The level of detail of a model is critical to balance for ultimate engagement. In this case, architectural details are subtle so it was important to interpret them accurately to truly experience the architecture. If you look closely at the building facade, you can see the very subtle setback of the glass behind the dimensional […]
To some, a model is a model. There are limitations to what can be done, depending on the scale. We approach the design of our models with the intention of pushing the envelope, breaking the mold of possibility in our field. Even though the scale of this model is relatively small with a roughly .375″ […]
499 Illinois is one of a number of new buildings being designed and developed specifically to support the biotech industry in the San Francisco Mission Bay Neighborhood. The project’s compelling architecture, it’s surrounding public park, and ideal location at the edge of San Francisco Bay formed the foundation for what would become a great collaboration […]
The challenge for this project, a tabletop point-of-purchase display for Callaway Golf Clubs, was meeting a tight deadline. Built in a week, while the designers were still perfecting the details, there was barely enough time for the paint to dry on the way to the airport before handing it off to the designers, who were […]
Can you imagine a better tool than a scale model for rallying a community around a big hospital project? Hundreds of questions are instantly answered. The architecture is understood by merely walking up to the model for a closer look. Renderings are great, but will never deliver the same experience as a physical model. A […]
This piece of Model Art™ was created for the Autodesk Design Museum in Boston. If you’ve never been to it or the one in San Francisco, schedule a Wednesday afternoon, when it’s open to the public, and prepare to be blown away. The museum exhibits the best of their CAD design production, the most cutting-edge […]
This Computer Chip patent model consisted of both vertical and horizontal breakaway sections. The solder balls were magnetized and removable. The green layer was translucent. Other material representations were accomplished by surface-painting acrylic. The acrylic used in the center detail was heat-formed and tinted to simultaneously allow view of the gray exterior and the detailed […]
This is one of nine bus shelter models built for a design competition in San Francisco. At this large scale, we were able to make the shelters with a fair amount of detail and realism, which always helps in a contest. Each of the designs by Foster, Hydra, Stern, and IBA enabled CBS Outdoor to […]
Successfully meeting the technical challenges of this project are what made the finished product so sweet. The tiny metal fittings and clean glass louvers running the length of the shelter had to be flawlessly assembled. Rows of uplights created spots and reflections that would reveal the smallest misalignment or imperfection in the glass (represented by […]
The classic wood model is still preferred by architects who feel that the best way celebrate the beauty of design is to focus on the simplicity of its form. We routinely build models with accurate paint finishes and material textures, but it is always pleasant to return to the scent and feel of wood, as […]
All models have a purpose and this one served to honor a son’s gratitude and love for his father. The source of inspiration was the actual building of their family business, established in 1955. To avoid having the appearance of a toy, the materials used on this piece of Model Art™ had to be true […]
These pieces in the Enphase Energy exhibit were made to show that the inverter works with any manufacturer’s solar panel. We assembled two different ones and featured the inverter on the back under an LED spotlight, alongside an iMac. We then built round bases featuring an electrical connection fitting which allowed the units to turn […]
We started with a napkin sketch, jazzed up the shape a bit, and produced this dynamic display with chase LEDs. We added a series of custom-made components that would communicate the benefits of the product: a solar inverter (two pictured on the roof under the solar panels.) Our efforts contributed towards attracting a significant crowd […]
A few different model making processes were employed in the construction of these components. The main structures were made of painted acrylic. The droplets of ink were CNC machined, polished, and tinted. The yellow form-fitting layer was vacuum-formed, then tinted. These models, like many technical models, were made to “break” apart, providing a clear view […]
We have worked with Beeline Group for many years to produce winning point-of purchase models for their presentations to companies such as Nike and Sony. This model was made for a design competition and, as with all competitions, the designers had to fast track their work concurrently with our building of it. There is nothing […]
One Hawthorne is one of the few new residential development projects built in San Francisco during the Great Recession. This model was detailed and elegant, complete with LED lighting and all materials represented in their proper tone and texture, bringing the experience of the completed project to the prospective buyers while the building was still […]
Forrest came across our website and had a vision for the cover of his self-titled album. We welcome creative collaborations with all types of artists, so realizing this musician’s vision made the project and subsequent photo shoot fun, fast, and quite affordable. It helps that we save every sample and create pieces for rent, as […]
