Ediz Djafer

Architecture has always been more than buildings to me.

The Drawing Archive is the result of years of sketchbooks, architectural studies and mixed-media experiments, brought together through a shared fascination with the built environment.

Every print in the archive begins as an original hand-drawn artwork. Whether working with graphite, ink, charcoal or acrylic, my aim is always the same: to slow down, observe and reveal the details that often go unnoticed. From monumental landmarks to fragments of carved stone and weathered ironwork, each drawing is an attempt to understand architecture through making rather than simply recording it.

Rather than producing perfect representations, I am interested in capturing the character, texture and atmosphere of buildings through expressive mark-making and layered materials.

WHERE IT BEGAN

My relationship with drawing began long before I started studying architecture.

Growing up, I spent countless hours drawing alongside my grandfather, who built and painted theatre sets across London throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He also produced large Renaissance-inspired oil paintings in his spare time; his house was filled with paintings, sketches and studies, and I vividly remember discovering pages covered with drawings of column capitals, corbels and carved stone details. Looking back, those drawings probably sparked my fascination with architecture long before I realised it myself.

At school, I naturally gravitated towards both mathematics and art, and it soon became clear that architecture offered a way to combine the two disciplines. During my Fine Art A Level, I began exploring architecture as a subject, experimenting with a wide range of media and techniques that would later become central to my practice.

DRAWING AS A WAY OF SEEING

Architectural drawing, for me, is an act of attention.

Drawing forces you to understand a building in a way that photography rarely can. Every line becomes a decision. Every shadow reveals structure. Every mark records time spent looking.

Over the years, my work has gradually evolved away from purely technical representation towards a more expressive approach. Working primarily with charcoal, acrylic, pen, graphite and monoprint techniques, I build layers of texture that reflect the complexity of the buildings themselves. The physical qualities of these materials allow imperfections to remain visible, giving each drawing a sense of depth, atmosphere and history.

Much of this approach has been inspired by artists such as Ian Murphy, whose layered surfaces and expressive treatment of architecture demonstrated that precision and emotion can coexist within the same drawing.

THE DRAWING ARCHIVE

The Drawing Archive grew from a simple idea: that years of sketchbooks, university projects and personal studies deserved a permanent home beyond folders and studio shelves.

What began as a personal collection has become an ongoing archive documenting my journey through architecture and drawing. Every piece has been carefully prepared for print while preserving the character of the original artwork - the texture of the paper, the layering of materials and even the small imperfections that remind us each piece began by hand.

Architecture is often appreciated at the scale of cities and skylines. Still, I am equally fascinated by the details: a carved corbel, an ornate iron fitting, a weathered window or the subtle geometry of a forgotten façade. These smaller moments often become the starting point for larger conversations about craftsmanship, history and place.

LOOKING FORWARD

As both an architectural assistant (eventually architect) and artist, I plan to continue developing work that sits between the two disciplines.

Alongside my professional architectural career, I want to explore further how traditional architectural drawing and expressive mixed-media techniques can be combined within both personal projects and architectural design. The Drawing Archive will continue to grow as new sketchbooks, studies and finished works are added over time, documenting that ongoing journey.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Alongside The Drawing Archive, I work within architectural practice while continuing to develop my personal artistic work exploring the built environment.

Education
University of Strathclyde: BSc (Hons) Architectural Studies, Second Class Upper Division with honours (2:1)
Currently studying MArch Advanced Architectural Design.
Professional Experience
Comprehensive Design Architects (CDA)
RIBA Part I: Architectural Assistant, 15 months of professional experience working across residential, hospitality and commercial projects throughout RIBA Stages 2–5.
Exhibition
University of Strathclyde Architecture End of Year Exhibition 2026. Lyceum Revival selected for exhibition. (See image ->)
Professional Links
📁 Portfolio: View selected architectural and design work.
📄 CV: Download my professional CV.
💼LinkedIn: Connect with me professionally.
Let's Connect
Whether you're interested in a commission, collaboration, exhibition opportunity or simply want to discuss architecture and drawing, I'd love to hear from you.
You can get in touch via email or connect with me through LinkedIn and Instagram.
Email: thedrawingarchive@outlook.com
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