Contrary to popular belief, scale model building is not merely a hobby for the bored. In fact there is as much science as there is art for it. In other words, there is a substantial degree of knowledge and skill necessary to be competent in the craft which makes it pretty much a profession. In addition, the attitude required in order to complete the simplest scale model, whether complete landscapes, architectural models, or ship models, is considerable.
Profession or Hobby?
As a profession, architectural model making have been used as replica when prior to the construction of a full blown or real life object. In other words, it serves precisely the function of a smaller version or replica which guides architectural planners, engineers, construction workers, carpenters, landscape professionals in completing a project. The craft has been a tool since time immemorial and in Ancient times, replicas were even used to plan tactical strategies during wars.
But despite its antiquity, the craft has evolved tremendously over the years and has therefore found more varied applications. For one, the process of model or replica building has been affected tremendously by development of software technologies and other cutting-edge equipment that has also tremendously improved its accuracy and therefore utility.
Nowadays, it is common to see ‘old-school’ techniques of architectural models being combined with computer design application softwares that has not only improved precision but has also improved convenience and speed.
Back to Basics
Despite these significant changes however, the craft of model making still relies on very traditional principles that continue to be relevant to this day. For instance, techniques of replica building still depend on the purpose. If the objective is to create a model of say a large space, entire environments and adjacent structures such as city plans, techniques of block modelling or small-scaled replica are used. This technique utilizes includes less details in the replica in order to overview of an entire area. These technique, which are normally used in landscaping replicas design usually include major landmarks along with features such as walkways, small bridges, pergolas, vegetation patterns and beautification and include not just infrastructures but spacings, walkways, or even general movement but less on finer details like surface quality, color, and contours.
On the other hand when making very specific models of very particular objects, more details are included, semi-detailed modelling may be more appropriate. For instance, when creating of a house or room without landscape or spaces, semi-detailed or working models are more applicable. These type and method of modelling involves slightly more details like ratio and proportion.
Full-detailed 3D architectural models on the other hand is best when trying to show actual objects for instance a specific section of a house like bathroom or bedroom or interior sections of an office building. These models are often needed when making specific renovations or in detailing a particular object. As such, a larger scale model is necessary to show fine details including finishes, colors, furniture and beautification. In some cases, architecture or replica model makers use the same materials to best capture the expected real-life output. Moreso many replica builders, even when modelling larger spaces or objects, have been using full detailed models techniques since, despite the need for attention to very minor details, have become relatively easier due to the use of photographs and 3d rendering softwares that allow artists to more easily capture or represent smaller features of any object.
