What does the term 'diagrammatic' refer to in architectural design?

The term 'diagrammatic' in architectural design refers to an abstract representation that simplifies complex concepts or processes into more comprehensible forms. It emphasizes clarity and communication rather than photorealistic details or exact measurements.

In architectural practice, diagrammatic representations can include sketches, flow diagrams, or conceptual models that highlight relationships, spatial organization, and functional aspects of a design. These representations serve as tools for both designers and clients to visualize ideas, explore options, and communicate intentions effectively, focusing on essential elements without getting bogged down by intricate details.

Realistic representation, detailed construction, and measured drawings, while valuable in their own right, focus more on providing exact outcomes, technical details, or specific dimensions, which are not the primary intent of diagrammatic illustrations. Instead, the goal of diagrammatic work is to distill information to communicate fundamental design principles in a manner that is easy to understand and visualize.