How to Build an Architectural Site Base Model?

Scale the site plan with contours to the desired scale of the site. Use a copier to change the scale.

Most copiers can only increase the drawing size by 200 percent, so you may need to copy the copies to meet the desired scale. For example, a 1 inch equals 40 foot drawing that must be expanded to create a 1 inch equals 8 foot site model will need to be blown up by 500 percent and copied three times--with the copier sizing restrictions, 200 percent times 200 percent times 125 percent equals 500 percent. So, the first copies will be scaled by 200 percent, the second copies will be scaled 200 percent, and the third copies will be scaled 125 percent, creating a site plan blown up to 1 inch equals 8 feet.

Tape the scaled copies together to create a full site plan with contours.

You should allow a small amount of overlap for the copies to accurately depict the contours and other elements of the site plan.

Use the taped, scaled site plan as a template to cut the site base model.

Use chipboard that is thick enough to accurately portray the height difference of the contour lines. If the chipboard is not thick enough, interpolate the site plan contours by adding new, intermediate contours that accurately reflect the thickness of the chipboard for a given scale. Each of these new contours must be equidistant from the other contour lines to create an accurate interpolation.

Cut the chipboard along the contour lines depicted on the copied site plan. Use a knife with a sharp, new blade and replace the blades often. For accuracy, cut the copied site plan, as well as the chipboard, to index each contour without errors or omissions.

Some architects prefer to stipple the chipboard through the site plan, tracing the contour lines with a pin or pounce wheel. The architect then cuts the chipboard along the stippled lines.

Ensure the chipboard contour site plan layers are stacked correctly as they are cut. Depending on the slopes and topography of the site plan, you may have a few layers or several hundred. Be patient and change your blades often.

Glue the stacked layers together, and allow the assembled layers to dry overnight.

Use glue sparingly, and you may prefer to clamp the layers to ensure the wet chipboard does not bow or bend.

Use a sharp knife to cut the footprints of your architectural design and surrounding buildings out of the dried site model base. Cutting the footprints will require several passes of the blade, so remain patient and try not to make stray cuts in the site model.

Site vegetation can be modeled using basswood, model trees or clippings from shrubs. You may need to drill holes into the site model to place the basswood or clippings.