Scale Model making is an essential part of the design process

In my years of crafting architectural masterpieces, I’ve discovered that scale model making is more than just a phase in the design process – it’s where ideas come alive three-dimensionally. Working with materials like wooden blocks and grey board, I’ve spent countless hours transforming rough sketches into tangible 3D representations. Through experimenting with form and spatial arrangements, I’ve learned that precise scale models help navigate constraints while bringing each concept to life. Whether crafting proportionate parts for a furniture piece at 1:5 or 1:10 (5x or 10x smaller), or designing a house at 1:20 or 1:50 (20x or 50x reduction from real life), every project demands unwavering patience.

My toolkit always includes essential items: a craft knife or scalpel for measured cuts on a cutting mat, rulers and steel ruler for straight lines, sticky tape and masking tape for temporary holds, and various types of glue from PVA to UHU. I’ve found that documenting progress while testing different approaches helps in communicating design evolution. Creating neat folds with crisp edges requires careful scoring along pencil lines, while proportions must be checked against miniature figures for scale accuracy. The process often involves managing messy tube adhesives, dealing with off-cuts, and ensuring low-tack tapes don’t leave unwanted marks. Through this intricate work, each mobile installation takes shape, transforming from basic cardboard structures into refined architectural statements.

How to make a scale model?

Step 1: Choosing Your Scale

Select the appropriate scale for your model based on your project’s size. For furniture pieces, use 1:5 or 1:10 (5x or 10x smaller), while for a house, consider 1:20 or 1:50 (20x or 50x smaller than real life). This initial decision sets the foundation for communicating your design ideas, representing them with proper patience.

Step 2: Gathering Materials

Start model making by collecting basic equipment: a green cutting mat, cardboard, tools like a craft knife, masking tape, glue, steel ruler, and scale ruler for precise measurements and dimensions. Having the right materials organized makes the process smoother.

Step 3: Planning and Drawing

Begin measuring and drawing the pieces of your model. Create accurate straight lines using key measurements from your printed or screen plans. Use your card and steel ruler for precise layouts, marking with a pencil before any cutting.

Step 4: Creating Folds

Master the art of scoring cardboard to create perfect folds. Use your craft knife or scalpel to make light score lines along pencil marks. This technique ensures neat folds with crisp edges when shaping your material. For apertures, carefully plan each cut and shape.

Step 5: Assembly

Approach gluing with precision, using PVA or all-purpose UHU glue. Join parts carefully, managing any messy tube spillage. Use low-tack masking tape to hold pieces while the glue sets, then gently remove it to avoid leaving marks. Keep your workspace clean by managing off-cuts.

Step 6: Scale Verification

The true test of your design comes alive when testing it with miniature figures. Place architectural scale figures throughout your model to check proportions. I’ve learned that varying postures of these figures help validate the spatial relationships more effectively.

Step 7: Documentation Process

While building your mobile installation, thorough documenting becomes crucial. I keep track of each modification while developing the work, photographing from multiple angles. This practice has often revealed areas needing refinement that I might have otherwise missed.