Before They Build™

The Plate Registry

Every illustration, indexed.

Plates are numbered in Roman numerals. Each one teaches a single idea.

The plate is the unit of illustration in Before They Build. Every plate follows the same grammar (perspective, line weight, caption style) so that across a hundred publications they feel like one hand drew them.

  • I

    Neighborhood Cover

    A neighborhood at the moment before the first hearing.

    First edition
    1
    Appears in
    home · h-public-hearing
    Keywords
    neighborhood, porch, cover
    Rights
    CC-BY-SA · Editorial team

  • II

    The Hearing Room

    Where neighbors sit, where staff stands, where the commission listens.

    First edition
    2
    Appears in
    h-public-hearing · p-hearing-packet
    Keywords
    hearing, room, civic
    Rights
    CC-BY-SA · Editorial team

  • III

    Records Counter

    A clerk's desk — the calmest place to start a research file.

    First edition
    3
    Appears in
    h-public-records · h-research-a-project
    Keywords
    records, clerk, request
    Rights
    CC-BY-SA · Editorial team

  • IV

    The Posted Sign

    Yellow rezoning sign on a parcel — the legal notice many residents miss.

    First edition
    4
    Appears in
    h-rezoning · g-understanding-rezoning-signs
    Keywords
    sign, rezoning, notice
    Rights
    CC-BY-SA · Editorial team

  • V

    Evidence Folder

    A six-tab binder — the physical form the platform is shaped around.

    First edition
    5
    Appears in
    record · h-research-a-project
    Keywords
    binder, evidence, tabs
    Rights
    CC-BY-SA · Editorial team

  • VI

    Porch Meeting

    Six chairs, one map, one clipboard — the unit of organizing.

    First edition
    6
    Appears in
    p-community-meeting · g-talking-to-neighbors
    Keywords
    porch, meeting, neighbors
    Rights
    CC-BY-SA · Editorial team

  • VII

    Construction Fence

    A site fence with a permit posted — what to photograph and when.

    First edition
    7
    Appears in
    h-noise-construction · g-taking-good-evidence-photos
    Keywords
    construction, fence, permit
    Rights
    CC-BY-SA · Editorial team

  • VIII

    Civic Atlas

    A schematic of the civic process — the cover plate of the platform.

    First edition
    8
    Appears in
    home · what-happens-next
    Keywords
    atlas, process, civic
    Rights
    CC-BY-SA · Editorial team