DIN 824

This is an architecture portfolio. The idea for the portfolio came from the discovery of DIN 824. DIN is the Deutsches Institut für Normung, which translates to German Institute for Standardization. The organization is responsible for creating standards for everything from connectors to paper sizes. In fact it was our fascination with international paper sizes (DIN 476, now ISO 216) and the DIN and ISO standards for paper that lead us to DIN 824.

DIN 824 dictates the method they developed for folding A1 sized paper into filing for A4 sized cases and cabinets. In the standards for international paper sizes each size is named according to an uncut sheet, uncut sheets always start at 0, ie: A0, B0, C0 and each subsequent sheet is a mathematically divided portion of that sheet. In addition each sheet size has it's recommended applications, A4 is the closest to letter size, and used for most communications, and A1 is used for either blueprints or drafting.

Working with this size and format is perfect for displaying fragments of projects, and also relates to architecture and using DIN 824 as the method to fold it not only gives it a unique way to present it, but, it also has a definite correlation. Another element to imply DIN 824 was added, we have a graphic representation of the the holes that would be punched into the document to fit it onto the rails of a filing cabinet.