sketch on tracing paper (detail)
David Macaulay sketched out this color coded map to envision how the town of Wicksbridge would grow over time. The map hung in his studio. He would reference it frequently as he developed the book.

final drawing, pages 9-10
Access to waterpower was important for choosing a location for a mill. A large drop in the riverbed meant swifter water and made a good site.

three layer sketch, page 66-67
“The stairs were to be enclosed in a large stone tower projecting from the front of the mill…To save the time lost traveling to an outdoor privy, a toilet for each floor was placed in a wooden tower attached to the rear of the building. Chutes from the toilets would empty directly into the tailrace.”

final drawing, page 31-32
“Workers assembled the pieces of the framework on the banks, but before they could be moved into place the riverbed had to be drained. This was done one section at a time, using a temporary dam called a coffer dam.”

final drawing, page 10-11
“the grist mill ground corn and wheat for many of the area’s farmers. It was powered by a large overshot wheel.”

final drawing, page 20-21
The breast wheel was designed to use the river’s power more efficiently. “Instead of coming over the top of the wheel, water entered the bucket of the breast wheel from the upstream side and turned in a direction opposite to that of the overshot wheel.”

final drawing, page 108-109
“The building was to be of brick...There would be three floors aboveground, a basement with natural light, and a large attic. All the windows had to be as large as possible to admit light to the center of the wide floors.”

sketch, page 114-115

final drawing, page 120-121

final drawing, page 124-125