Model Builders Inc Blog

Architectural model iterations are often the key to design success

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 @ 09:46 PM

"Iterations: John Ronan's Poetry Foundation" is a 2013-2014 exhibit at the Art Institute in Chicago that shows how he uses a series of sketches, models, and digital designs in his design development of the award winning Poetry Foundation building in Chicago. The sketches and models are used to explore options in the beginning and review them with the client before the final detailed digital design is done. This iterative process helps to give more thoughtful consideration to how the various elements should be integrated together.

Some architectural firms do all of their work digitally on the computer. However with only digital images the client may have trouble visualizing the relationships between elements and how big things really are.

multiple modelsDifferent model iterations of the interior interrelationships

Many architects, like John Ronan, find ideas initially intuitively flow better from the brain to hand sketches. Later they do the digital design for the precision needed to finalize the design.

Ideas were initially shown as hand drawn diagrams and quickly bonded to cardboard. Then various rooms were connected in multiple different configurations so they could be compared in three dimensions to better visualize how the key elements worked together. Should the key elements like the building and the garden be interlocking or overlapping layers? Use of the models helped determine the site plan. Once the site plan was determined then more sketches and models were used to evaluate different iterations of the location of other elements in the building such as the library and reading room. In this particular case the garden became central to the development of the building's program and design.

Poetry Foundation site model

Site model - Poetry Foundation is the tan/green/gray area in the middle

The design at that point was ready to put onto a model that showed the surrounding buildngs. First a satellite image of the site and surrounding buildings was put down. Using cardboard and paper sketches the new design with the surrounding buildings shown in three dimensions was created. This helped to determine that the building design should be anchored with a large entry to the garden at the corner of the property.

Exterior screen wallTwo of several exterior screen walls - the perforated one at the top was chosen

The roofless courtyard garden is separated from the street with a two story screen on two sides at the site perimeter.  Models were made of different screens.  An oxidized black screen with holes was chosen to separate the garden from the sidewalk on the north and east sides. It provides views of the garden from the street while making the garden more private while standing in it. As you walk forward along the building the exterior is all glass which helps to connect the garden to the interior. Inside the building a ribbon of Baltic birch plywood helps to connect the mostly open plan interior rooms.

Presentation modelPresentation model - Basswood, cardboard, and Plexiglas

Here the roof has been removed and in this model there is more interior detail. These models were developed by the architect as part of the design process. Models help the architect to communicate better on design decisions with clients who often don't visualize the design well in three dimensions as it progresses unless they see a three dimensional model. These models help to make sure the client understands exactly how the building will look before it is built with no surprises.

For  information on seeing this exhibit click on http://www.artic.edu/exhibition/iterations-john-ronan-s-poetry-foundation .

Model Builders, Inc. is known for working closely with architects to interpret their design intentions as clearly as possible into a three dimensional model. Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

Tags: site model, architectural model, architectural models, architectural model builder

6 reasons to use a white architectural model

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Sun, Dec 29, 2013 @ 06:27 PM

 White architectural models are favored by architects for a variety of reasons. 

1) An architectural competition often requires submission of a white model. This type of model is very different than a presentation model. A competition model is more of a conceptual abstraction and often built with a restricted budget in one or two weeks. The appearance is more lean and mean with less detail. White models if done well enable the judges and the public to clearly visualize the design in three dimensions especially in form and composition. The idea is to express the essence of the architect's intentions to the judges so they can pick the architect.    

2) The architect wants to show a model layout as a pure form. It may be easier to visualize the placement of structures and their context within a site. It is especially useful before final decisions are made on the colors and finishes of external materials. You can even use sunlight to show how shadows are cast across the site. Master plans are often depicted in white.

Hospital complex white model resized 600

 This hospital complex model is 30" X 45" X 6.5" high in 1/32" = 1'-0" scale

One color in addition to white is sometimes used in contrast to effectively highlight a specific feature of a model.  For a resort model the architect may want to emphasize the water areas by making them blue.

3) It is usually quicker and less expensive to make a model using white mat board or foamcore like materials.  When buying a unit in the complex shown below the buyer can more easily visualize where the unit they are interested in is located within the complex and a more detailed model may not be necessary. Also the exterior colors and other details can be shown less expensively in adjacent renderings than in the model. The model was used to get approval from the city and help with the sales effort.

Residential buildings resized 600

Residental buildings

4) White models are often preferred to use early in the design process. The architect may just want to test the scale and see how it looks or do multiple models to further develop a design or compare variations of the design.  Architects like John Ronan use a series of models starting with a simple massing model of the exterior to review with the client and gradually develop the final detailed design and materials of a building. Colors and specific materials are often chosen in the middle of the design process and not at the beginning. See http://www.artic.edu/exhibition/iterations-john-ronan-s-poetry-foundation .

