Der Blog

An alphabet of architectural models refers to a variety of model types and techniques used throughout the architectural process. The following list highlights different types of architectural models, arranged in alphabetical order:

A. Acrylic models: Models made from acrylic sheets, often laser-cut or CNC-milled, providing a high level of precision and detail.

B. Basswood models: Models crafted from basswood, a popular material among architects for its ease of use and fine-grained texture.

C. Cardboard models: Affordable and easily accessible, cardboard models are often used for initial design exploration and massing studies.

D. Digital models: Computer-generated 3D models created using software like SketchUp, Rhino, or Revit, which can be explored, manipulated, and rendered with various materials and lighting.

E. Exploded models: Models that display individual components or layers of a building separated from one another, illustrating the relationship between different elements.

F. Facade models: Models that focus on representing the exterior appearance of a building, detailing materials, colors, and textures.

G. Geometric models: Models that emphasize the geometric or formal qualities of a design, often used to study the overall shape and proportions of a building.

H. Hybrid models: Models that combine physical and digital elements, using techniques such as 3D printing, laser cutting, or CNC milling.

I. Interactive models: Models that incorporate moving parts or elements, allowing users to manipulate or engage with the design.

J. Landscape models: Models that focus on the site and its surrounding context, including terrain, vegetation, and other environmental features.

K. Material study models: Models used to explore and test different materials, textures, and finishes, often at a smaller scale.

L. Massing models: Simplified models that represent the basic volume and form of a building, often used in early design stages.

M. Modular models: Models that demonstrate the modularity or repetition of a design, particularly in projects with standardized components.

N. Narrative models: Models that convey a story or concept, often using abstract or symbolic elements to represent ideas.

O. Occupancy models: Models that illustrate how a space will be used, often including furniture, fixtures, and other interior elements.

P. Physical models: Handcrafted or machine-produced tangible models, made from materials like cardboard, foam, wood, or plastic.

Q. Prototype models: Models created to test a specific design element or construction technique, often at a larger scale.

R. Section models: Models that show a cross-sectional view of a building, revealing the internal layout and structural components.

S. Site models: Models that represent the context and surrounding environment of a project, often including adjacent buildings, streets, and topography.

T. Structural models: Models that emphasize the structural system of a building, showcasing elements like columns, beams, and load-bearing walls.

U. Urban models: Models that represent larger urban contexts or cityscapes, used to study the relationship between different buildings and the overall urban fabric.

V. Virtual reality models: Digital models that can be explored through virtual reality (VR) headsets, providing an immersive experience of the design.

W. Working models: Models used during the design process to test and refine ideas, often evolving and changing as the design progresses.

X. X-ray models: Models that depict the internal structure or hidden elements of a building, similar to an X-ray image.

Y. Yardstick models: Models built at a specific scale using a consistent unit of measurement, allowing for easy comparison between different elements.

Z. Zoning models: Models that illustrate the zoning regulations and constraints of a site, often used during the planning and approval stages.

This architectural model alphabet showcases the wide range of model types and techniques used in the field of architecture, each serving a specific purpose and offering unique