← Representation & Communication
Physical Model
REPRESENTATION & COMMUNICATIONbeginner
Definition
A three-dimensional scaled representation of a building or urban context, made from card, timber, foam, or other materials. Physical models allow spatial qualities — massing, enclosure, light — to be tested and communicated in a way that digital images cannot replicate. They remain essential in design education and practice.
Example
Renzo Piano's office keeps a physical model of every project at the same scale, allowing all buildings to be compared side by side — a discipline that keeps design decisions grounded in consistent spatial understanding.