The design intention of Hearst Tower was to integrate US heritage preservation work with modern architecture.

Norman Foster’s brilliant design was expanding the historical relic by constructing a dramatic soaring tower on top of it.

This provokes an interesting dialogue between old and new.

And it won the Gold and Platinum certifications under the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

Before commencing the office building model producing work, our architectural model makers sent an elite team to the US to visit the actual building.

Modelers prudentially measured and photographed the original six-story podium built-in 1928 to fully capture the historical character.

And then our architectural model makers in the US recreated every tiny element, including sculpture and painting on the building facade using our in-house digital facilities.

The cast stone external wall was fabricated exactly corresponding to the materials and texture of the original structure.

Notably, architectural model makers use transparent Plexiglas for the ground floor windows and punched-out windows above.

This allows the viewers to appreciate the interior design of the historical podium as much as possible.

More importantly, it helps to showcase a marriage between classic architecture and modern arts.

For the structurally triangulated steel and glass tower, RJ Models used high-quality acrylic and ABS.

And painted the semi-finished products repeatedly create an arresting exterior building appearance.

The finished building model precisely matches the color and material specification from the US client.

Rarely has a scale model so successfully portrayed such a unique and unprecedented design.

For RJ Models, being able to complete such a high-quality model is a proud accomplishment.

The finished model not only fulfilled the US clients’ expectation but exceeded them to a great extent.

It adds new blood to the architectural conversation by showcase the historic exterior and modern synergistic skyscraper at the same time.

As an iconic replica of US’ contemporary architecture, this model is considered as a statement of peace and harmony.

3. One World Trade Center Scale Model by SOM

Scale: 1: 500                 Size: 1100mm x 750mm             Production Time: 2 weeks

To focus on the structure, RJ Models created the surrounding buildings, streets, and landscapes in a simplified way.

This 1:500 scale model shows the bold and avant-garde design style of the One World Trade Center in New York.

Designed by the famous SOM Architecture, this is one of the structures that define the New York skyline.

This is considered a landmark in the city, known for the simple and clear form.

Moreover, it is an innovative mix of architecture, sustainability, urban design, and safety.

The iconic tower is built from a cubic base, and rises as the edges are chamfered back.

This forms eight triangles as the faces of the structure. This produces an overall effect similar to a crystal, displaying refracted light in different ties of the day.

The model made by architectural scale model company, RJ Models is lit from the inside, simulating the bright and reflective facade of the tower.

This tower is inspired by New York City icons such as the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building.

This development replaces almost one-fourth of the offices which were lost on September 11, 2001. However, the One World Trade Center is considered a bold icon and a vision for the future.

3. Brickell City Center Shopping Mall Model

Scale: 1: 100                 Size: 4000mm x 3000mm x 1800mm            Production Time: 4 weeks

This 1:100 scale model for Brickell City Center Shopping Mall was produced to depict the forthcoming mixed-use development in Miami, US.

The design intention of this ambitious project was constructing a high-end shopping mall in the dense area of the city.

Design by Miami-based Arquitectonica, US, the five-million-square-foot shopping mall features three levels of retail shopping.

And it will bring a fresh and modern urban lifestyle and sophistication to downtown Miami, US.

Architectural model makers used laser-cut sprayed acrylic, textured with laser engraving, to produce most of the structures.

Sculpted in the high level of detail and hand-painted, this shopping mall model also features a lifting function.

Therefore, the viewers can have a glimpse of the interior layout and have a preliminary understanding of the shop arrangements.

The posters, shop brand, interior decoration, recreational facilities, all kinds of goods were mimicked vividly to set off a new wave of purchase.

RJ Models also emulated other structures like the 80-story mixed-use skyscraper, to generate a complete scenario.

The most prominent feature of the model is the ‘Climate Ribbon’ rooftops.

RJ Modelers mimicked the undulating and curvaceous structures using frosted acrylic and light them up with LED lights installed inside.

All the roof canopies have etched texture and sprayed with a metal finish to reveal the unique design at scale.

Lushly landscaped esplanades is another memorable bright spot of this shopping mall model.

