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″ […]
The best way to get approval on a project in its early conception stages is to present a high quality model. Not just any model will do. It must be made to scale, with just the right touches of realism to allow the viewer to get a feel for the finished project. Moreover, it must […]
Models of hospitals are made for fundraising and design review purposes, as well as for obtaining community support and city approval. It is a long, complex, and challenging process as the developer seeks to satisfy all parties, while taking substantial financial risks. Imagine being one of the people responsible to design and pay for a […]
The designer and developer team on this project wanted to make sure we were sensitive to the artistry of their design and what was required of us to make this a successful model. With our company’s focus on Model Art™ this project was a perfect match for our talents and skills. While building the model, […]
The designer and developer team on this project wanted to make sure we were sensitive to the artistry of their design and what was required of us to make this a successful model. With our company’s focus on Model Art™ this project was a perfect match for our talents and skills. While building the model, […]
The designer and developer team on this project wanted to make sure we were sensitive to the artistry of their design and what was required of us to make this a successful model. With our company’s focus on Model Art™ this project was a perfect match for our talents and skills. While building the model, […]
The architect’s intention for this study model was to ‘wow’ the marketing and developer clients with details, without getting into the time and expense of a true marketing model. The clients were so impressed that they asked us to immediately start work on a highly detailed and highly realistic version for their sales office.
What started as a concept for a ‘simple’ model to present to the City of Oakland, turned into a complex model that had all of the essential architectural elements for a sales center presentation, except internal lights. One could easily be misled by the small 9″ x 8″ footprint translating to simplicity. In this case, […]
What started as a concept for a ‘simple’ model to present to the City of Oakland, turned into a complex model that had all of the essential architectural elements for a sales center presentation, except internal lights. One could easily be misled by the small 9″ x 8″ footprint translating to simplicity. In this case, […]
This is a good example of how a quality presentation of a residence can be made with sufficient detail from simple study model materials and professional processes. Really good trees help!
Various materials and model making processes were used to produce the right ‘soft’ look and feel for presentation to the City of Oakland. They now have a suitable long-term promotion piece as the project is further designed and developed toward final approvals and construction. The context was made of basswood, and included an existing building […]
In order to emphasize their unique design, the architects at Gensler requested that we create a more transparent effect for the windows than our usual back-painted technique. The mid-rise building design also required that we model a detailed perforated screen structure on the outside of the building, which we accomplished by painting metal-etched supports that […]
You never know if chipboard will conform properly to a particular shape until you try it. This aquarium’s design structure is smart, conjuring up the look and feel of waves. That same effect had to work on our model, and in very short order. Luckily, chipboard does bend, at least as much as we needed it […]
Large scale models are all about experiencing a place well before it actually exists. This scale affords us the opportunity to simulate colors and textures of materials in a highly realistic way that is often not practical at smaller scales. At Gemmiti Model Art, one of our mantras is “if you are going to do it, do […]
We rushed, then waited to hear how this model was received by the Prime Minister of Bahrain. Upon the architects’ return, they were happy to report that he “liked it so much that he replaced a model of a mosque on his desk with it.”
