Building model

Building models are scale models of structures. They are commonly used in model railroading as well as wargaming and diorama making. Architectural models are also made to demonstrate and promote buildings before they are constructed.

Many building models do not come from kits, but are handmade.

Common supplies and building techniques

The walls of model buildings are generally made of materials such as Closed-cell PVC foamboard and the façade of buildings are made from multiple layers of cardstock. Small scraps of random items found around the house often come in handy when creating many models. Color labels from magazine advertisements are often used as signage for modeled stores, for example. Some model makers commonly make copies of model-building items by constructing a simple mold from clay, inserting the item within the mold, then pouring plaster into the mold.

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  1/150 scale scratch-built model of Hong Kong's 'Tong Lau' tenement building.

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  1/150 scale model of a demolished cinema 'Capitol Theatre' in Hong Kong Causeway Bay.

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  1/450 scale Japanese Matsuyama Castle plastic kit from Doyusha.

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  Some model buildings are shown in a model town built at Ahmedabad, India.

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  A model building for a house in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Other modelers use whatever materials will give the best and most realistic look. For instance, a metal structure would be made of metal, a wooden structure wood. Special attention is taken to make sure that all elements are in the correct scale; even the grain of the wood used must be fine enough to look in scale.

See also

• Building information modeling - building model in computerized form
• Cardboard engineering