RJ Models selected specific tropical plants to represent the local environmental distinctions.

Figures and model vehicles were also added to act as a scale reference and to create a bustling commercial atmosphere.

The entire model was made in sections for easy transportation and display.

Completed with outstanding LED lighting and realistically miniature plants, RJ Models brilliantly brings the design of urban oasis to life.

The finished architectural model building project by RJ Models fully absorbs the soul of design, and it is definitely an artistic expression of the design strategies.

4.  The Venetian and Palazzo Hotel Model

Scale: 1: 150                 Size: 600mm x 465mm x           Production Time: 4 weeks

Inspired by LasVegas’ Venetian Hotel Resort, the Venetian&Palazzo Hotel was designed to be a flagship casino resort in the US.

Jointly designed by Aedas and HKS, the resort has a total area of 10,500,000-square-foot.

And it is the largest casino holiday paradise in the world.

The US clients were looking for a detail hotel model which gave a comprehensive and sophisticated feel of the proposed project.

To achieve this, our architectural model makers in the US worked seamlessly and overcame a number of model planning and design challenges.

Namely, how to highlight the new proposed hotel while remaining other landmarks standout.

The supreme master of RJ Models decided this model needed a hands-on approach adopting both cutting-edge techniques and hand skills.

RJ Models produced this scale model with an appropriate level of detail and well-selected color pallets.

For the key displaying area, even the smallest details are in place.

Other features like the romantic streets and gondola rides were almost emulated by RJ  Modelers according to the real thing.

These entourage elements together added interest and glamour to the scale model.

Perspex and clear acrylic were widely used to demonstrate the surrounding structures and environments, in correspondence to the blueprints.

Having a range of advanced techniques and creative modelers with exceptional skills, RJ Models achieve the desired display effect breezily.

This model was made prior to reveal Venice’s classic charming characters and US’s local architectural features.

And the final product is really a vivid effect showing.

It is genuinely attractive and compelling to the public and potential investors.

With added touches of lighting, this model pulls the viewers into the scene as they are walking on the site.

This hotel model is absolutely a masterpiece that came from modern art and architecture of the US.

It associated the US clients in their design process, as well as in the project presentation.

They really appreciated RJ Models’ work and praised that we created an exquisite tiny world than many other US model making company.

Theme Park Model in the US 

Scale: 1: 250                 Size: 1600mm x 1200mm            Production Time: 4 weeks

This is an exhibition theme park model for an amusement park in the US.

The scale model faithfully restores the various facilities inside the amusement park for visitors and viewers can easily locate where they are and choose what to play next.

For different facilities, our architectural model makers install different color LED lights to match the theme in the US.

When the lights are turned on, the scale model shows the fantastic scenes the designers create for the visitors.

The model making experts put lots of efforts into details as usual.

For a different part of the amusement park, different tiles are used.

At the northwest corner of the theme park model, there are some sands to mimic the desert landscape, which greatly increases the richness and authenticity of the model.

US Coast Guard Headquarters Architectural Model in the USA WDG

Scale: 1: 150                 Size: 1400mm x 1100mm              Production Time: 3 weeks

RJ Models has created a project for government property, a landscape model of the US Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

This plan began construction in 2009, which then serves as a new headquarters for the US Coast Guard. By July 2013, the development was finished and was used by various offices of the institution. This building complex unified the previously scattered workforce around Washington, D.C.

RJ Models worked with this architectural scale model under a simple framework.

However, this landscape model has high requirements in terms of complicated and trivial details. The architectural scale model making company team achieved this scale model with calculations regarding designed and cut materials.

The development is characterized by glass curtain walls and panels that complement the surrounding green landscape.

The modelers created the terrain contours to be accurate to the original landform.

Not only accurate, but the contours provide beauty all over the model as they are placed in consistent grain direction.

One Post Office Square Office Building Model by Gensler in the US 

Scale: 1: 400                 Size: 500mm x 500mm              Production Time: 4 weeks

This is an architectural model for an office building with a scale of 1:480.

