MATERIALS OF

SCALE
MODELS
 Introduction

 Similar to the function of sketches, the

architectural models are three-dimensional
objects which are served as important tools for
the architect to present ideas to colleagues,
clients, and the public.
 With the high-speed development of architecture
industry’s diversification, it is necessary to
produce architectural models as artistic and fast
as possible.
 For the purpose to present the buildings’
structure and other features, the materials to
make architectural models play an increasingly
primary role in model making process.
 Material Type
 Approximately 75% contemporary architectural models were
manufactured using solid block materials like plastic, foam, and
wood or fabricated using purchased sheets of board stock, such
as cardboard.
 Material selection is not only about meeting technical
requirements, but also requires architects’ comprehensive
consideration of its related characteristics.
 The material’s appearance and durability, sensory stimulation
and the user’s experience are the key elements of architectural
model making process.
 Architects’ design vision can be well represented by physical
architectural models and material selection has a huge impact
on how a model feels
 In order to choose appropriate model making materials, the
architects need to take into account certain design criteria to
identify the best materials for architectural models according to
specific applications.
 For example, materials used to create conceptual models are
better to be easy and quick to form whilst presentation models
requires durable, stable and fade resistant materials.
Models made by different material
 1. Plastic

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

 ABS is in widespread use when making

architectural models.
 Because it’s easy to soluble in acetone

which allows model makers to weld parts

together.
 It can also assemble much larger

architectural models than the admittedly

large bed of the printer can accommodate.
 Architectural models made out of full ABS

are extremely beautiful.

 Architectural model made of
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
 2. Acrylic

 Acrylic sheets are lightweight, flexible

plastic and with a better finish.
 Acrylic has good transmittance, hardness
and easy to machining. In most cases, it
can be used to create windows and façade
of the models to make gloss and
fluorescent effects.
 However, this kind of building model
making material is expensive and it has to
be cut and engraved by using laser
machine.
Architectural model made of Acrylic sheets
 3. Polyamide

 Polyamide can provide a realistic

implementation of the complex detail
design for its character of high precision,
firmness and surface smoothness.
 Polyamide material is considered as one of
the toughest model building materials
among all other 3D printed plastics.
 Architectural models made of polyamide
are generally printed with
Selective laser sintering (SLS) printing
technology.
Model made of Polyamide
 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Sheet
 PVC Mirror Sheet is a rigid sheet but it is
not as rigid as glass.
 It became a popular choice of
architectural model making materials
because of its shatterproof and
lightweight properties.
 PVC Mirror Sheet is mostly used for
representing transparent and translucent
areas in the architectural model making
process.
 4. Wood

 Wood and wood-based products are the

most commonly used materials used for
architectural model making.
 It is a strong material with dimensional
stability. The following are the
introduction of some frequently-used
woods.
 Basswood is one kind of Strip woods
with fine grain.
 Basswood has an outstanding workability
and finishing qualities.
 This architecture model material is widely
used to make the architectural model of
buildings and miniature furniture inside.
Architectural Model of window and door
made of Basswood
 Balsa wood is one kind of hardwood
with a nice finish and texture. It can be
cut, painted and sanded easily.
 Balsa wood is one of the building model
making materials to make the structure
and the frame of the buildings.
 However, it is fragile and this character
always leads to material wastage.
 In addition, the slotted surface of balsa
wood people may find it is unappealing
sometimes.
Architectural model made of Balsa wood
 Medium-density Fiberboard (MDF)
 MDF is similar to thick cardboard.
 It has smooth edges, natural color and
easy to work with.
 Nevertheless, this material is relatively
dense and heavy.
 Considering the total weight of the
architectural model and its stability, MDF
is more used as model bases by model
makers
 Cork Flooring
 Cork flooring provides a feeling of nature.
 It is good for making landscape models such as
model hilly sites.
 Cork flooring can also be used as a solid foundation
but better with other materials for its soft and
cushiony surface.
 Other disadvantages that need to be bear in mind
are:
 It is susceptible to damage
 Sealing work is required to protect against water
stains and other damage
 Discoloration may occur if exposed to the sun for a
long time.
Architectural model made of made of
Cork Flooring
 5. Paper

