Tag: architecturaldrawings

Archival Conservation, Cleaning with gels, Paper and book conservation, Paper conservation

Breathing Life Back Into Old Architectural Drawings

When we first unrolled the bundle of architectural drawings, it felt like opening a time capsule. These weren’t ordinary sheets of paper — they were made on linen drafting cloth, a tough, translucent fabric once considered the gold standard for architects and engineers. From the late 1800s until the 1960s, this was the material of choice before polyester films took over. The drawings had clearly … Continue reading Breathing Life Back Into Old Architectural Drawings

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Archival Conservation, Heritage Conservation, Paper conservation

The Evolution of Architectural Drawing Techniques

   18th Century (1700s) Architects in Europe (and colonial America) drafted on high-quality rag paper (often handmade linen or cotton rag stock) using ink and graphite. Drawings were typically laid out in pencil. Then they were “inked-in” for permanence with quill or early metal-nib pens. Tools like straightedges, compasses, and needle prickers were used to transfer outlines[1][2]. Black iron-gall ink (common writing ink) was widely … Continue reading The Evolution of Architectural Drawing Techniques

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