ABSTRACT
Models have a surprisingly long history but from the mid 20th century they became even more representative of real buildings-with trees, cars and people around them. Models are often admired as they enable everybody to visualize the proposals from all directions. Yet, they have also been criticized in at least two respects. One aspect is that it is claimed they disguise the large scale of some modern buildings. Generally models are viewed from above which produces less impact than from the human viewpoint. Another factor is that they imply a neatness in the environment that can never be replicated in practice. According to Cyril Farey, the principal function of the architectural model is to supplement the perspective sketch and represent the perspective view of a building or group of buildings in a more obvious and spectacular form than is possible with a drawing. Also, the model has the advantage that it is the pictorial equivalent of not only one sketch but very many. By walking around the model one may obtain innumerable views of the building that it represents. He felt that clients
greatly appreciate the consideration shown to them when a model of the proposed building is prepared for their inspection, and in the case of significant projects, a large model is undoubtedly the best method of representing the design (Farey and Edwards 1931). Many three dimensional forms are difficult to depict in drawings and are too elaborate to be accurately shown in a few renderings. There is ample evidence that important commissions using these forms sometimes require hundreds of design models. It is estimated that the number of sketches needed to achieve the same results would be in the thousands (Hohauser 1970). In addition, different options can be slotted into a model of the context for comparison.