For some projects we made quick study models for an architect that are simply black and white printouts of elevation and plan views bonded to a three dimensional model shape made with white mat board, foamcore or plastic. The architect might use those models to show two different designs of an attached garage for example. Clients usually can visualize the difference better if shown the alternatives in three dimensions and make a quicker decision.

5) To develop skills and experience in making architectural models.  For young adults, even some college students and new architects there is even a new Lego Architecture Studio product, a 1,200+ piece set of monochrome white bricks. The kit is a useful to create "natural lines and shadows that can more accurately represent architectural shapes and form." The kit comes with a 268 page book with real case studies from six different professional firms - REX architecture, Sou Fujimoto, SOM (Skimore, Owings and Merrill), MAD architects  Tham & Videgard and Safdie Architects. These firms show how to explore some of the the theories and concepts of symmetry, mass, density, use of negative space, repetition and more.

6) Sometimes the final structure is white. Also this complex building would be much more difficult to imagine in drawings than it is as a model where you can walk around it and see how different it looks from every angle.

Malmo Turing Torso Tower - Calatrava

The Turning Torso tower in Malmo Sweden. Architect: Santiago Calatrava.

Model Builders, Inc. is known for working closely with architects to interpret their design intentions as clearly as possible into a three dimensional model . Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

 

Tags: architectural model, architectural models, model builders, model maker, model makers, model builder, topographic model, architectural model builder, topographic models

To build a topographic model what does the model maker need from you?

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Thu, May 02, 2013 @ 09:28 PM

Whether it is called a topographic model, a raised relief model, a terrain model, a stepped model, a site model or a landscape model the model maker who is going to build it needs to get information from you. This blog should help you understand the questions that you can help answer in order to get a quote for a model that best meets your requirements.

1) What is the purpose of the model?

A site model shows buildings and usually roads, parking lots, cars and landscaping.  Landscape architecture models focus on trees, plantings, grasses, any structures, water and any unique landscape features. A topographic model shows shapes, elevations and any features of the surface like a cliff.

Telluride Topographic model resized 600

Telluride historic sites and ski trails model

Maybe the purpose of the model is to show a trail and key stopping points on a site. Maybe the purpose is to show property locations on a resort, a home development site or an office park. The model maker may be able to enhance the model if you share the purpose of the model. 

2) Do you have drawings and if so in what format?

Sometimes clients think that a model maker can work from an illustration of a site. In fact we may be able to.  If necessary we can work from hand drawn contour lines with their elevations printed on the lines. However it will take longer and cost more money to manually do this and the original illustration may not be very accurate. You may also want buildings and roads on the site and that may be hard to do accurately with an illustration.

If the site hasn't changed for a few years we may be able to find the topographic contour lines with their elevation for that site on the web. If it is a large area we sometimes use US Geological Service (USGS) maps or files.

If the topographic data can be sent as a .dwg or .dxf computer file that is the best first step. We can also produce models manually and it helps if you have a set of drawings in the scale of the model.

3) What is the scale?

Determining the maximum length, width and height of the site to be depicted along with its highest point (be it a mountain, a tree, a building or a bridge) is the starting point.

Next consider how big you would like the model to be. If you want 4 city blocks (maybe 800' long X 800' wide total) and the model is 2' X 2' then the scale is 800'/2' = 1:400 or approximately 1/32" = 1'-0".  In that scale a 6' tall person is 6/32" tall or about 1/5 of an inch tall. In  that scale a 40' high tree is 40/32" or 1 & 1/4" high. By comparison a HO Gauge train set scale is a ratio of 1:87. Maybe you want a bigger scale like 1/87 to get much more detail than you would at 1:400. Doll house scale is normally 1:12.  Common scales for commercial buildings are 1:48, 1:100 or 1:200.

The model maker can make practical suggestions but it helps a lot if you have thought out what the scale should be to show area and the level of detail you want. If you want shutters on a house in 1:500 scale you may as well print them out on a piece of paper because that is about how thick they would be in scale. We made a 90" X 90" topographic model at a scale of 1"=5,400'. At that scale we decided to use sand grains to depict the trees and add some dimension.  We painted the trees green.

4) What is the distance between the highest and the lowest elevation?

Knowing this distance helps to determine the thickness and hence the cost of the material like polyurethane foam that the terrain is cut from or in some cases the number of layers of sheets of material need to cut and stack.