Set in one of the most beautiful parts of South Carolina, the gorgeous homes at Cliffs at Keowee Springs are nestled in pristine woods with a country club at the top of a hill! This first model shows the overall property, for orientation and sales purposes, and features: the layout of the road system, the size of […]
When the Exploratorium Observatory relocated from the Palace of Fine Arts to Piers 15 & 17, the best approach (in practical, visual, tactile, and scientific terms) to thoroughly plan ahead its move was through the use of a scale model. This was a study model made from laser cut museum board (no pun intended) with open roofs […]
The use of cork is a low-tech approach to the construction of models that will never completely go out of fashion. It’s natural earthy quality, consistent texture, and size variety make it a tried and true material for site models. Since laser cutting burns cork black, each of these fine layers (.050″ or 2′ high contours at […]
With currently available technologies, we are able to produce a higher level of accuracy and detail in tiny buildings. Those topping out at a miniscule 1/2″ height, are now able to include overhangs, chimneys, and all of the complex intersecting gable elements that can be designed in 3D CAD. It is a common misconception that […]
This model was primarily made to orient a potential buyer of a luxury home to a golf course community located in an idyllic setting in Northern California. Our intention was to capture the color and textural qualities of natural California grasses and provide just enough detail in the tiny buildings (accurate roof shapes, etc.) to […]
These days, it is more work to build a ‘stepped contour’ topo model than one in it’s natural smooth state. The reason being that preparing the file for machining involves many hours of CAD time to add contour lines at each and every inside corner and outside or ‘top’ corner of a step. Thirty years […]
This model is one of many that we’ve inserted into the all-encompassing Stanford Planning Model over the last 30 years. Our guess is that the model was originally made in the late 60s or early 70s. It’s just part of the fabric of Stanford Planning and is continually updated whenever a new project is in […]
When the quarry is finished digging at great depth, the plan is to make it an inlet with waterfront property. With this model, our clients were able to demonstrate the before and after with model puzzle pieces. Seeing the actual relationship between the neighborhood and the quarry, and having the benefit of this tool to […]
When Donald Fisher met opposition in building his first proposal of the Contemporary Art Museum of the Presidio, this second design option was presented. Neither option worked, so his art collection was ultimately housed at SF MOMA. As is evident in the seams around three areas featuring ‘removable plugs,’ this model was used for more […]
This model was scheduled to be on a plane to Abu Dhabi with no time to spare, so the best we could do photo-wise was this detailed shot of a single sun shade or ‘trumpet.’ The design of this piece was tricky, but once resolved, it was fairly straight-forward to duplicate with a high level […]
Sometimes the style of a model is completely sculptural, as with a wood model or an all-white model. Other times, the style is highly realistic as in Hacienda Cabo, where we captured the foam of the waves on the beach perfectly. Every once in a while, as with this model of Stanford FCTR School of […]
Sometimes the style of a model is completely sculptural, as with a wood model or an all-white model. Other times, the style is highly realistic as in Hacienda Cabo, where we captured the foam of the waves on the beach perfectly. Every once in a while, as with this model of Stanford FCTR School of […]
The architects came to us with the requirement that this gift of Model Art™ be presented in a ‘bento box’ motif, as it would be presented to someone who had a particular affinity for all things Japanese. Since we did not want to take away from the delicate surface detail showing the layout of this […]
The topography of Murphy Winery was CNC machined out of solid basswood. The hardscape was shown as a tint and the buildings included laser-scored details to communicate just the right amount of detail for presentation.
This model was made to study a fairly intricate architectural revision and update. To keep the presentation simple yet informative, we constructed the model from chipboard. Gray chipboard is a nice alternative to its more common brown counterpart, though the latter is better at hiding laser cutting burn marks. As you can see, the courtyard […]
Not all models are made with intricate detail and realism. However, all models produced at Gemmiti Model Art are made to serve a purpose. In this case, the owner needed to able to visualize and study the shape of the house and the adjoining driveway access. There is something simple and sweet about this little study […]
This model is a perfect example of a single family residence made for design review, sales presentation, and approval purposes. We combined high technology (laser cutting and scoring) and low cost materials (chipboard) to achieve enough detail to communicate the design of the proposed home without the added labor and cost associated with producing a […]
This beautiful piece of property is located on San Francisco Bay. The proposed development included a marina, an entire road system, and several future parcels, along with one commercial property that is in the conceptual development phase. We had enough information to build this model with intricate detail on the two commercial buildings, tiny palms, […]
University of California, San Francisco held a design competition for a parking garage destined for its Mission Bay campus. The architect thoughtfully matched the character of the building with the garage design, conveniently and beautifully sidestepping the less becoming ‘open-slab’ effect. Due, in no small part, to its cost effectiveness, this was the winning design!
Imagine what it would be like to not only own a piece of property on a hill in beautiful Sonoma wine country, but also have the resources to really study its land, and plan and create a vision for how the property would best be experienced and enjoyed. Dream became reality with the construction of […]
Here, it was important to interpret the screen, which largely covers the garage façade, creatively rather than literally. The holes in the perforated panels are very small and the overall pattern is essentially a flattened graphic of the hole pattern of a tree, or lots of trees. Instead of using a fine screen to get the […]
An otherwise overlooked aspect within larger projects, we absolutely love public-space requirements in San Francisco developments!
