Best 3D Printed Architectural Models

With most traditional manufacturing methods, physical cutting tools are used to create these characteristics. But with 3D printing, the tools used are light waves and nozzles. Both of which, can be emitted or made at far smaller sizes than the traditional tools. Even down to the nanoscale.

This allows for 3D printed architectural models with shapes and features that are much finer and more intricate than before.

Whether they were generated algorithmically, digitally sculpted, parametrically modelled or 3D scanned, many designs that model makers were not able to manufacture previously, are now possible.

3D printed architectural models can be printed with almost any of these characteristics that an architect may require. The range of 3D printing materials is already vast and growing rapidly. Millions of colours are available in high definition and their placement is digitally controlled. Completely transparent resins are common. Even glass is now available. And the hardness and flexibility can be adjusted to any level required.

By adding each individual part of each individual layer, 3D printing allows model makers to control precisely what material and characteristic they require for each area of the shape. One can create multi-material shapes with varying levels of resolution, density, colour and transparency, all within the same 3d printed architectural model.

With 3D printing, the entire shape is built up (or down) from one side to the other. With control of every single part in between, the internal material can be placed in any desired amount or arrangement. Resulting in 3D printed architectural models that can go from completely hollow, up to solid, and any density in between. This can greatly reduce the material usage and cost of a model.

Especially unique to 3D printing, are internal lattice structures which can be added to hollow objects. These can aid architects with physical requirements like the strengthening of hollow models.

The relatively diverse capabilities of 3D printers allow for architectural models that previously required multiple manufacturing processes, to be accomplished all in a single 3D print. Consider some example cases:

Shapes that required painting after manufacture, can now just be printed in colour.

A hard shapes that required softer sections to be attached after its manufacture, can now just be printed with all the hard and softer shapes in a single print.

A molded shape that required additional holes or trimming after being cast, can now just be printed with all the required features.

Or making a shape with a highly detailed section, that requires a separate and more accurate machine to add it afterwards.

3D printed models can now be printed on a single machine, and in a single print. Which saves the model makers time and the cost of requiring multiple machines or processes.

Before 3D printing, each traditional method of manufacture had its own constraints that hindered the model maker’s design process and reduced the availability of shapes. Whether it was a cutter or a mold, each tool restricted the creation of shapes in some way.

But with 3D printing, because we can accurately place and bond the newly added building material in any location we desire, it is now possible to create almost any 3D printed architectural model shapes that can be imagined.

When scaling architectural designs down to the size of a model, many features become too thin to manufacture and include in the model. Complex geometries, fine textures and thin features often have to be simplified, thickened or removed by the model makers.

But with all the aforementioned capabilities of 3D printing, many of those geometries, texture and features can now be 3D printed. Meaning that 3D printers are able to print architectural models closer to their original full-scale designs than was previously possible.

Additionally, sections with different characteristics, do not have to be split up and manufactured separately. They can usually all be produced in the same print.

Depending on the complexity of the shape, 3D printing is generally faster than the cutting and sculpting methods traditionally used to build architectural models.

The different facets of a model would usually have to be made separately and then assembled together manually. But, again with all the previously mentioned advantages of 3D printing, it is now possible for model makers to produce the whole design with all the different facets in a single 3d printed architectural model.

As soon as the digital design for the model has been completed, the printer can start printing the entire model unaided. At any time of the day, and days at a time. This saves greatly on time, labour and associated costs.

Additionally, model makers can print multiple shapes or versions simultaneously.

Although freshly 3D printed models generally require some post-processing steps like cleaning, cutting or curing, their advantages usually make up for this additional time.

Traditional model making methods like cutting, require that a sheet of material be trimmed away, leaving the desired shape behind (Subtractive Manufacturing). This means that the material that was removed, is wasted. With 3D printing, the material used to construct the shape is usually the only material used in the building of the shape (Additive Manufacturing). Except for 3D printing methods where disposable support structures are required.

Meaning that 3D printed architectural models can be created at a lower cost to the environment.