Drawing without Paper and Building without Buildings: Large Representations in the Field

In Chapter 2, the idea of a mock-up is examined in three built projects by architect Bijoy Jain/Studio Mumbai, in India. In particular, the architect’s unconventional practice is considered to be a mock-up-driven approach to design, as exemplified by the unusual roles of the traditional design team, including the architects and builders. In the three documented projects what is evident upon examination of the design process is an unusual embrace of large scale conventions, including sketching at full scale on the site, constructing full scale flashing details in the courtyard of the studio, and asking the carpenters themselves to keep sketchbooks and compose reconfigurable large scale drawings on plywood, prior to construction.