In order for this model to read right, the tinting of the windows and the selection of the color pallet (which included copper and green) were crucial. Our interpretation of the actual materials at this scale really made the difference. It was eventually incorporated into the bigger Mission Bay East model, which is featured elsewhere […]
As tiny as the details of this model are, it was very important that the delicate features were properly communicated in our material and color selection, as well as our interpretation of how certain features should be modeled at this scale. It would have been easier to reduce the number of patterns and setbacks in […]
Multi-family housing models are more complex to build than some satellites! This project had over 600 individual wall pieces to design, organize, laser cut, assemble, and paint (in multiple colors.) Additionally, as is the case with intricate housing projects, the architecture was in the design development phase. It required focus to reach the end of […]
Twenty-five years ago, we made ‘planning models’ that projected the growth of San Francisco over the following few decades. The development and growth seemed a bit unreal, given the population and activity of the city at the time. Today, however, Mission Bay—once a vast empty space in the southern section of San Francisco—is a growing […]
Twenty-five years ago, we made ‘planning models’ that projected the growth of San Francisco over the following few decades. The development and growth seemed a bit unreal, given the population and activity of the city at the time. Today, however, Mission Bay—once a vast empty space in the southern section of San Francisco—is a growing […]
This is a fine example of an unusual use of material and color that really works. The tower was made of milk acrylic. Each floor was represented (as can be subtly observed) and the entire skin was made flush. It, along with the black acrylic base, was left in it’s natural glossy finish for a […]
Our contact at the City of Palo Alto originally wanted simple building shapes that would sit loosely on an aerial photograph of downtown Palo Alto’s South of Forest Area. Our first thought was, “who is going to be the one to sit there and realign over 100 loose buildings when someone bumps the table or […]
Destiny USA conducted an extensive search for “the best model makers in the country” to build the models for its visionary green project in Syracuse, NY. After introductions, phone interviews, a portfolio submission, months of waiting, and a cross-country interview, Gemmiti Model Art was selected to join the design and development team. It’s been a […]
This competition model was challenging and unique because the clients were still finalizing their designs four days before the presentation due date. In the end, we produced a model with 20 individual, interchangeable parts; half of these parts made in the final two days of construction.
The competition brief for an addition to the existing SFMOMA building called for entries made of raw, simple materials rather than detailed, elaborate marketing models. Judges were looking for models that gave a clean, unadorned feel of the proposed work. Our clients, Jensen & Macy Architects, came to us and selected a raw material that […]
The best platform for selling hundreds of units is a sales center featuring a detailed marketing model as its centerpiece, showing all the colors, textures, and amenities of the project. It was an arduous process to achieve the proper green, brown, gold, and tan tones on this model. The design was exceptionally intricate and challenging […]
The scale of this model allows us to show all architectural features, from decorative brackets to shingle siding, detailed trim, wall-mounted lamps, café tables, and interior lighting. By randomly blocking windows we create a more realistic appearance than a light-box style model. Regardless of the degree of detail or realism required, a Gemmiti Model Art […]
Developers often have to decide whether they want a simple “topo table” (the term commonly used for a flat plan with “monopoly” houses) or a model that is more realistically colored and textured so that one can experience the layout of the lots, changes in grade, and natural vegetation of the site. An accurately rendered […]
What better, more effective way to sell property that is still under construction than to present the end result in full realism and detail? Prospective buyers can experience the building in its three-dimensional, finished form—something that even a well done two-dimensional rendering can never achieve. At this scale, we are able to capture small differences […]
This was the first of two design options and locations proposed for Donald Fisher’s extensive modern art collection. This model was made to be an intricate puzzle with lift-off sections revealing all interior art gallery spaces. We loved duplicating the priceless sculptures in miniature and were intrigued by the unique aspect of the exterior wall stone […]
There are so many layers of detail packed into this tiny-scale competition model that we relished the look on the architect’s face at first sight of the finished product—a design they likely agonized over day and night to perfect. This little model had it all and felt fully detailed. For us, being able to produce […]
“It was a beautiful sunny day as I drove up to Marin to discuss the making of artist Beverly Pepper’s sculpture on the property of Donald Fisher, founder of Gap, Inc. Contributing to this piece was a great honor, especially knowing how much Mr. Fisher revered fine art. Standing on a beautiful Northern California hill, taking […]
This model of CREATE (Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise) was designed by Perkins + Will to be a scientific research center, located at the National University of Singapore’s new seven acre University Town campus. CREATE’s design will pioneer the tropical use of advanced environmental and energy-saving technologies. It was also the site of the first […]
We needed to build a model that would represent this project well enough to bring before the City of San Francisco for approval. Additionally, it needed to meet our own quality standards within the budgetary constraints associated with a low-income housing project. Using just the right level of detail: a carefully selected color pallet, a few clever […]
This model was built for a design competition. Constructed of exotic woods on a custom-made metal tree-trunk stand, it was creative, inspired, and great fun to build!
