Foster backs drawing campaign

Architects and engineers inlcuding Norman Foster and Chris Wise are backing an event to encourage more people to draw.

The one day event called Changing Cities, will take place on 30 September and is part of The Big Draw East: Drawing Things Together.

The event is being supported by expert drawers from Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Expedition, Foster + Partners, make and Future Systems.

The events organisers hope that the art of drawing will help the public get a better understanding at how drawing shapes our world.

As part of the celebrations a competition will take place to promote the importance of drawing in engineering and designing for sustainability.

The Shape the Future competition will ask people to design zero carbon flying machines and the best design will be awarded a prize and will be judged by some of the industries top experts.

On the day there will be a range of activities and workshops with experts including Chris Wise, the engineer whose original wine-bar doodle contributed to the design of London’s Millennium Bridge, who will be giving advice and guidance.

Wise who will also be a judge for the Shape the Future competition said, “Even for a 21st century engineer, doodling gives me design freedom I can’t get any other way. You can invent anything you like and straightaway see if it’s beautiful. For me a concept doodle is like a child – you have all sorts of hope and expectations, and when it grows up into a fully fledged project, it’s amazing!”

The Big Draw East is taking place across East London and is organised by the Campaign for Drawing. The event will mark the national launch of The Big Draw an annual month long celebration throughout Britain, in which over 500,000 people are expect to attend at 1,300 venues.

The Shape the Future competition will take place at York Hall, Old Ford Road, E2 9PL between 10.30am – 5.00pm.