This is one of many models made alongside Apple’s designers and architects. The design standards are always very high and the construction schedules are inevitably very tight, but as anyone who owns an iPhone, iPad, or iPod (or simply steps into an Apple Store) knows, the end result is simple brilliance. We are honored to […]
Reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, this beautiful home in Mill Valley sits, literally, atop San Francisco Bay. The developer/builder asked that we make this model “as realistic as possible,” and we welcomed the challenge, both aesthetically and technically. Features included the interior spiral staircase, fireplace, kitchen, exterior finishes and landscaping, as well as a […]
Quietly hidden behind tall privacy walls, this shared-ownership resort development is a wine-country retreat for the rich and famous. Built for sales purposes, this model was a constant point of reference when sitting down with potential buyers before and after the walk-through of the actual full-scale cottage. Our use of real materials, such as wood […]
In order to commemorate events and holidays throughout the year, Nordstrom wanted to propose different hanging exhibits in its multi-story atrium space in downtown San Francisco. This model was created as a design tool which would enable them to test their ideas out. It is made of white paint finished plexiglass with laser-scored floor patterns. […]
The smaller version of the two pictured here is a sample of an actual product at actual size. It is intriguing to discover the size of our aortic heart valve, isn’t it? It’s huge! In a way, this model looks much simpler than it was to actually make. Any time you start with flat parts […]
This model was built to study the acoustics of the newly designed concert hall. As is evident in the dimensions listed above, it was quite large—large enough to illicit impromptu ‘acoustic experiments’ from more adventurous bystanders! The acoustical engineers used a more sophisticated method, of course. Their tests were so successful that some parts were […]
The actual machine is so large that it requires a 3-story space to house it. The technology it employs is fascinating, and ultimately vital, targeting cancerous cells in a highly focused manner with minimal detriment to the patient. Protons ‘spin’ (ergo the cyclotron) by means of large magnets—see ‘copper’ parts within the images—and travel through […]
When building a dream home for your family, you want to be certain that it will turn out exactly as you imagine it. In this case, the vision was to newly construct an “old barn” as a rustic, cozy hub to bring the family together. It’s always a challenge to age wood and get mortar […]
One of the most gratifying achievements for a professional model maker is perfecting the art of duplication. The look, feel, and finish had to be just right with this model, at five times its actual size. As with most models made for litigation, it had to be durable enough to withstand rigorous handling. Additionally, the […]
Our large CNC machine enables us to make large things. This Bear Climbing Rock, made of 10 blocks of styrofoam (EPS) is the basis for molds that were subsequently cast from its surface and duplicated.
This piece of Model Art™ was presented as a gift to the owner of 55 Stockton from his employees. Our intention was produce a piece that was symbolic of his success and would be cherished and valued as fine art for generations. This building is located just outside of Union Square in San Francisco. Currently, […]
The PlumBob is an important symbol to The Sims franchise and is widely recognized by players around the world as an iconic feature of the game. It is used to identify the character selected and to which the player can give commands, as well as the mood of playable Sims. We built, “the best physical […]
Experiencing the Apple Store Cube at the Apple flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City for the first time is truly awe-inspiring. The replacement cube raises the bar even further as it is constructed with the largest sheets of glass ever made. The previous cube had 90 and the replacement cube has 15. […]
This was one of the first pieces created on our 5-axis CNC router. Both sides were machined from a solid block of wood. To most people who see it for the first time, however, it seems as though we softened and warped the wood somehow. The acrylic spheres represent the actual spherical structures in the […]
This was one of those technical challenges that seem impossible at first, but you just cannot stop thinking about it until it is solved. The challenge was not just to make a model, but to build it to “museum quality” standards for the Autodesk Design Museum with the added durability requirement to withstand travel to […]
The architects for the interior of the W Hotel San Francisco, STANLEY SAITOWITZ │ NATOMA ARCHITECTS INC, designed the modern lobby with a San Francisco theme. They used patterned perforated ceiling panels to represent the fog of The City, made the space dark as night and needed a sculptural piece to represent San Francisco at […]
As our world becomes more and more virtual, the demand to bring things back to physical form increases. This is an exciting revelation for professional model makers. Who doesn’t use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop in the design world? Yet, how often do we stop and appreciate the work as works of art? The Adobe Museum […]
As our world becomes more and more virtual, the demand to bring things back to physical form increases. This is an exciting revelation for professional model makers. Who doesn’t use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop in the design world? Yet, how often do we stop and appreciate the work as works of art? The Adobe Museum […]
