I'm fairly new to the architecture industry - I graduated with a four year arch degree over a year ago and have only done a couple of small commission jobs for architects since. The rest of my work has been part time in retail, which I then moved up to temporarily being an apprentice model maker/repairman for a model railroad in a museum. I have applied to a M.Arch program starting as early as this coming January, so hopefully that will open other opportunities.
Anyway, one of the jobs I completed was a physical model church for a firm in the span of two and a half weeks. I really enjoy this kind of work, but it seems to me like most firms in Indiana have been more focused on the use of digital renderings.
In the current market, what is the demand for model makers in architecture, whether the work is in-house or privately contracted?
Thank you for taking the time to read this post, and I look forward to your responses!
The market is tiny, and you have to be very good at it in order to command prices high enough to make it worth it. More and more, this work is being commissioned by developers and clients wishing to fundraise, as architects have turned to renderings to do the bulk of their presentations...
I interned for a model-maker for a few summers during my undergrad. It's quite a lucrative business if your product is good and the market supports the business.
The demand comes almost exclusively from developers, and if it comes from Architects, it's probably for a developer anyway. Models built in-house by architects are more or less study models for the design process. A professional model will be used for expos, sales, and marketing.
An 8th inch scale model for a 50 story building sold (10 years ago in the Southeast US) for approximately $60,000 and took about 3 months to build.
Most model-makers I've met in both the US and abroad have usually been former Architects.
One of my mentors was one of the world's best model makers, he modelled something for Russia once which cost at least £1million and flew it to the client in a military helicopter. It's extremely stressful and you have to be one of the absolute best, constantly learning new techniques and technologies.
That's the problem ^ you work for a architecture firm? you'll be mainly making quick models for in office use. You'd have to be working for a specialist studio or a "R&D" branch for a larger corp like Skanska or Arup.
i spent the summer of 2006 building a model for a public project, fun work and looks awesome in the portfolio. If you want to pursue that as a profession you might try talking to these guys:
Depends on project type and market - I've been in a few firms that built both in -house and presentation models; mostly in NE where the competition between firms/developers is tougher. High-end model shops command large fees, but mid-level quality model builder can have a decent run on-call but you'll need a good list of clients. I've found a reliable model builder to be ultimately cheaper than having in-house staff build them.
Nov 2, 16 11:25 am ·
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Model Making as a Career
Hi everyone!
I'm fairly new to the architecture industry - I graduated with a four year arch degree over a year ago and have only done a couple of small commission jobs for architects since. The rest of my work has been part time in retail, which I then moved up to temporarily being an apprentice model maker/repairman for a model railroad in a museum. I have applied to a M.Arch program starting as early as this coming January, so hopefully that will open other opportunities.
Anyway, one of the jobs I completed was a physical model church for a firm in the span of two and a half weeks. I really enjoy this kind of work, but it seems to me like most firms in Indiana have been more focused on the use of digital renderings.
In the current market, what is the demand for model makers in architecture, whether the work is in-house or privately contracted?
Thank you for taking the time to read this post, and I look forward to your responses!
The market is tiny, and you have to be very good at it in order to command prices high enough to make it worth it. More and more, this work is being commissioned by developers and clients wishing to fundraise, as architects have turned to renderings to do the bulk of their presentations...
Some corporate firms have a department specifically for model making that you might want to express your interest to but keep your fingers crossed.
I interned for a model-maker for a few summers during my undergrad. It's quite a lucrative business if your product is good and the market supports the business.
The demand comes almost exclusively from developers, and if it comes from Architects, it's probably for a developer anyway. Models built in-house by architects are more or less study models for the design process. A professional model will be used for expos, sales, and marketing.
An 8th inch scale model for a 50 story building sold (10 years ago in the Southeast US) for approximately $60,000 and took about 3 months to build.
Most model-makers I've met in both the US and abroad have usually been former Architects.
One of my mentors was one of the world's best model makers, he modelled something for Russia once which cost at least £1million and flew it to the client in a military helicopter. It's extremely stressful and you have to be one of the absolute best, constantly learning new techniques and technologies.
If you can do that then go for it.
I've been working for a little over 7 years. Have never seen a model go out of an office.
I'd love for there to be models, but it hasn't happened.
That's the problem ^ you work for a architecture firm? you'll be mainly making quick models for in office use. You'd have to be working for a specialist studio or a "R&D" branch for a larger corp like Skanska or Arup.
i spent the summer of 2006 building a model for a public project, fun work and looks awesome in the portfolio. If you want to pursue that as a profession you might try talking to these guys:
http://zoyescreative.com/contact.php
there is certainly demand for high-quality models and modeling generalists who can run an in-office shop.
Depends on project type and market - I've been in a few firms that built both in -house and presentation models; mostly in NE where the competition between firms/developers is tougher. High-end model shops command large fees, but mid-level quality model builder can have a decent run on-call but you'll need a good list of clients. I've found a reliable model builder to be ultimately cheaper than having in-house staff build them.
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