Models in 1:1 – A powerful education and research tool for bridging the gap between architects and engineers

This paper discusses the role(s) of physical models in architectural education, conceptual structural design, research of novel structural concepts and definition of connections and joints. Through examples of student workshops, research/investigations, design projects and buildings under construction – the opportunities and limitations of physical models as design, exploration and verification tools are discussed. A special emphasis of the paper, are 1:1 physical models and how these can be used to bridge the gap between architects and engineers.