Photographs often flatten the soul of a space or building, so how can we document space and architecture as it is felt (and not just as it’s seen)?
In my masters thesis, I found that standard photographs failed to capture the lived experiences of the site that would cradle an imagined Baha’i House of Worship for Canada. Accidentally discovering the qualities of graphite dust on a warm, dry, and bright afternoon, I turned to this medium to unflatten photographed timelapses to produce vignettes that prioritized atmosphere, movement, and human connection over technical accuracy.
In this talk, I will share the evolution of the technique of “painting with graphite”. Taking cues from architect Peter Zumthor’s evocative block studies, we will explore how these vignettes served as design prompts - moving beyond the visual to capture the embodied and emotional impressions of architecture.