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3D Model → My Architecture Design Journal
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3D Model

What you will need

  • Material of your choice, card, foam board, cork etc.
  • Craft Knife or Scissors
  • Glue
  • Pencil
  • Steel ruler
List


Safety! Pay attention to what you are cutting or you will cut yourself instead. Always use a cutting mat or board and a stainless steel ruler (not wood or plastic) for cutting to avoid the knife slipping.
Choosing Materials
There are a range of materials you can use to create a model. Here are some examples of student work using a variety of materials.

  1. Foam board
© alice clancy
St. Dominic’s Secondary School, Ballyfermot

Properties

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to cut
  • Edges can fray
  • Expensive
  1. Balsa Wood
© alice clancy
St. Patricks College Co. Cavan

Properties

  • Lightweight
  • Difficult to cut
  • Comes in a variety of thickness
  • Works best with wood glue
  • Nice finish
  1. Lollipop sticks
© alice clancy
Mercy College Coolock

Properties

  • Cheap
  • Structurally strong
  • Easy to source
  • Difficult to cut
  1. Sugar cubes
© alice clancy
Mercy College Coolock

Properties

  • Easy to stack
  • Strong
  • Easy to source

Types of models:

Contour Model

What is a contour? A contour is a line on a map that represents a group of points that all lie at the same height. This height is usually derived from sea level.

© alice clancy
Contour context model made by students in Scoil Phobail Bheara in Cork
  1. Use a map to locate the contour lines surrounding your design. Maps can be sourced online from Google Maps and OSI. Alternatively, you can analyse the site and sketch out the levels.
  2. Draw the contour lines onto the card.
  3. Carefully cut the shapes out starting with the bottom layer and working your way up.
  4. Once you have each level cut out, ensure they are in the correct position and fix in place with glue.
  5. The model can be finished by adding in buildings, trees, coastline ect.

Map Model

placeshapersSkerrieslong
Placeshapers skerries mapping thoughts

Alternatively, you can use a context/map model to analyse and critique a space. Print a large scale map of the area of interest. Mount the map on a solid base. Add in surrounding buildings, roads and planting. You can now use the model to map routes, settlement patterns and thoughts.

IMG_5979 Perspective fixed
Placeshapers model mapping routes

Concept model

Use a concept model to develop your design looking at materials, shapes , light, colour and scale it doesn’t need to be something that is realistic it just helps you decide what you like and what is appropriate for your space.
The next step will be to refine these ideas in your model, for this your choice of material is essential to allow you to keep the forms you want and represent your idea to its full potential.
Create and explore!

IMG_3898
Concept model made during the NCAD IAF teacher training

How to: Make a building model

SFL_RB_19
SFL_RB_18

Draw the walls of your building, measuring to ensure that the shape is correct. Cut out the shape in one ‘strip’, ensuring that the walls are attached and open at one end. Score the edges with a blade. Note: Be careful not to cut through the folds. Cut out the windows and doors. This is the most difficult part of the process, so use a steel ruler to get a clean finish. Fold the edges of the design until it begins to take shape, glue or tape into place. Position on the card and draw around to get the floor area. Once you have traced this, you can cut it out. Repeat the steps until all walls and openings have been complete.

These are some basic tips but feel free to experiment with materials and techniques!

SFL_RB_14

How to: Photography

Taking a photo of your completed model can not only document your work but it can also help with the design process.

  • Take a photo of your model, print it out and using tracing paper, draw over the photo adding details and thoughts.
  • Use photography to test the lighting conditions in the space.
  • Architects often make more than one model when designing. Taking photos of your concept models can act like a concept sketch, reminding you of what you are trying to achieve through your work.
  • Collage over your photograph.

Some tips

  1. Take your photos outside, in natural light.
  2. If your testing the lighting conditions in a space, make sure the orientation of the model is correct.
  3. If indoors use lamps to direct the light.
  4. Use a neutral background. Most often architects place their models on black paper.
Exif_JPEG_PICTURE

Useful Images

Print on A4
Print on A4

In order to populate your model with people, print the above image on A4 paper. For best results, print on a piece of white card, alternatively you can stick it onto card once printed.

