Conceptual Modeling

Collect a simple repetitive shape like small blocks of woods, pennies, pebbles, twigs, or boxes. These simple forms describe different physical arrangements suggestive of enclosures. For example, layout a linear series of blocks. Add a perpendicular line of objects across the top, through the middle, or on the bottom. Next, create a linear wave. Use repetitive angles to create a patterned line. Finally, configure the boxes into shapes- a square, a rectangle, a circular enclosure. Modeling shapes as ideas help stimulate discussion. Physical models can be tools for collaboration. Having a kit of parts to move around to suggest ideas is always a good idea. Start collecting things and building ideas!

Conceptual models can be made up of almost anything. That said, one of the easiest things to use is paper. Paper by itself is flimsy. It will not stand up. But if crumpled and/or folded it can retain its shape. In this activity, you will create a series of small forms using paper, crumpled, cut, woven, curled, etc. Keep the models about the size of your hand and tape, cut, fold, form, and create different expressions of space using paper. NEXT.cc’s Paper Folding Journey has links to printable patterns that fold into very different Volumes. Start out by folding simple patterns and move onto more complex ones. Invent some of your own, too! When you are finished, make a composition with your paper folds. Take a picture or make an animated gif. Upload it to the gallery!

Look at NEXT.cc’s Material Journey. See the Material Quilts and Material models? All materials have different characteristics, strengths, vulnerabilities. Use two or more different materials to build, opening up the endless possibilities of relating objects, spaces, buildings, and environments. Conceptual Models use any found materials- wire, clay, cloth, foil, leaves, strings, buttons, etc. Watch this AIA video about architecture modeling for inspiration.


After experimenting, compose nine different single material models and arrange them in a 3 x 3 grid. Upload a picture to the Gallery!

Conceptual models can express relationships with the ground, the water, the land, and the sky!, Models visualize whether a structure is underground, in the background, on top, or above the ground! Each location suggests different possibilities to see a design by walking toward it, around it, where to enter it, occupy it, and experience different views to the outside. Use clay, foam, or cardboard contours to create different terrains. Explore different placements of structures on a site, photograph them, and upload them to the Gallery.

Conceptual Models helps us study and share site response ideas. Quickly create a series of shapes using different materials or found objects. Use these forms to describe different physical arrangements on a site. Use them to suggest different enclosures. For example, layout a linear site response. Add a perpendicular line of objects across the top, through the middle, or on the bottom. Next, create a linear wave. Use repetitive angles to create a patterned line.

Designers look at a site, or area of ground, like artists, look at a canvas with a community of creative contributors- clients, users, neighbors, contractors, etc. Ideas from everyone are welcome, and the designer responds by visualizing ideas in quick conceptual models; with models, people begin a discussion with something physical and visible. Try to place building concepts on site plans through a series of different studies about where and how a building or structure could be situated. Will it be to the top of the site, in the middle, at the bottom, or on one side? What do different placement strategies provide for people, the nature of the site, and the biodiversity of life? How does the placement of a structure affect its neighbors and neighborhoods? Take any vacant site and propose a design in different places with different expressions.

Start a discussion with your community!

Some conceptual models quickly study the façade or outside surface of a structure. Is it solid? Is it transparent? Is it patterned? Watch this video of different ideas for opening or closing up a façade. Experiment between vertical and horizontal openings. Try diagonal openings! try symmetrical and asymmetrical openings on the facade. How about circular openings? Every expression offers a different image. The question is, when to use which expression and why?! Make three different models of façade openings.

Public spaces are in every city. Some are active, others abandoned, and some underutilized. Looking at Google Maps, find a public space or asphalt schoolyard or parking lot in your community to activate. Make a small-scaled site plan (on an 81/2” x 11” piece of cardboard). Be sure to build the edge conditions; these might be buildings, trees, water, etc. What can activate the site? Try different approaches. Think paths, destinations, fields, spaces and landscape elements. Consider murals on the ground and surround buildings to draw attention, share a message, and welcome people. Collaborate in teams and produce different scenarios! Start a discussion!

Sometimes a model of a block or part of a neighborhood is requested. This model shares ideas on a larger area at a smaller scale. It might reveal existing buildings, new areas to activate, green spaces, water presence, streets, paths, etc. Take a look NEXT.cc’s Green Cities Journey and create a small neighbor with buildings, streets, and green spaces. Are the streets at angles? Are they at 90 degrees? Do they follow a river? Try to create a series of different conceptual models - Intimate/ monumental, fractured/whole Intimate/ monumental, fractured/whole, transparent/solid, meditative/active and label them. Intimate/ monumental, fractured/whole spaces to monumental spaces with different planar development using conceptual sketching. See how your conceptual models can communicate different shapes and scales of space experiences.

• How does conceptual modeling take part in the designing process?
  • a. Visualizing ideas (design thinking)
  • b. Exploring ideas (design research)
  • c. Communicating ideas (design making)
  • d. All of above
• Conceptual Models are only helpful for the beginning stages.
  • True
  • False
• Simple shapes and forms can suggest organizational structure, can build a visual database and process recording of ideas that can be reviewed, selected, and informed throughout the design process.
  • True
  • False
• Conceptual Modeling not only introduces ideas of flat shapes but also forms and spaces such as volume, interior space, and even terrain.
  • a. Yes. A conceptual model can suggest different scales and sizes of topography, structures, and interiors.
  • b. No. Impossible, a conceptual model can not expose interior space.
• What ideas can a conceptual model communicate?
  • a. plan ideas (looking down from above)
  • b. Sections (looking at a vertical cut)
  • c. Elevation (looking at a single side or facade)
  • d. Isometric (looking at an orthographic 3-D projection)
  • e. All of the above And more!
• A conceptual model can interact with the site and the landscape.
  • Yes, a conceptual model can include site developments (such as green area, sand area, pathways, riverway, etc.)
  • No, a conceptual model can only include the architecture of the construction.
• A conceptual model has little influence on a highly complex project.
  • True. A conceptual model limits accuracy and is not applicable in a complicated project.
  • False. Ideas from the beginning throughout the design process shift conceptual model scales and visualize and articulate solutions.