3-D Architectural Models:
Fabrication, Mechanisms, and Lighting
Fabrication, Mechanisms, and Lighting
I was first introduced to architectural model making while I was
Head Model Maker for Los Angeles' premier design and model
shop: 3D Industrial Design, in 2002.
Architects tasked with the design of the Gymnastics Paddock for
the Beijing Summer Olympics could not find any architectural
model shop in Los Angeles who would commit to making a scale
model of the structure. This was due to an extremely complicated
'flying roof,' that no model shop could figure out how to make. 3D
Industrial Design President Matt Lazitch showed me the CAD files,
and I took the project on in spite of a deadline only 10 days out.
Although I no longer work at 3D Industrial Design, that model still
headlines on their website among a very few featured projects:
3Dindustrialdesign.com
Head Model Maker for Los Angeles' premier design and model
shop: 3D Industrial Design, in 2002.
Architects tasked with the design of the Gymnastics Paddock for
the Beijing Summer Olympics could not find any architectural
model shop in Los Angeles who would commit to making a scale
model of the structure. This was due to an extremely complicated
'flying roof,' that no model shop could figure out how to make. 3D
Industrial Design President Matt Lazitch showed me the CAD files,
and I took the project on in spite of a deadline only 10 days out.
Although I no longer work at 3D Industrial Design, that model still
headlines on their website among a very few featured projects:
3Dindustrialdesign.com
Various architectural models constructed for developers
on opposite ends of the United States: New York and
Hawaii. All were made from laser-cut acrylic parts based
upon client-supplied CAD elevations and floor plans.
on opposite ends of the United States: New York and
Hawaii. All were made from laser-cut acrylic parts based
upon client-supplied CAD elevations and floor plans.
I designed and installed LED based
"low-heat, low-energy' lighting for this model
built for The Palms of Las Vegas.
"low-heat, low-energy' lighting for this model
built for The Palms of Las Vegas.
My masterpiece: Fully-functional and
illuminated 'Megawheel' for the Rio Casino of
Las Vegas. (See below)
illuminated 'Megawheel' for the Rio Casino of
Las Vegas. (See below)
Tiny but detailed model for the State of Ohio
Department of Parks and Recreation.
Department of Parks and Recreation.
Above: What I consider to be my personal masterpiece of model making, mechanical and electrical
engineering - this working model built for the Rio Casino of Las Vegas. It was another example of a
project that no other Los Angeles model shop wanted to accept, both due to its massive complexity and
unreasonable delivery date.
I was provided with two badly warped stereo lithography wheel halves - nothing more. I had to turn them
into a working Ferris Wheel, with lights inside each revolving gondola, with weighted floors in each
gondola that always remained level as the gondolas moved around the structure. Of course, the structure around which the gondolas had to move was
not round, and the train of 23 clear pods had to enter and exit the wheel at its base.
An old model railroad layout I had as a kid gave me the idea to run power through metal tracks built into a laser-cut frame to hold the wheel halves
together. Two identical roller chains, driven by a hidden drive gear in the base, ran off of each rail (one positive and one negative). Each gondola was
made of two photo etched brass rings, the base of each soldiered to each roller chain. Tiny light bulbs were wired from ring to ring, inside the acrylic pod
that made each gondola - thus each pod was light from within, and moved around the two tracks by the gear-driven roller chain.
The inside of the wheel itself was 'peppered' with hundreds of tiny lights that slowly changed color. A powerful light source in the base shone through a
color wheel that in turn illuminated a bundle of fiber optics.
In spite of its obvious complexity, this project was completed within two weeks and in time for the client.
engineering - this working model built for the Rio Casino of Las Vegas. It was another example of a
project that no other Los Angeles model shop wanted to accept, both due to its massive complexity and
unreasonable delivery date.
I was provided with two badly warped stereo lithography wheel halves - nothing more. I had to turn them
into a working Ferris Wheel, with lights inside each revolving gondola, with weighted floors in each
gondola that always remained level as the gondolas moved around the structure. Of course, the structure around which the gondolas had to move was
not round, and the train of 23 clear pods had to enter and exit the wheel at its base.
An old model railroad layout I had as a kid gave me the idea to run power through metal tracks built into a laser-cut frame to hold the wheel halves
together. Two identical roller chains, driven by a hidden drive gear in the base, ran off of each rail (one positive and one negative). Each gondola was
made of two photo etched brass rings, the base of each soldiered to each roller chain. Tiny light bulbs were wired from ring to ring, inside the acrylic pod
that made each gondola - thus each pod was light from within, and moved around the two tracks by the gear-driven roller chain.
The inside of the wheel itself was 'peppered' with hundreds of tiny lights that slowly changed color. A powerful light source in the base shone through a
color wheel that in turn illuminated a bundle of fiber optics.
In spite of its obvious complexity, this project was completed within two weeks and in time for the client.