Odd & Funny Examples
The Getty Center, Los Angeles, CA
Tags: Odd & Funny
Drawing Description: This drawing of Richard Meier’s Getty Center highlights the unexpected placement of a black sculpture of a naked, reclining lady right at the entrance, in front of the sleek, off-white, curved building. The contrast between the bold, sensual figure and the building’s modernist purity adds a playful, humorous tension. The juxtaposition challenges the formality of Meier’s design, turning the entrance into a dialogue between the raw human form and refined architecture, creating a surprisingly inviting and intriguing moment in an otherwise serious space.
Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA
Tags: Odd & Funny
Drawing Description: This drawing of Lombard Street overlooking San Francisco highlights the contrast between the city’s rigid grid and the curvy, sloping road. While the grid exudes order, Lombard Street stands out as the playful oddity, curving in sharp, unexpected turns. Its refusal to conform to the city’s structure adds a humorous, whimsical twist, making it both an amusing anomaly and a perfect fit within San Francisco’s unique character.
Both/And Examples
SFMOMA, San Francisco, CA
Tags: Both/And
Drawing Description: This drawing of SFMOMA showcases the contrast between Mario Botta’s cuboid, brick-clad form and Snøhetta’s sculptural, contemporary extension. The inset highlights the iconic central oculus—a nod to Botta’s geometric precision—now framed by Snøhetta’s fluid design. As these two architectural languages meet, the building becomes a study in opposites: rigid vs. flowing, traditional vs. contemporary. This productive awkwardness transforms the museum into a dialogue between eras, proving that contrasting styles can enrich rather than dilute architectural identity.
The Broad Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Tags: Both/And
Drawing Description: This drawing of The Broad Museum highlights the interplay between its rigid cuboid form and its flowing, perforated facade. The inset focuses on the oculus—a dramatic inward curve that disrupts the geometric uniformity and adds depth. The curvy facade panels create a unique effect: the building’s appearance shifts as we move around it, challenging the static nature of traditional architecture. This productive awkwardness transforms contrast into a strength, sparking curiosity and redefining the relationship between form and surface.
Formless Examples
The Broad Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Tags: Formless
Drawing Description: This drawing of the sculptural interiors of The Broad Museum highlights the formless, cave-like design of the space. The curving walls and smooth, organic forms evoke the feeling of being inside a natural cavern, with no clear boundaries or traditional architectural features. This lack of defined structure creates a humorous contrast to the usual straight lines and sharp angles of modern interiors, turning the space into an unexpected, almost whimsical experience that feels more like nature than a building.
Walt Disney Hall, Los Angeles, CA
Tags: Formless
Drawing Description: This drawing of Gehry’s Walt Disney Hall showcases its formless, sculptural design, with flowing, fragmented forms that seem to defy traditional architectural order. The sweeping curves and angular metal panels create a sense of dynamic movement, as if the building is in a constant state of transformation. The lack of clear, rigid lines challenges the usual expectations of a “building,” making the structure feel more like an abstract sculpture than a traditional concert hall. This playful irregularity adds a humorous twist, turning the building into a work of art that feels both unpredictable and iconic.
Exaggeration Examples
High School #9, Los Angeles, USA
Tags: Exaggeration
Drawing Description: This drawing of High School #9 in Los Angeles by Coop Himmelb(l)au showcases the use of exaggeration in architecture, with its bold, angular forms and dramatic geometry. The building’s jagged, asymmetrical shapes seem to defy conventional structure, creating an almost chaotic visual impact. The exaggerated swooping curves and sharp angles evoke a sense of energy and movement, making the design feel alive and dynamic. These exaggerated forms challenge traditional educational architecture, shifting away from functional, box-like designs to something expressive, sculptural and architecturally bold.
Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco, CA
Tags: Exaggeration
Drawing Description: This drawing of the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco highlights the use of exaggeration through its striking, tapered form and sharp, angular lines. The pyramid’s towering height and dramatic slope amplify its presence on the skyline, creating a sense of dominance and verticality in the cityscape. Its exaggerated, triangular shape contrasts with the more horizontal forms of surrounding buildings, making it a bold and iconic statement in the urban environment. The pyramid’s unusual geometry challenges traditional skyscraper design, making it a standout example of how exaggeration in form can create a lasting architectural landmark.