 Cardboard
 Cardboard is a common model making material
and is used extensively when making the models.
 Lots of architectural models used cardboard to
show roads, pathways and certain terrains by
building them up in layers.
 Cardboard is cheap, portable, recyclable and
uniquely flexible.
 It is very easy to use without the need for special
equipment during the model production and
installation process.
Architectural Model made of Cardboard
 Kraft Board
 When making the large-scale architectural
models, Kraft board can be chosen as an ideal
model building material as it is always used to
form the overall structure rather than details.
 In other words, architectural models made by
Kraft board are meant to present the
relationship between the building and the
surroundings.
 Normally, the Kraft board is cut cleanly and
edges cannot be made to look 100% smooth.
 Thus, an architectural model made of this
material has a very strong structure.
Architectural model made of Kraft
Board
 6. Foam

 Foam is extremely useful to make

massing and study models.
 The commonly used foam is Styrofoam,
compressed foam board, and blue foam.
 Compressed foam board is widely be
used as a model base or to make models.
 Blue foam is always been chosen to
shape sculptural form.
 The surfaces of foam can be painted with
any kinds of water-soluble paint.
 Insulation Board
 It is more used to make concept models.
 Insulation board usually has a few of colors, gray,
pink and brown.
 The brown one is rougher and looser thus it is
preferred for site models.
 Architects use this material to make small-scale
buildings for the architectural model of a street or a
town.
 Nevertheless, the architectural models made by
insulation boards are kind of easy to be damaged,
especially the edges and corners due to the fragility
of the material.
 Insulation boards model making process (Image from
internet
Insulation board is light and easy to cut.
 Gator Board
 Different from foam core board, gator board is
easier to build and has a smooth finish.
 It is an ideal architecture model material to make
the quick, large-scale construction of architectural
models since it has a lightweight, moisture
resistance surface and easy to cut with a knife.
 Generally, it is used as a substrate for displays
where light but sturdy scale model materials are
required.
 It can also be chosen as a base plate for wet
materials which require a water-resistant backing
while the coating dries.
House Model made of Gator Board
 9. Glass

 Nowadays, glass is no more only be used

only in window modeling.
 It can also be used to show the water or
to highlight cut edges as a design
element in architectural models.
Water and building façade made of glass
 9.Metal

 When making architectural models, metals are

mostly be chosen to make building façade,
frames, model bases, formwork and other
metal structures.
 In order to enhance the appearance of metal
sheets, the surface of mental needs to be
polished in advance.
 Copper sheet, aluminum and steel plates are
often found being used when making
architectural models.
 Metals are easy to work with and have
remarkable appearances.
Model made of Metal
 9. Clay and Plasticine

 Clay and Plasticine

 In the past, clay and plasticine were used to express
initial design concept since these architectural model
making materials are very easy to shape and knead.
 Clay used for modeling has a fine texture and easy to
smooth.
 It is one of the best materials for architectural study
models.
 Also, rolled into thick sheets, clay and plasticine can also
be cut to make walls for large-scale presentation models.
 When making the architectural model of buildings, the
openings are usually represented by cut-out recesses.
 Other building components can be in made in advance
and applied to the walls to model elaborate facades.
Model made of Clay
 10.Model Plant Materials

 Dark Green Coarse Turf Bag

 The primary use of Dark Green Coarse
Turf Bag is to create low grasses, leaves,
and weeds.
 What’s more, it can help to add texture
and forms a smooth transition from low
ground cover to medium and high ground
cover.
Landscape model made of Dark
Green Coarse Turf Bag
 Forest Green Bushes Bag
 Generally, Forest Green Bushes Bag is
used to making medium to high ground
covers like bushes, shrubs, and trees.
 It is also ideal to make medium to large
trees and architectural model grass.
 This model-making material can be used
for any scale.
Model of landscape scenery made of
Forest Green Bushes
 Flocking
 Flocking is a great base model making
material commonly been used to
represent architectural model grass and
low foliage landscapes.
 It seems to be the easier route than the
static grass.
 Horse-racing course model of
landscape scenery made of flocking
 10.Scenery Elements
 Scenery elements are the ready-made
architectural model components which
include miniature doors, windows,
skylights, other building parts and
components furniture, figures, vehicles,
scale model trees, etc.
 These products add life to architectural
models and offer the clients a
comparative sense of scale.
Scenery Elements like figures, vehicles, trees
THANK YOU…