James Frazer Stirling (1926–1992) is one of the globally recognized
architects. His career spans from the modernity of the 1950s to the postmodernity
of the 1970s. This essay aims to highlight his lesser-known role as a master of
representation, focusing on his pivotal work, the Bachelor’s Thesis titled “Urban
Center Plan andCommunity Center Development forNewtonAycliffe,” developed
between 1949 and 1950 at the Liverpool School of Architecture.
In addition to consulting his extensive bibliography, access has been granted
to the documentary collection of James Stirling and Michael Wilford. This collection
includes organizational charts, analytical diagrams, field notes, model
photographs, colored floor plans, and conical perspectives.
Based on this documentation, we recognize the level of perfection achieved
by J. F. Stirling even in those early years. This perfection would accompany him
throughout his career, as he routinely used these graphic resources along with
others.
