Model Building Laboratory

Research focus

The Peer review has evaluated this group as Average

The Model Building Laboratory was created in 1987 to aid the didactic activities and the research in the field of three-dimensional representation by means of scale models. The scale of the models vary from a territorial and urban scale to more reduced ones, of buildings, their interiors and utensils. Lectures on the materials and building techniques characterizing the architectural modes are held as part of the Laboratory. Through an attentive interpretation and verification of survey plans or architectural designs and the materials used in the construction to be represented, the laboratory offers consulting on the choices in terms of scale, colors and materials for purposes of assuring an adequate representation. The research activity takes place through a continuous verification and experimentation of the techniques and materials that contribute to form the language of three-dimensional representation by means of real models, exploring their specific properties in terms of a realistic three-dimensional rendering and of communicative impact. In addition to traditional building techniques, computer-controlled equipment has been acquired in order to verify its utilization for model building: a numeric-control three-axis miller and a plotter for laser cuts. Thanks to the high level of professionalism and technical-scientific expertise developed over the years, more and more models are being built for third parties, both for structures within the Polytechnic and for external entities. The Workshop stores and manages a Collection of Architectural Models, featuring more than 250 models, mainly on scale 1:20 and 1:50, of entire architectures or interiors designed by master architects from every period. Most of these models have been built by students of the Interior Architecture courses under the guidance of the Laboratory staff, and have been presented in numerous exhibitions. Lab infrastructures The Laboratory is organized in various areas: model building area an area of 140 m2 equipped with 30 work tables, eight Proxxon DSH vibration drills and four Dremel Moto Sander band and disc sanders. 226 carpentry area an area of 50 m2 equipped with: an Altendorf F45 Standard squaring circular saw, a Centauro SP500 band saw, an OMS Stayer FC300R cutter saw, a Paoloni DR415 C.E combined surface-thickness planer, a Lasm LVO120 band sander, an Orma P25/2 cold press with surface area 150x100 cm, a Serrmac RAG16/18 drill. information technology area an area equipped with 4 computers to develop and re-elaborate two-dimensional drawings or “virtual” three-dimensional models that make it possible to pilot a CMS - NC PF 100 TCU numeric-control wood milling tool machine with a work area of 90x60 cm and a Universal Laser Systems M-20 plotter for laser cutting of cardboard and veneered panels with a work area of 60x30 cm. model storage area where the Collection of Architecture Models is stored; it features more than 250 models, predominantly of scale 1:20 and 1:50, of entire architectures or interiors designed by master architects from every period. Most of these models have been built by students of the Interior Architecture courses under the guidance of the Laboratory staff, and have been presented in numerous exhibitions.

Dipartimento di afferenza

Dipartimento di Progettazione dell’Architettura

Docenti afferenti

Full Professors
Massimo Fortis
Gianni Ottolini
Associate Professors
Roberto Rizzi
Assistant Professors
Cecilia Bolognesi
Maria Pompeiana Iarossi
Michele Ugolini