Disclosing ArchitectureDisclosing Architecture

The National Collection contains about 1.4 million design drawings, which represent a variety of materials and techniques, including tracing paper, plastic foils and photographic reproduction techniques. The vast majority are drawings on tracing paper, transparent paper that tears easily and is extremely sensitive to moisture.

The collection has a long history – the first architectural archives were kept around 1920 by the Maatschappij tot Bevordering der Bouwkunst [Society for the Promotion of Architecture] and others – and has not always been carefully managed. Architects themselves are not always careful with their sketches and presentation drawings. Drawings are folded like a sheet, causing tears at the fold seams, or rolled up, resulting in damage to the edges. Tears were often repaired with masking tape, which causes paper discolouration and adhesion. In the 1950 to 1970 period, many architects used self-adhesive coloured foils, which were pasted onto the back of a calque (tracing paper) drawing in order to bring more depth to the design. That glue now causes discolouration or has dried out, meaning that the foil comes off.

In preserving this heritage, the manner of preservation is of great importance. Therefore, folded and rolled drawings are flattened as much as possible. Storing them flat is the best option, but takes up a lot of space. The conservation of design drawings therefore also includes an extensive rearrangement operation: the repacking of drawings and the refurbishment of the depots.

Even within an extensive and multi-year project like Disclosing Architecture, it is not possible to restore and conserve all of the 1.4 million design drawings. A reasoned selection was made on the basis of samples and research. In addition to physical content, there are also selection criteria that determine which archives are eligible for treatment, and how much. Architectural-historical importance plays a role in this, but also how often an archive is consulted, its social relevance and its connection with the institute’s research and collection themes, such as diversity, (de)colonialism, the housing shortage, sex and gender, and digital architecture practice.