The minimalist principle is adopted in the production of this model and unnecessary decorations and sceneries are omitted to reduce the interference of attention.

Even though the building office model is just a present of the shape of the office building, the exquisite craftsmanship does not have any deterioration.

The four-sided curtain wall of the model is produced by CNC, which can replace the manual production process, speed up the making process, and increase the accuracy of each component.

RJ Models use only white and transparent materials in this office building model and conveys a modern and noble feeling at first glance.

Master Plan Timber City Model in New York by SOM

Scale: 1: 100                 Size: 768mm            Production Time: 3 weeks

This is a New York city planning model under the request of SOM, which has completed lots of important projects all over the world.

After cooperating with SOM many times, RJ Models has become its master planning model maker with first-class quality and efficiency.

This scale model is placed on a circular base, and the entire model is made of woods, including the base.

Limited by the 1:1000 scale, each building does not have too many details, even the world-famous Chrysler Building or the Empire State Building.

Because of the high density of New York, there is a large number of buildings in the timber model, which is a huge challenge for the modelers, since they need to manually engrave them one by one.

The unique hard and sharp characteristics of wood make the model consistent with SOM’s style.

Broadway Elite LLC Perla Scale Models

Scale: 1: 100                 Size: 600mm x 400mm x 1800mm            Production Time: 2 weeks

This residential building model is for Perla on Broadway, in the downtown of Los Angeles.

The Perla is another luxury apartment in that area, so the overall style of this scale model is inclined to luxury and nobility, striving to create a consistent atmosphere for the client.

RJ Models adds abundant landscapes and scenes to restore life scenarios.

There are roof gardens on the roof of the lower floors, which is going to be the main leisure place for residents.

Scaled loungers, swimming pools, and green plants are put in the roof garden, showing the life scene to the potential buyers and increasing the sale.

In addition, our architectural model building experts in the US from RJ Models accurately restore the surroundings of the block according to other information, displaying the living facilities, landscapes, and transportations of the block.

New York Bay Master Plan Model  

Scale: 1: 100                 Size: 600mm x 400mm             Production Time: 2 weeks

This is a wooden model for the New York Harbor and costs RJ Models one month to finish it.

The scale of the wooden model is 1:1800, which means the unnecessary details must be omitted and attention needs to be put on the overall layout of the harbor area.

There are hundreds of buildings in this wooden model, the relatively important buildings, landmarks, and some transport nodes are made of frosted acrylic sheets; the other buildings and roads are made of wood.

White color LED lights are installed in those acrylic building models, catching the viewers’ eyes immediately.

Striped white LED lights are installed on important traffic lines, with a strong sense of technology and futuristic.

This wooden model, because of its exquisiteness, can be used not only for research, planning but also for exhibitions.

COT Echelon Seaport Residential Building Model in Boston

Scale: 1: 125                 Size: 1500mm x 1200mm             Production Time: 3 weeks

This is a residential building for the COT Seaport Apartment in Boston.

RJ Models’ experts present the living environment and facilities in that area, showing the clients and potential buyers of a livable and pleasant scene.

There are different heights in each one residential building, so a large number of roof garden has become a highlight of this apartment.

Buyers can choose a more suitable type of apartment because the model is three dimensional and better than the rendering stereo, which is more consistent with people's cognitive habits.

What is also worth knowing is that for the façade of each building model, transparent acrylic materials are used in large quantities, not only demonstrates the designer's intentions but also shows buyers the good view of the house.

2254 Site Model by KPF

Scale: 1: 725                 Size: 600mm x 800mm             Production Time: 3 weeks

This is a planning model for the 2254 Site, which is planned by KPF, one of the top-level design companies in the world and dedicated to the integration of architecture and environment and the improvement of the environment.

RJ Models has cooperated with KPF many times all over the world.

The wooden architectural model’s base is made of wood, using the same material as the other buildings in the model. The darker wood is used for the buildings to distinguish between surroundings and the base.

For the central part of this planning model, white plastic material is used.

For those buildings, the interior slabs, columns and other structures are still made of wood, while the façade is highlighted by white mesh structures, which are made by CNC.

