Archetype 3D

If I want your opinion, I'll ask for it. 
Regional Airport Under the Public’s Eye for Review

The Pierre Regional Airport scale model was built to ask for the public’s opinion. Our client’s at Coover Clark Architects were very particular about details and how their design were represented. Archetype 3D's expert team of model makers led by our art director worked with their airport architect & project manager to match the materials and colors on the model essential to their design specifications and requirements. 

Edward Balkin, Coover Clark’s architect & project manager describes the effect the model had after it was delivered. "The Model was presented to the City of Pierre with great excitement.  I think it was the first instance when the public actually understood the reality of a new Terminal, as well as its design.  Overall it enlightened the community as to the architecture of the Terminal, as well as its importance to the overall growth of the capital city and the State of South Dakota.  All were pleased with the use of regional granite materials, (Dakota Mahogany) and the references made to the area in the interior were used throughout the project."

The airport may be small but it was a meaningful project and a long time coming for the City of Pierre even though this in not an international terminal with thousands of jetliners coming in and out during the year. The Pierre, South Dakota airport is a regional hub for commuter flights and hunting trips featuring some unique amenities. The model features a dog enclosure to keep pets and hunting dogs busy while waiting for flights. Plus it features a special security sections where hunters are required to allow security to screen their hunting rifles. These unique features are an integral part of the airport--specifically designed for the location and the public that it services.

Chicago just finished building a model of the city and I have to say I am disappointed. Why build a white 3d model of Chicago. Surprisingly, Chicago is a colorful place but you wouldn’t know it from this display. Modern technology is again allowing us to take short cuts that are not actually improvements. This model was made using 3D printing technology which I use myself and I heartily agree with this choice. 3D printing is great as it builds complicated shapes quickly and cheaply. With this model, cheaply seems to be the dominant theme. I understand that cost is always a factor but this is a central show piece for the entire city, why make it a ghost town? To me white models do look clean and are great for architecture meetings or design review boards but not for the general public. Color is what gives a model life and creates a miniature reality that the people living there, and who love the city, can relate to.

This model was in fact painted. The 3D printer that was used, grew the buildings from a clear material. Someone made the choice to paint everything white! Where are the parks? Where is the cool reflective light from the windows? The only way this mimics the Chicago skyline is in silhouette.

From what I have read, this model is getting good reviews from the press which I think is a testament to how effective models are in general and how inexperienced the press is when it comes to these types of displays.

I admit that I am a model snob but when we created a model of downtown Denver we captured the character and the life of the city with lighting and color. We don’t live in a white, white world, and there is no good reason it should be modeled that way.

Tell us what you think of the comparison between the white Chicago 3d model and the images below of our downtown Denver model.

Craig Martin – President – Archetype 3D

Most detailed architectural projects take four to six weeks to construct. More complicated model can take a bit longer. Then came the day that I got a call from a very good client requesting we build a model of their lodge for the opening of their sales office in two weeks. The timing worked out very well as the other projects we had been working in the shop did not have immediate deadlines. The client also had their act together with a full set of plans. Experience has taught me that no matter how complete the plans, there are always surprises on these complicated buildings. So I requested a charrette (a collaborative session in which a group of designers drafts a solution to a problem) for the next day. We had the architects, landscape architects, color designer, and developers all come to our shop for a one day decision making session. The rule was that all choices must be made that day with no changes allowed later. It was an intense meeting with some great collaboration. We created color and material samples on the spot and had them approved. All the plans were gone over and accepted. Only because we all had the same goal and were willing to support each other, exactly two weeks later we delivered the “Cirque” to the sales office at Copper Mountain Colorado. Now that was intense.