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Architect model builder1/31/2024 ![]() I love talking about architecture models soo much here are a few pointers to consider when building your next model… 1. A Few Tips for Building Great Architecture Models Most importantly, no matter what kind of model you build, you always need to use a fresh sharp blade. For my recent foam core model, I used the olfa for 85% of the work, but the Exacto cut all the doors and windows beautifully at ¼”. Exacto’s strength is in the details and it’s sharp as hell. The Olfa 9mm Knife is an amazing all around utility knife. I actually subscribe to both schools of thought. But really, the items above are my essential model building tools.ĭuring college a lot of people would argue Exacto vs Olfa knives. There are other things I used like tweezers, nail files, canned air, a million types of glue and adhesives, and I could go on forever. ::ahem:: You can basically take over the world. There are a million types of little scissors on the market but i always preferred the fiskars products because they are very well made and will stay sharp for years. Little scissors are perfect for when whatever your cutting is too labor intensive to cut with a knife. In the long run the cutting mat will save you tons of money in knife blades. It will also protect the surface you are working on. The Self healing will absorb the knife tip without dulling it like if you were cutting ontop of another surface. Small metal rulers are easier to maneuver and are frequently this size of ruler that gets used the most.įor those moments when the little guy doesn’t cut it. Check out my blogpost where I break down all types of glue and tape used for building architecture Models. The Elmer’s glue you used as a kid is crap, you can also throw that away with your box opening tool. Glue Syringes are gold for accessing hard to reach areas of your model.Īs far as all-purpose white glue, I prefer SOBO glue, but there are many other great tacky glues on the market. It’s not necessary to hold a year’s supply of glue in your hand every time you glue something. I have built so many models with this tool, I can’t even think about how to do stuff without one. I like to put some masking tape on the backside to help it grip onto the material better. This tool can quickly draw 90 degree angles and make sure everything in your model is straight and plumb. ![]() This is the miniature version of a Carpenters square. The X-acto is wayyy to dangerous to be used as an all around utility knife. Nevertheless, it is by far the best tool ever invented for cutting tiny details. They are insanely sharp, very dangerous and I have hurt myself with them. I have always been scared of the exacto knives. In the last few years Olfa started making these black blades and they are significantly stronger and sharper then the regular blades. I love how the top blades snaps off so there’s no excuse for not having a sharp tip. I really like the fact that the length of the blade is adjustable, because sometimes you need a 2” blade to cut into insulation or super thick foamcore. This is my general all-purpose knife that pretty much gets used for everything. These are my core basic tools I use for building models: That old utility knife with the blade that hasn’t been changed in 6 months has no place being anywhere near an architectural model. Your cake is only as good as the quality of ingredients you put into it. Here are a few things I did when building architecture models that really upped the ante. It just takes a lot of practice and patience. Anyone can learn it. Building great architecture models is a skill. After all design decisions were finalized the very last step of the semester always involved building a museum quality architecture model of my building. They usually could have been mistaken as the work of a 5 year old.Īs the semester progressed and I learned more about my design solution, the quality of the models started to evolve. In the beginning of the semester, the models were frequently abstract and crude. ![]() Typically in a design class I used models to express myself every step of the way. Building real life models was really was how I communicated best. Most people are good at drawing, some can render really well, recall history, and a few people were amazing at making buildings inside a computer. In architecture school, everyone has their own strengths. I have been soo busy with the Architect Registration Exam, I actually forgot how happy I can get about cutting foamcore with a very sharp knife. OK, I'm being dramatic, but building architecture models was something I always took alot of pride in. Thankfully, I quickly learned I still have the skills of the accomplished model builder I once was. Last week I built a simple foam core model for a client after several years of not building any kind of model.
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