Model Making Poster

This is a poster summarising my view of the model making process. Models can show the concept, construction, context and details of a particular building and are therefore key elements to an architect's design process. A design conversation is consequently created through this iterative process.

Fisher House by Louis Kahn 1:50

The Fisher House at 1:50 scale shows the aesthetic details of the house. Not every minuscule detail can be modelled so a focus on the scale and space size was chosen. 

This meant modelling key features like the room divisions, stairs and inbuilt features like the seat, but omitting details like furniture and window frames. 

For the sleeping-quarter square house, the floor plan was more complex, so the levels are stacked to form the model. This allows each level to be taken off and viewed as a floor plan (which is the most effective way to gain an image of the inside of this house).

The second house consists of a basement and double height space ground floor. I thought this idea of space and engagement to the landscape through the larger windows was better communicated by dividing the model up differently. This part of the house is divided into three vertical sections.

Although not every detail was included in this model, particular attention was paid to the inbuilt seat at one of the windows. 

Fisher House by Louis Kahn 1:200

This model of the Fisher House is at a 1:200 scale. This scale allows details of the landscape to be viewed in conjunction with a simplistic model of the house. 

The trees, contour lines and house are of equal importance to the model. Therefore I have used Balsa wood throughout to give consistency and avoid emphasising a particular feature of the model.

Frosted, perspex windows are used to show how the building interacts with its natural environment. Unlike the balsa wood, they do not create a barrier between the inside of the house and the environment. I have frosted the windows (with sandpaper) so that its context remains the focus of this landscape model.

Barcelona Pavilion by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 1:200

This is a model of the Barcelona Pavilion (at 1:200) by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. This building is simplistic in its rectilinear form, and reflects an open style plan suitable for an exhibition space. 

Balsa wood and perspex has been used for the entire model to reflect its simple, classic style. 

The contours are rectangular and regular in their shape, reflecting the similar shapes in the floor plan of the Pavilion. 

Concept Models

The following concept models were completed as an in class activity to improve our basic model making skills. Concept models are important to an architect's design process, because they allow an idea or shape to be viewed in 3D. this differs greatly to drawings or sketches which do not communicate the same tactile concepts. 

This concept model shows two conjoined houses, a similar idea to Louis Kahn's Fisher House. It represents an concept or a potential idea rather than an actual space or building. Concept models, like this one, can be further developed with sketches or drawings to form spaces or buildings.

The following concept models used a common shape from which three different designs were created. They explore how a single shape can be used both in positive and negative space to create two different concept models.

This model is inspired by oragami, that is, a single piece of cardboard is used. The shape has been cut out, creating its negative space, but folded in a way to give dimension and structure.