A Short Depiction Of Architectural Design Model Making Through The

Mankind has used the architectural model for his designs dating back to the beginning of the written word. Making a brief history of architectural model making would require a summation of events that scrolls back to the beginning of recorded history and spans into the present. The monuments of architecture and military achievements of today were first displayed as small scale models for numerous reasons.

In many ways, designing on a small scale first proved most cost effective. Designers could improve upon the architectural design without having an unnecessary expenditure of valuable resources. This was effective in the design of military battlements, fortresses, weapons such as the large catapult, monuments and buildings or building like structures.

Just as it is done today, architectural models served the purpose of presenting a design or plan for review and approval. Obtaining financial backing even then, was reliant upon having an accurate architectural model that displayed the impressive features of the intended design. Only once this was in place could the project be assessed for financing.

Even Leonardo DaVinci was fond of the architectural model. It was a useful way for him to present his theories, sketches and designs in a working fashion. These often helped him proved to anxious employers that his ideas were taking a solid and useful form.

The evolution of the architectural model has come about due to the affordability and availability of viable materials that could be manipulated to serve the purpose. The development of plastics provided an inexpensive basis for design. Today, 3D software can present architectural models that come replete with data that the more traditional models cannot without the existence of a secondary report. These do not however, have the full visual appeal of a physical model and are best used in conjunction with an scale model that is made with tactile materials.

A brief history in architectural model making will reveal that the architectural model has always served the same purpose. It is a key visual tool in bringing the design to possible financial backers. It has been this same even in the farthest reaches of history. The architectural model has been and will continue to be the first solid presentation of worthy designs.