The Arthur Mellon Auditorium (ICC Building) 1994
Here is a composite drawing of the first really huge (HUGE) building that i used photogrammetry to measure and draw back in 1994. This work was completed with Ben Frombgen at IAT when we were based in New Haven, CT. We did a complete set of elevations, eleven building profiles (that were later turned into building sections by our client, RTKL) plus a window schedule. It hurts for me to remember how little we charged for this work! But it was one of our first big commissions and it seemed like a lot at the time.
This is also the first project on which I used a laser measuring device. If I recall correctly, we were asked to deliver this project in metric units. I remember being thrilled that the Leica Disto that we bought back then (which was as big as a large box of spaghetti) could switch between units.
I remember also that we had access to a great set of San Francisco based architect Arthur Brown Jr.’s original design drawings (from the 30’s) that were just stunningly beautiful and provided such a contrast to the general level of quality in CAD drafting at the time. Not only was the quality of drafting so great (a beautiful hierarchy of line weights, crisp fluid clarity of description) but the organization of the drawing set was so intelligent and efficient. We resolved to find a way to draw as well with a computer and have been trying to do so since!
Arthur Brown Jr. also designed the san Francisco City Hall and Coit Tower.