5) Do you want to exaggerate the vertical scale? 

Once you get to a smaller scale like 1:1200 or 1"=100' then a topgraphic model may look flatter to the human eye than it would in real life. For a 44 acre hilly site of a 36 hole golf course that was depicted in a 4' X 5' model we exaggerated the vertical scale 1.5 times to make it look more like it does in real life.  For a 4' X 5' model of the mountains in Telluride, CO however, we did not exaggerate the vertical although the model scale was 1:9000.  We did a cross section drawing first of the model and the terrain was so steep it would have looked way too steep to the human eye if we exaggerated the vertical.

6) Do you want a stepped or smooth topography? If stepped how high is the step? 

36 hole golf course resized 600

Contour steps

For detailed landscape planning or for engineering purposes on the site, especially during planning or construction, it may be desirable to show the contour with steps where each elevation line is depicted as a step above or below the next one. Above is a model of 44 acres where a former waste site is being turned into a sports center that includes a 36 hole golf course. Contour lines can, if desired, be added between those on the drawings to show more steps.

A smoothed surface normally means that the model has been sanded to change the steps into a smooth realistic surface. If the architecture of a building is to be emphasized you probably should have a smoothed surface or very thin steps.

7) Do you have a landscape plan?

Maybe your landscape plan is a forest that shows the terrain with tree locations, ponds, and roads on a US Geological Survey Map. Maybe it is a formal garden drawn by an architect with specific plants and flowers.  Maybe it is the layout with terrain of a golf course or ski trails.

 garden 1:500 scale

This garden is 1:500 scale.

The topography may be interesting but the quality of the painting, the landscaping, the realism of the model trees as well as buildings and all the other surface details are what make a great topographic model standout.

On a topographic model of Telluride, CO we suggested to the client that they have us add numbered ski trails and lifts in addtion to the historic sites they had requested. We think that helped to engage many of the model viewers.

8) Do you want to add buildings, roads, rivers, waterfalls, train tracks or anything else like names added to the topography?

 For one 4' X 8" topgraphic model raised railroad tracks helped to define the western border of the model and help to orient the viewer.  For a 1:64,800 model of part of Maine the roads were crucial to orient the viewer. We scribed the roads into the surface to help them stand out in the model. To make the area more interesting we detailed the heaths, bogs, marches and other terrain.

maine terrain

The final model is often best if it is a collaborative effort between you and the model maker.  Model Builders, Inc. is known for creative, economical, realistic topographic models. Take the next step by contacting us at Model Builders, Inc., 773-586-6500 or info@modelbuilders.net .

Tags: site model, architectural model, architectural models, topographic model, architectural model builder, topographic models, terrain model

5 Reasons to use an architectural model

Posted by Hal Chaffee on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 @ 10:04 AM

Architectural models are three dimensional models created to show scale physical images of buildings. Most people have seen architectural models but may never thought about how they could be used to benefit their projects.

Here are 5 uses for architectural models that architects, project managers and sales agents could consider for their buildings.

1. The most common use of an architectural model is to help visualize in three dimensions the scope of a building project and to communicate the layout and spatial interrelationships. Having a model of a project makes it easier for people who may not be able to imagine what a flat two dimensional blue print or illustration looks like in reality.

NMFPrenticeinterior2004DSCN9190

2. An architectural model can be used as a sales tool. This could be for selling a condominium in a new construction project so that potenial buyers can see where their unit would be located. It could also be for people selling tickets in a stadium, arena,auditorium or theater so that the buyers have a better idea of where the seats are.

3. Potential investors and donors are powerfully impacted by a three dimensional model of a construction project. The model makes the project real, inspiring understanding, enthusiasm, and confidence. Models demonstrate that the proposal is serious and the results will be both workable and attractive - qualities that influence the willingness to invest.

architectural models

                                                Shakespeare Globe Centre - London

4. A model is often used as a site map for larger complexes like an airport, convention center, or amusement park to give people a better reference point as to where they are in a complex and how to get to where they want to go. In a large multistory space such as a hotel, hospital or convention center a cutaway model makes it easy to orient oneself and figure out how to get to the desired location.

5. Finally, architectural models are used in the construction permit and approval process. Having a model present at permit meetings allows regulators to see exactly how the project will impact the surrounding area and may make it easier to get necessary approvals.

These are just a few of the interesting and useful ways that models can be used to promote, inform or educate others about a building property. If you would like more information about getting an architectural model done for your project send an email to: info@modelbuilders.net .

Tags: site model, architectural model, architectural models, topographic model, architectural model builder, terrain model