Applications of glassine paper in architectural design

Glassine paper, with its unique transparent characteristics and texture, plays an important role in the field of architectural design as an auxiliary tool and design element.

  1. Conceptual design and sketching
    1. Sketch communication and exploration: Architects often use glassine paper for quick sketching in the early conceptual design stage. Its translucent nature allows designers to superimpose multiple design layers on a single sheet of paper, making it easy to modify, iterate, and compare different design solutions. Designers can repeatedly trace on the same paper, through the upper layer to observe the lines of the lower layer, easy to achieve the programme of superimposed, erased or adjusted, to help the process of improvisation and creative collision in the process of conception.
    2. Perspective Line Verification: Glassine paper is also used to check the accuracy of perspective relationships. Designers can copy the building plans, elevations or sections to glassine paper, and then through the perspective line tool for perspective projection, to ensure that the design view of the spatial proportions, depth relationships and visual effects in line with expectations.
  2. Working drawing production
    1. Stacking and checking of drawings: Glassine paper is often used for stacking and checking of drawings when making architectural working drawings. Designers can print drawings of different disciplines (e.g. structural drawings, mechanical and electrical drawings, decorative drawings, etc.) separately on glassine paper, and then overlap them together to visually check the coordination and conflict of the designs of various disciplines. This practice helps to find and solve the design conflicts in time to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the construction drawings.
    2. Blueprint production: In traditional architectural design, sulphate paper is used to print preliminary design drawings, which are later used to sunlight blueprints. Blueprints, a reproduction of white lines on a blue background, have long been the standard form of archiving and construction drawings in the building industry due to their durability and clarity. Although modern digital technology has dramatically changed the way drawings are produced and delivered, blueprinting retains its value in certain situations or for specific requirements.
  3. Modelling and presentation
    1. Stencil Cutting: Glassine paper can be used as a stencil material in the production of architectural models. Designers can print precise building outlines or detail patterns on glassine paper and use it as a cutting guide to help accurately cut model components such as windows, doorways, or complex façade details. The translucent template is both clearly visible during the cutting process and avoids obscuring the material underneath, increasing efficiency.
    2. Transparent model components: Glassine paper can be used directly as a modelling material for architectural components that require translucent or transparent effects, such as glass curtain walls, light roofs or specific decorative elements. Through fine processing and assembly, these paper components can simulate the visual effects of translucent materials in real buildings, adding realism and expressiveness to the model.
    3. Lighting Effect Demonstration: When demonstrating the internal spatial layout, light distribution or night lighting design of the model, the walls or partitions made of glassine paper can transmit light and visually present the propagation, reflection and infiltration of natural or artificial light sources in the interior of the building, which can help designers communicate with the client, the jury, and other stakeholders about the lighting design intent.