SCALE MODEL USES AND TYPES

What is your model going to be used for?  Knowing the use of the model helps us visualize the final product while we are discussing the details. Often times we can produce a cost saving, simpler model and still get the needed points across.  We need to know who the audience and what they are looking for.

Mass Models
One great example of the use of a mass model is for a design review board meeting. Perhaps the relative heights of the surrounding structures is the main requirement. This concept is very hard to convincingly convey in an animation or rendering. A scale model showing nothing the building masses will instantly demonstrate the issues and allow the right questions to be asked. Mass models are also used for internal design reviews and study. Going over a project with a client during the design process can be challenging if your client has trouble visualizing based on drawings. A quick and relatively inexpensive model can save valuable time and instantly resolve any elements that are in question.

Detailed Models
Making a model for the general public, the customer, can be a completely different story. When you have an audience that is looking buy, it is essential to show every element that can help sell your concept. At that point, a detailed model is what you may need.

A detailed or “realistic” model shows every design element and color in an accurate fashion. When selling to the public, you can never know what elements will close the deal. Perhaps it is the location of the swimming pool or the view from the balcony or access to retail space. Including all of the important marketing highlights of the model is essential to successful sales.

Semi-Detailed Model
Often the premium sales tools are desired but the budget just isn’t there to afford that kind of work. We often bid a project as a full detailed model only to find out that we need to make compromises to hit the numbers. Your model maker can guide you to areas that can be simplified without losing the character of the model. Perhaps instead of clear reflective windows, we make them from a grey opaque material saving us a layer of information. Perhaps the textures of the brick or siding are not as critical as the color, eliminating another layer and saving us more time in construction. These choices must be carefully selected and written out specifically in the bid so that everyone is on the same page and understands what the finished product will look like.

What size will your model be?
Don’t worry about the scale of the model at this point, just think about the size. Points to consider when picking a size include: Where is the model going to live? Will it be in the same place for the entire sales cycle or will it be moved? Will your audience come to the model or do you have to bring the model to a trade show or boardroom for the presentations?

Answering these questions will help to put an overall size on the physical model and determine the type of case needed for shipping and presentations.

It may even be necessary to build a model in sections, each section shipped in easy-to-handle, rolling cases that are light enough to be taken to meetings and assembled on site. If the model is being displayed in a showroom or trade show, a heavy wooden case with pallet skids is more appropriate for safe travel. We have also built models that fit in a small suitcase-sized case to be carried onto an airplane for safe travel around the country.