Photorealism reveals assumptions and values rooted in architectural culture
Photorealistic perspective images are often disparaged as illustrations and marketing detached from the actual design, even though in reality photorealism is deeply intertwined with architects’ thinking.
FEW ARCHITECTS ADMIT that they focus on photorealistic imagery in their design work. According to the classical concept of architecture, a design is crystallized in orthogonal projections: both schematic and photorealistic perspective images only illustrate what is laid out in the site and floor plans, sections and facades. It is generally believed that photorealistic illustrations make the finished design more accessible to a wider audience. However, due to their comprehensibility, they seem to be moving away from purely architectural content in the direction of popular imagery, marketing and entertainment.
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