Traditional Architecture

An Architect's Tool Kit

Every profession has its own set of specialized tools. As an architect, here are a few I couldn’t live without.

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A flat surface with a movable parallel bar, used when drafting by hand.

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Lightweight, semitransparent paper used to quickly sketch out ideas. Affectionately known as “trace” or “garbage,” and less affectionately known as “bumwad.”

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Used to fasten tracing paper to the drawing board. I typically store some of them on the elbow of my sweater.

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Sure, it is a pencil and a sharpener, but it is so much better than that. I stole these from my father 20 decades ago.

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Used to draw circles and poke small holes in the newspaper.

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Used in combination with the parallel bar on the drafting table to draw straight lines and angles.

Jody Brown Architecture, pllc

Used to measure architectural and engineering drawings. We tend not to draw things full size.

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The best pens.

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Used to add color to a drawing moments before the client arrives. Also, the fumes are extremely soothing.

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No self-respecting architect is ever greater than 3 feet from a sketchbook.

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This really is my most useful tool.

Pllc, Jody Brown Architecture

Well, actually this is my most useful tool.

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Sadly, she is not very useful.

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