| Let me explain first of all that I am writing this | | | | work out how many millimetres represent one |
| from the perspective of someone who has had | | | | metre at the particular scale you're considering. |
| personal experience of having to make | | | | We do this by dividing 1000 by the scale indicator |
| architectural models with limited resources. | | | | number. For example, for 1:200 scale, divide 1000 |
| Although I am now a professional model maker I | | | | by 200 and you get the answer 5. Which tells you |
| was once a student at the Welsh School of | | | | that one metre in real life will be represented by |
| Architecture where they viewed models as an | | | | 5mm on the model. So if the area you need to |
| important part of the design process. Through my | | | | model is 100 metres x 100 metres square, your |
| three years on the course and subsequent many | | | | 1:200 scale model would be 500mm x 500mm |
| years in the model making profession I have | | | | (100 x 5mm). |
| seen, or made myself, most of the common | | | | For particularly large sites you will need to use a |
| mistakes people make when setting out to | | | | much smaller scale, say, 1:1000. At this scale the |
| produce an architectural model. Hopefully I can | | | | architectural model will be one thousandth of the |
| help you avoid these errors and save you a lot of | | | | actual size. To work out how many millimetres will |
| wasted time and effort. | | | | represent a metre we redo the sum we did |
| Planning your architectural model | | | | above, 1000 divided by the scale indicator number |
| The first and most important step for any | | | | (in this case also 1000). The answer is obviously 1, |
| architectural model making project is to establish | | | | meaning that one metre on site will be |
| a clear goal for the model. In other words, what | | | | represented by 1 millimetre on the model. A |
| is the model for, what is its purpose, what does it | | | | square site 1000 metres x 1000 metres would |
| need to communicate? Very few people have the | | | | therefore be 1000 millimetres square as a 1:1000 |
| budget and resources to make a model that | | | | scale model. |
| shows everything about their project. It is more | | | | Architectural model making methods and materials |
| realistic to choose an aspect of your design that | | | | For the purposes of this general guide I will not go |
| the model can show well. | | | | into a lot of specific detail on architectural model |
| For example, if you are designing a building in a | | | | making techniques and materials as this is a very |
| sensitive area, a monochrome massing model can | | | | broad area and will be covered in a separate |
| show the overall form and layout of your design | | | | article. Here are some basic rules to follow though. |
| and how it sits in its context. This will give | | | | Be realistic about what you can achieve with the |
| viewers an instant general understanding of your | | | | time, materials and facilities available to you. Don't |
| project. The colours, materials and any other | | | | try and make the model show every detail of |
| detailed elements can be explained through | | | | your design or you just won't finish it. Very often |
| additional drawings, photographs, swatches, etc. | | | | it is students with good model making skills that |
| Another approach is to let your drawings show | | | | do not finish their architectural model, simply |
| the general overview of your project and use an | | | | because their enthusiasm has got the better of |
| architectural model to illustrate one of the detailed | | | | them and they have tried to show too much. Or, |
| aspects. For example you could make a | | | | the model does get finished but it has taken up |
| part-model of a particularly interesting area of the | | | | so much of their time and energy that other |
| building; an entrance feature perhaps or a | | | | important parts of their presentation have to be |
| decorative elevation. Or you could make a | | | | rushed or do not get done at all. |
| sectional model that slices through the building to | | | | It is tricky to get the balance right but it is better |
| show the internal spatial organization. | | | | to be a little less ambitious with the model and |
| The important thing is to start with a clear | | | | focus on submitting a coordinated, fully realized |
| purpose for your architectural model and then | | | | overall presentation. |
| work out what sort of model will best achieve | | | | The use of colour is another area where models |
| your goals. | | | | can go wrong. Sometimes it's safer to keep |
| What scale should the architectural model be? | | | | things monochrome (white, for example, can look |
| Once you have decided what your model needs | | | | quite "architectural" and stylish) unless you're very |
| to illustrate, the next step is choose the most | | | | confident with colour or it's a vital part of what |
| appropriate scale. This decision is affected by two | | | | your model is trying to show. |
| things; how big an area you need to model and | | | | Always present your model on a good, solid base |
| how much detail you want to show. If you need | | | | with a clean edge finish - this acts almost like a |
| to show a big area, perhaps for a site context | | | | picture frame and enhances the general |
| model, you would have to choose a smaller scale, | | | | appearance of your model. |
| say 1:500 or even 1:1000. This is to avoid the | | | | As far as materials are concerned, unless you |
| model becoming too big to be practical. But at | | | | have easy access to a workshop and a |
| these smaller scales you need to be aware that is | | | | reasonable level of experience with machinery, it |
| not really possible to show much in the way of | | | | would be best to work with card or foam-board |
| detail. | | | | or similar, easy-to-cut materials such as Balsa or |
| If the purpose of the model is to show just the | | | | Lime wood. In other words, anything that you can |
| building itself you could consider 1:200 or even | | | | cut with either a sharp blade or junior hack saw |
| 1:100 scale. At these scales you can show | | | | and stick together with conventional shop bought |
| windows, doors, balconies, etc. However, if your | | | | glues. |
| goal is to illustrate a particular area or detailed | | | | And when you are cutting, if possible, try to use |
| element of the building you may well need to go | | | | a square, especially if you are cutting out floor |
| bigger again, say 1:50 scale or even 1:20 scale. | | | | plates or elevations. Keeping everything square is |
| Whatever the purpose of your model, being able | | | | crucial if you want to achieve a neat, crisp finish |
| to understand scales will enable you to work out | | | | for your building. It is also worth investing in a |
| practical, achievable options for your particular | | | | metal ruler as you will find a plastic or wooden |
| project. Many students will already have a clear | | | | ruler will get damaged very quickly. |
| understanding of scales and those who have can | | | | Whether you are cutting with a craft knife or a |
| skip this next bit, but if you are a little unclear on | | | | scalpel, it's better to use several light passes |
| the subject it is probably worth reading. | | | | rather than trying to cut all the way through with |
| Scales are actually very simple. The scale of | | | | one go. You will get a cleaner cut and you are |
| architectural models is a ratio - in other words, | | | | less likely to slip and cut your finger. |
| the relative size of the model to the real thing. | | | | Sourcing materials can be difficult, but your best |
| For example, 1:1 scale (we would say it as "one to | | | | bet is to investigate your local Art & Craft |
| one") would be a life size model. Whereas, 1:10 | | | | shop and check also if there is a hobbyist model |
| scale ("one to ten" or "one tenth scale") would be | | | | shop in the area. These shops will usually have a |
| one tenth of actual size. Likewise, 1:100 would be | | | | good range of materials but do get what you |
| one hundredth of actual size, and so on. The | | | | need early. It is surprising how quickly a group of |
| larger the scale indicator number, the smaller the | | | | students all working on a similar design brief can |
| model, which means less detail can be shown. | | | | empty the shelves of all the best materials. |
| Another useful way to think about scales is to | | | | |