Getting Started

What you will need

  • Material of your choice, card, foam board, cork ect.
  • Craft Knife or Scissors
  • Glue
  • Pencil
  • Steel ruler

List

Safety! Pay attention to what you are cutting or you will cut yourself instead. Always use a cutting mat or board and a stainless steel ruler (not wood or plastic) for cutting to avoid the knife slipping.

Choosing Materials

There are a range of materials you can use to create a model. Here are some examples of student work using a variety of materials.

1. Foam board

© alice clancy

St. Dominic’s Secondary School, Ballyfermot

Properties

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to cut
  • Edges can fray
  • Expensive

2. Balsa Wood

© alice clancy

St. Patricks College Co. Cavan

Properties

  • Lightweight
  • Difficult to cut
  • Comes in a variety of thickness
  • Works best with wood glue
  • Nice finish

3. Lollipop sticks

© alice clancy

Mercy College Coolock

Properties

  • Cheap
  • Structurally strong
  • Easy to source
  • Difficult to cut

4. Sugar cubes

© alice clancy

Mercy College Coolock

Properties

  • Easy to stack
  • Strong
  • Easy to source
How to: Make a context model

Contour Model

1. Use a map to locate the contour lines surrounding your design. Maps can be sourced online from Google Maps and OSI. Alternatively, you can analyse the site and sketch out the levels.

2. Draw the contour lines onto the card.

3. Carefully cut the shapes out starting with the bottom layer and working your way up.

4. Once you have each level cut out, ensure they are in the correct position and fix in place with glue.

5. The model can be finished by adding in buildings, trees, coastline ect.

© alice clancy

Contour context model made by students in Scoil Phobail Bheara in Cork

What is a contour? A contour is a line on a map that represents a group of points that all lie at the same height. This height is usually derived from sea level.   Map Model

placeshapersSkerrieslong

Placeshapers skerries mapping thoughts

Alternatively, you can use a context model to analyse and critique a space.

1. Print a large scale map of the area of interest.

2. Mount the map on a solid base.

3. Add in surrounding buildings, roads and planting.

4. You can now use the model to map routes, settlement patterns and thoughts.

IMG_5979 Perspective fixed

Placeshapers model mapping routes

How to: Make a concept model

Use a concept model to develop your de-sign looking at materials ,shapes , light, colour and scale it doesn’t need to be something that is realistic it just helps you decide what you like and what is appropriate for your space.

The next step will be to refine these ideas in your model, for this your choice of material is essential to allow you to keep the forms you want and represent your idea to its full potential.

Create and explore!

IMG_3898

Concept model made during the NCAD IAF teacher training

 

How to: Make a building model

SFL_RB_19

SFL_RB_18

1. Draw the walls of your building, measuring to ensure that the shape is correct. Cut out the shape in one ‘strip’, ensuring that the walls are attached and open at one end.

2. Score the edges with a blade. Note: Be careful not to cut through the folds. 

3. Cut out the windows and doors. This is the most difficult part of the process, so use a steel ruler to get a clean finish.

4. Fold the edges of the design until it begins to take shape, glue or tape into place. Position on the card and draw around to get the floor area. Once you have traced this, you can cut it out.

5. Repeat the steps until all walls and openings have been complete.

These are some basic tips but feel free to experiment with materials and techniques!SFL_RB_14

How to: Photography

Taking a photo of your completed model can not only document your work but it can also help with the design process.

  • Take a photo of your model, print it out and using tracing paper, draw over the photo adding details and thoughts. 
  • Use photography to test the lighting conditions in the space.
  • Architects often make more than one model when designing. Taking photos of your concept models can act like a concept sketch, reminding you of what you are trying to achieve through your work.
  • Collage over your photograph.

Some tips

  1. Take your photos outside, in natural light.
  2. If your testing the lighting conditions in a space, make sure the orientation of the model is correct.
  3. If indoors use lamps to direct the light.
  4. Use a neutral background. Most often architects place their models on black paper.

Exif_JPEG_PICTURE

Useful Images
Print on A4

Print on A4

Print the above image on A4 paper. For best results, print on a piece of white card, alternatively you can stick it onto card once printed.