Expert: Richard Taylor, AIA - 11/12/2003

Question
I've designed a house we will be building, and I'm looking for a source(s) where I can buy materials to build a small scale 3-dimensional model so we can better visualize what the house will look like. It's a very modern design, so I'd like to build a small model first to be sure it's appealing! It will also be built on hillside terrain, so I'm hoping I can convert our lot topo to a model also.

Thanks!  

Answer
Mike:

Thanks for your question!

The materials you need depends upon the level of detail you want in the model.  Most of the models we do in our office are "massing" models, designed to explain the form of the house in 3 dimensions.  For those models we use chipboard and/or foamcore, both of which are available at art supply stores.  For larger models we use 1/4" plywood or 1/8" Masonite for the base (they last much longer that way).

For the terrain contours, we use sheet cork, 1/8" thick.  We purchase our cork in quantity from Sommer Cork in Romeoville, IN.  Their number is (800) 242-0808.

For more detailed models, we use colored mat board, also available from any art supply.  In those models we use boards with colors similar to the actual materials, then add trim pieces, etc. also cut from mat board.  Occasionally we special-order colors from the supply house.  There are also a number of good online art suppliers, including GS Direct, DickBlick, ArtResource, etc.

If you're looking for other properly-scaled items such as vegetation, people, cars, etc., you might try a hobby shop.  Model railroaders have the best "details".

We never use those kinds of details in our office, however.  It's our opinion that the models we build are meant to help us with visualizing the massing of the building and how it sits on the land, and nothing more.  Too much detail at a small scale can give you a false impression of the house.  It's very easy to make it look too "cute" in model form and then be disappointed in the real thing.

If you're looking for something truly realistic, there are quite a few online artists who will do nearly photo-realistic computer renderings for you from your drawings.  You can seach for them online (try "architectural illustrator") or you might contact Dean Eckman at www.dmedrafting.com.  Some of these guys are extremely reasonably priced.

Try this link to our website for a picture of one of our massing models: http://www.rtaylorarchitects.com/portfoliootb/index.html

Good luck with your model!

Hope this helps -

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC