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Robert Ripps book
History of Tribeca Buildings
The Sketchbooks of Mariano Recalde
Mariano Recalde, 28, is from Cordoba, Argentina, where he graduated as an architect in 2005. He moved to New York City in 2008 to work at SHoP Architects on Park Place, where he mostly creates 3-D images of the firm’s projects. In addition to answering the questions below, he agreed to let me post the lovely Tribeca-related sketches (including one of 7 World Trade, above) from his sketchbook, which he posts on his blog. (For technical reasons, the smaller images at the bottom of the page are the ones that you can click to enlarge—and you should! There’s much more detail than is visible in these versions.)
How did you get started sketching?
Honestly, I started studying architecture because I’ve always liked to draw and was too afraid to go into a more fine-art-related career. Probably a mistake, because soon I discovered that hand drawing is more and more rare in architecture these days. Anyway, I’ve never stopped sketching and I do it as much as I can. Also, getting away from the computer screen keeps me sane.
Do you bring your sketchbook everywhere you go?
I try! I carry it a lot more than I actually use it, but being ready to sketch when you find something that you like is the first step. I have a small bag with my sketchbook and some markers that I grab every morning when I leave for work.
What are you drawn to when you sketch?
As a trained architect, urban environments and buildings are always appealing…. But I do love sketching people in the subway a lot—New York is such a great place to find all sorts of characters that it’s hard to resist drawing them. As far as buildings and neighborhoods I’ve been trying to sketch the things I enjoy the most about New York, like the Whitney and New Museums or the High Line, as well as BedStuy, which is where I live right now. And of course the restaurants I like!
On your blog, you say you’re a member of Urban Sketchers. What is it?
Urban Sketchers is a nonprofit organization that brings together all sorts of people around the world that love sketching in location. It has a great website, which I discovered last year and has encouraged me to get outside and sketch the places I enjoy. Seeing the world and cities through hand drawings is a very different experience than what you get out of photographs.
Petite Abeille
Tribeca rooftops
Subway, stroller
Kaffe 1668
Industria Argentina
The click-to-enlarge versions:
7 World Trade Center
Petite Abeille
Tribeca rooftops
Subway, stroller
Kaffe 1668
Industria Argentina
14 Comments
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MARIANO RULES
I like it so much! Congratulations!
Impresionante los dibujos, hacia mucho tiempo que no veia algo tan lindo.
Felicitaciones.
DITTO!
que capo mi hermano!
Muy buenos Mariano muy expresivos los dibujos, sobretodo el de Tribeca rooftops
SAludos desde Córdoba, Argentina.
Cousin, you´re the best!!! We love your drawings.. congratulations from cordoba…
Un beso!!
Eres un genio, hermano!
Saludos desde la lejana Corea. A ver cuándo te venís a dibujar acá!
Congrats!!! I love your work, Marian. All the best from Córdoba!
mi primo es lo mas!!!
GRANDE MARIAN!!!! un beso enorme!
Que groso ! y pensar que yo dije que guardemos ese cuadernito negro porque algun dia iva a tener su precio.. esto fue hace 2 meses atras.. y mira vos …!!!!! sos lo mas
Un genio!!! Un beso grande desde Córdoba!!
I am very happy ..your are lo mas marian!!!