How Architecture Firms Can Save Money on 3D Printing
Tips For Cutting Modeling Costs
All but the most exclusive architecture firms work on a tight business model. In fact, the AIA reports that the average profit margin hovers around 6-13% per design project for a firm. We haven’t run into any architect that will argue the power of architectural models to help a client understand a design concept. But justifying this cost from the firm’s profitability can be tough with a client.
Occasionally we run across a firm that knows the power of a having a model at the table but it curious on what can be done to lower the investment. Here are a couple tips to consider when building a model using 3d printing:
- Scale: This one seems pretty obvious but plays a big part in cost. A model built at 1/8″ = 1′ versus 1/16″ = 1′ is obviously twice the size. This is twice the raw materials and a larger base. Evaluate exactly what you’re trying to communicate. Is it how the structure sits on the topography? Maybe a smaller scale can accomplish this. If you’re going for showing how the building materials have reclaimed lumber and beautiful timbered entry-ways, then a bigger scale will get the job done.If you’re on a tight budget, think about doing a hybrid model - This entails a complete model with the site and the building done at a small scale and smaller sectional models are built individually at a larger scale to show specific features of interest. You save on the overall model cost and still communicate with your audience both the site’s look and feel and the specifics of the building’s design.
- 3D CAD File Preparation: This is possibly the biggest opportunity to save. Clients can’t make up their mind and change drawings over and over and over…grrr. Architects then have to scramble to make deadlines and this means a model gets changed over and over and over. If timelines are managed and locked down, the CAD technician can have the drawings finalized and ready to go and avoid the change order fees. Given a bit of time the model can be constructed to save on raw materials and thus further drive down the cost.Here’s an example:
This architecture firm saved tremendously on their modeling costs by hollowing out the model underneath the topography. An added benefit? This monster is much easier to move around too. - Recycle: Almost every commercial design project today is sold through renderings. More and more residential projects are going this route as well. So, why not repurpose all that 3d design work and simply build a model. Having multiple tools for explaining a vision gives firms a definite edge when pitching in a competition. It’s easy to print in 3d right out of popular programs like 3d Studio Max.
The options for integrating 3d architecture models in an affordable way into the design conversation is possible. Nobody needs to hire/abuse a student intern in a back room to build models out of cardboard and Tacky glue. Those days are gone forever (although it was one helluva a good initiation ritual!). Instead, a firm can cut back on its coffee and Mountain Dew budget and spend that money on tools that will move the process forward.