Model Making

The model is a tool that the architect uses to understand, advance, and communicate design concepts. It involves the scaling not only of dimensions, but of texture, color, reflectivity, and other visual phenomena. A model can be used tostudy a certain idea or detail, to present a design to the client, or to enter a competition. To match a model to its purpose requires a mastery of the full range of available materials and methods. In this new addition to our popular Architecture Briefs series, Megan Werner presents the nuts and bolts of model making in an encyclopedic manner, using "concept blocks" to explore thirty-three essential types, including basswood models, 3-D print models, painted models, cast models, composite stacks, flocked surfaces, foam topography, and many other materials and techniques. Each concept block is described in seven categories-materials, tools, applied technologies and alternate methods, tips and techniques, architectural concepts, a related existing model, and suggested alternatives. In addition to this encyclopedia of concept blocks, Model Making includes corresponding appendices that expand these categories and provide supplemental information about materials, tools, and applied technologies, as well as a glossary of design concepts and additional tips and techniques. The book is not only a useful guide to model making, encouraging the reader to make models an integral part of the design process, but also serves as an inspirational sourcebook.