James F. Stirling: Master of Representation. Graphic Resources Used in His Bachelor’s Thesis Work

Abstract

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.