Practice Gallery

Balsa Models

Conveying design intent and rationale to clients succinctly requires a medium or a series of media that can simultaneously explain the primary concept as well as the execution. The best communication techniques offer a sense of scale that allows the observers to place themselves ‘within’ the concept whilst inferring the overall form of the building, created by the volumes and voids.
 
Whilst conventional plans allow the detail of a building to be clarified and individual elements of the composition to be explained, the traditional architectural tool for the communication of large scale spatial concepts has always been a physical model.
 
Though we continue to build physical models (of the whole project and/or of detailed parts) to test out ideas and engage the client, there are limitations to the flexibility of a physical model to explore a large variety of ideas. Architectus Brisbane has transferred the process of physical model making onto the computer; utilizing CAD to create virtual, physical balsa, cardboard, coreboard and solid wood models. This process differs from producing polished, 3D views and images. It is a testing device; allowing the designer to explore and communicate spatial intentions without attributing excessive detail to a design in the development phase. The power and danger of producing rendered images that appear resolved in early design phases is negated by the palette of the balsa model, as it replicates the materials of traditional physical model making – balsa and cardboard.
 
Once constructed, the model is very easy to manipulate, to explore a variety of options, and even to manipulate in real time with the client. As did the physical model, its greatest benefit is undoubtedly its ability to focus client discussions around large the strategic issues of form and relationship without being distracted by issues of materiality, detail, or appearance. It provides an invaluable testing tool and communication device for client and internal design discussions.