Scaled trees are installed in the model by modelers one by one, because of the special characteristic of wood, modelers must be very careful during engraving and installation.

2807 New York Tower Office Building Model by KPF 

Scale: 1: 500                 Size: 200mm x 350mm             Production Time: 2 weeks

This is a white architecture model for the 2807 Office Building tower in New York. The office building is designed by KPF, an old client of RJ Models.

This model is used for the research of KPF’s designers, thus unnecessary details are omitted to eliminate distractions.

One of the highlights of the design is the irregular undulating façade. To accurately and precisely reflect the intention, model makers from RJ must paste each piece manually.

In this office building model, only white PVC is adopted by modelers, so the client can ignore other tiny factors and observe the design and construction of the building itself.

Even the size of this model is just 200mm x 350mm, model experts still spend an entire week to polish each part of the model and make another excellent production.

Rock Beach Club Model

Scale: 1: 100                 Size: 1100mm x 800mm            Production Time: 2 weeks

This model is for the Rock Beach Club in America.

The highlight of this villa model is the irregular twisted ring-shaped ceiling.

To precisely reflect a designer’s creative idea, 3D Printing technique is adopted, which has a great advantage in making such irregular part.

Since the lightweight material is carefully selected in the production, the huge ceiling can be supported by a few thin columns, as if it was a floating ring.

Except for the ring part, buildings, and landscapes of the model all cut in the straight angle do not have any curve or rounded angle, conveying a tough sense and responding to its “rock” name.

The small lighthouse, at the edge of the model, indicates the seaside environment.

KPF 2826 Timber City Planning Model

Scale: 1: 500                 Size: 750mm x 450mm             Production Time: 4 weeks

This is a master planning model for the Timber City, designed by KPF, the world well-known architectural company.

The design highlight of this model is that each part of the model can be taken off independently, leaving room to the subsequent planning and design.

Governments or investors can use the planning model to plan urban development or to find geographical advantages and make an investment.

In this model, buildings are simplified to cuboid block, speeding up the making process and showing the required content in a clear way.

Except for the several light green spaces, other parts of the model all made of wood and do not have any color to decorate.

Since the whole model is wood color, it conveys a natural and harmonious feeling by our architectural model maker in the US.

Biscayne Bay Residential Building Model 

Scale: 1: 96                 Size: 1200mm x 950mm            Production Time: 2 weeks

This is a residential model for the apartment located in Biscayne Bay, Miami.

The most unique design of the residential building model is that the façade is wavy, echoing its seaside location.

This design gives a great challenge to the model makers.

It is not possible to simply splicing each part but must be accurately aligned according to the drawings.

In this scale model, yellow lights are used for the streetlights, while white lights are selectively installed in the residential building, which vividly reflects the live scene after the lights are lit at night.

For the apartment, the scale model makers in the US only use white and transparent materials; while for the streetscape and roof garden, more materials are adopted to simulate the life scene.

SFO Residential Model

Scale: 1: 960                 Size: 3040mm x 2242mm           Production Time: 4 weeks

This is a residential model of a seaside apartment and its surroundings.

The base of the model is a semicircular, irregularly plane.

On the one hand, it adapts to the curved design of the main building, on the other hand, unnecessary constructions are omitted to reduce interference and saving model making time.

The apartment has an oversized balcony and unrivaled sea view.

Our architectural model makers in the US vividly shows the usage scenarios in the future by adding a lot of scale people, scale maritime models lounge chairs and other sceneries, attracting potential clients to buy the apartment.

Model makers use a variety of materials to create this model and present a very rich usage scenario to the viewers.

The exquisite cutting and craftsmanship convey a sense of luxury, matching the apartment positioning

Conclusion

RJ Models has a proud track record in assisting clients in the US with a thoughtful and passionate approach in bringing outstanding architectural design into the physical realm.

Although RJ Models has won a high reputation in making a site model architecture for clients all over the world, our professional modelers will still keep up the pace of the design trends in the US, while upgrading production standards at the same time.

And we are fully capable of obtaining the best and optimal value for US customers’ investment.