation

Activities:

• Draw elevations of a simple structure or room based on the Week 3 floor plan
• In-class exercise: Elevation drafting from selected floor plans
• Group critique: Discuss challenges and strategies for creating accurate elevations

Week 5

Sections

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to section drawings and their role in showing building interiors
• How to “cut through” a building to reveal internal features and levels

Activities:

• Practice section drawings based on floor plans or elevations
• In-class exercise: Drawing sections of a simple space with attention to materials, depth, and scale

Week 6

Mixed Media: Charcoal

Topics Covered:

• Enhancing technical drawings with mixed media
• Techniques for light and shadow using charcoal in section drawings

Activities:

• Apply charcoal shading to section drawings, exploring light sources and depth
• In-class exercise: Using charcoal to add atmosphere and dimension to section work

Week 7

Mixed Media: Watercolor

Topics Covered:

• Using watercolor to enhance elevation drawings
• Exploring expressive design through color and mood

Activities:

• Apply watercolor techniques to elevation drawings from Week 4
• In-class exercise: Painting elevations with a focus on artistic expression and atmosphere
• Optional: Experiment with different color schemes to evoke varying moods or functions in a space

Week 8

Final Project & Review

Topics Covered:

• Finalizing the design project by integrating skills from the entire course
• Review and refinement of personal work

Activities:

• Complete a final project that incorporates floor plans, elevations, and sections
• Class review and presentation of completed projects

Materials needed

VCUarts Qatar reserves the right to cancel classes that do not meet the minimum enrollment requirement. In such cases, any fees already paid will be fully refunded.

We kindly request that you wait to purchase course materials until you receive final confirmation that the class will run.

Items to buy for this class

• Sketching paper
• Watercolor paper
• Pencil set (including erasers and sharpeners)
• Drafting pens
• Tape
• Ruler
• Charcoal set
• Watercolor set (with brushes)

Schedule

Start: Wed, 1 Oct, 2025
End: Wed, 19 Nov, 2025
Lessons: 8
Days: Wednesdays
Time: 6:00-8:00pm
Location: VCUarts Qatar Campus
Cost: QAR 900

Instructors

Nour AlAreed

Nour AlAreed is an interior designer with a BFA from VCUarts Qatar. With over three years of experience in a design firm, she specializes in creating functional interiors with a focus on retail spaces and innovative design solutions.

She has led charcoal drawing classes in collaboration with Katara Art Center and served as a teaching assistant in both Drawing and Interior Design studios at VCUarts Qatar. Her passion for design and education shapes her approach to creating impactful spaces and fostering creative growth in students