A Brief History Of Architectural Model Making

The architectural model has been with humankind since the inception of the recorded word. A brief history of architectural model making would literally span from the beginning of history to present. Many of the great architectural and military monuments that people take delight in today were once small scale designs.

In many ways, designing on a small scale first proved most cost effective. Designers could improve upon the architectural design without having an unnecessary expenditure of valuable resources. This was effective in the design of military battlements, fortresses, weapons such as the large catapult, monuments and buildings or building like structures.

Like today, architectural models were meant to present a design so that it could be reviewed and approved. Funding in ancient times also relied on having a worthy architectural model. When this was in place, it could be appraised and ideally, financed.

Leonardo DaVinci was fond of scale models and used these to display his newest ideas. It was far easier for him to present his brainstorms to a layman audience with a miniature, working 3D model. This was also a way for him to prove to employers that he was fastidiously working on solutions for their hired out problems.

The architectural model has evolved based upon the needs of man and the availability and affordability of materials. When plastics became popular and cheap, new simpler method and more easily manipulated materials were used. Now, 3D software makes it possible to construct and accurate architectural model, without the use of any physical resources, save IT equipment.

A brief history in architectural model making will reveal that the architectural model has always served the same purpose. It is a key visual tool in bringing the design to possible financial backers. It has been this same even in the farthest reaches of history. The architectural model has been and will continue to be the first solid presentation of worthy designs.