Sound design, good communication and clear decision making are all at the core of what we try to achieve at WW+P. Models are a great way for all of these objectives to be realised. Therefore, we use models for a large variety of reasons. We want them to be an integral part of our design process – but this is an ever evolving process that we are constantly trying to improve.
Currently they are still used in the main to show the intent of a final idea or an evolving idea and that may go through a number of iterations. But they are also used to test different surface finishes or patterns (at quite large scales) and we have done a number of 1:5 parapet studies and even concrete casts. We have made airport master plans at the scale of 1:2500 and fixing details or surface and lighting experiments at 1:1. Some models are small enough to put in an A4 folder and some are 1.5m’s long.
We try to always challenge the “why” when it comes to model and design. What is the purpose of this model how is it going to help us? And then, how can we make that purpose even more beneficial/valuable to the project. What scale and size should it be, what materials would be most appropriate for the scheme and why? Always why! Can we improve the design? Can we showcase the best features of it and help to explain the reason for making the decisions that have been made?
Architects work with in-house professional modelmakers to make models.
Predominantly, professional model makers make the work for the architectural teams. But not exclusively. Sometimes the Architects support us with more than just drawing and actually help, sometimes they take on the models themselves. This very much depends on the skill/experience of the individual, the quantity of work needing to be produced and the type of model required. The enthusiasm that individuals have for model making can also have quite an impact on how projects are approached. We have recently tried to upskill everyone in how to use the 3D printers as a first step to encourage more making by the architects themselves.
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