Between the Layers. Transparent Paper as a Modernist Architectural Design Environment

This chapter describes the transparent paper and its operative and theoretical contribute to architects’ education and practice between 19th and 20th century. Dedicated literature on the topic is currently lacking and many of the sources analyzed refer to impressions and individual attitudes. Anyway, the chapter provides a first, deductive reconstruction of the multifaceted relationship between architects’ and transparent paper, a favorite medium. After an historical summary on the techniques for manufacturing, it overviews how the practices of designing, drawing and reproducing were affected by the diffusion of cheap transparent paper. It analyses the use of transparent paper in the architects’ daily practice and the diffusion of layer-structured analysis and design tools it inspired, in parallel with the mounting quest for transparency in architecture and media. Transparent paper is then analyzed as a peculiar medium and analogic design environment capable of addressing the choices of the architects. The chapter provides insights about how a new tool is first used as a substitute of the former, generally enhancing efficiency and results, and only later suggests peculiar uses that brings to an actual step forward in the way of thinking and practicing. It also suggests how any further instrumental development, like the CAD mimicking and taking the place of drafting on tracing, can promote a better knowledge of the previous practices.