Our foam ‘topos’ are CNC machined, resulting in a high level of precision and a high-tolerance fit of buildings into the machined pockets. The layout of the road systems are also inscribed onto the surface of each contour step, allowing us to begin painting immediately, without having to tediously locate their position on the site […]
As you may notice, not all of the images for the Belvedere Retirement Community project appear to be at the same scale. That is because there are two models: one, at a smaller scale, of the entire proposed community and another, at a larger scale, focusing on a pair of residential buildings and the community […]
As you may notice, not all of the images for the Belvedere Retirement Community project appear to be at the same scale. That is because there are two models: one, at a smaller scale, of the entire proposed community and another, at a larger scale, focusing on a pair of residential buildings and the community […]
As you may notice, not all of the images for the Belvedere Retirement Community project appear to be at the same scale. That is because there are two models: one, at a smaller scale, of the entire proposed community and another, at a larger scale, focusing on a pair of residential buildings and the community […]
As you may notice, not all of the images for the Belvedere Retirement Community project appear to be at the same scale. That is because there are two models: one, at a smaller scale, of the entire proposed community and another, at a larger scale, focusing on a pair of residential buildings and the community […]
As you may notice, not all of the images for the Belvedere Retirement Community project appear to be at the same scale. That is because there are two models: one, at a smaller scale, of the entire proposed community and another, at a larger scale, focusing on a pair of residential buildings and the community […]
The architect’s vision for this competition entry was ‘clean and white with the feel of wood.’ Towards this end, the model was made almost entirely of wood, painted sheer white to ensure it retained the wood-grain texture. The designers used a clear glass curtain wall (acrylic on the model) to bring the feel of the […]
Wilson’s Landing is a community that is reminiscent of the past. Cobblestone streets, gas lanterns, the Inn, a general store, a chapel, and an old fashioned real estate office frame a park containing the historical remnants of RT Wilson’s dream mansion. This is an exquisite development with lush surroundings. Our job was to capture the […]
Wilson’s Landing is a community that is reminiscent of the past. Cobblestone streets, gas lanterns, the Inn, a general store, a chapel, and an old fashioned real estate office frame a park containing the historical remnants of RT Wilson’s dream mansion. This is an exquisite development with lush surroundings. Our job was to capture the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Few of us are able to conceive of this much planning. The Mueller Information Center model lays it out for us. The property is being developed in phases and as each phase is designed and completed, we are able to pull out a segment and replace it with an updated version. This model shows the […]
Few of us are able to conceive of this much planning. The Mueller Information Center model lays it out for us. The property is being developed in phases and as each phase is designed and completed, we are able to pull out a segment and replace it with an updated version. This model shows the […]
Few of us are able to conceive of this much planning. The Mueller Information Center model lays it out for us. The property is being developed in phases and as each phase is designed and completed, we are able to pull out a segment and replace it with an updated version. This model shows the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
It is an exciting day in a model maker’s life when they are commissioned to build a model to the highest degree of detail, realism, and artistry possible. Built during the early days of our company in 2000, this model and its Hedgpeth companion gave us the opportunity to fully engage in the art of […]
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 […]
When all the work and effort put into the Orchard Cottage at Carneros model was finally done, it was a lovely thing to look upon the ‘birds of paradise!’
Sometimes, our job as model makers brings a measure of joy to our lives and to those who commission us to produce this level of detail and realism. Interpreting landscape, flora, stone, rock, and dirt can truly add life to a model. We put a lot of attention to detail in the color pallet. We […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
