Sketchbooks | Collected Measured Drawings and Architectural Sketches
Many people turned to drawing as a solace during the long days of lockdown, but nobody perhaps will have rivalled George Saumarez Smith for specialist skill. George, a director of ADAM Architecture, is celebrated for the elegance of his work as one of Britain’s foremost classical architects. As a student at Edinburgh University, he belonged to the last year group to be taught the skill of measured drawing as part of the core syllabus and it would become a passion for him.
Sketchbooks: Collected Measured Drawings and Architectural Sketches presents a selection of the drawings that he has made in the last twenty-five years in a series of sketchbooks each of which is named after one of the Roman emperors.
George’s drawings display a supreme mastery that goes beyond technique and assumes the status of art. They constitute a series of concentrated observations on buildings from different parts of the world which unlock the secrets of their design and give insight into the minds of their creators. Simply by applying pencil to paper, aided only by a tape measure and a ruler to measure the building in front of him, George pursues an adventure in the world of built form whose aesthetic beauty will both amaze and delight.
Through the exceptional quality of its design and production values, this unusually handsome book reflects the quality of George’s drawings.
We're thrilled that this event will coincide with the launch of this beautiful book on the 23rd September. George will answer questions from Patrick and there will be Q&As at the end. The ticket includes a complimentary glass of wine on arrival, and £10 off a signed copy of the book at the event (RRP on the book is £40).