Lesson video

Hi, I'm Miss Blue and I'm really excited to be learning with you today.

I hope you find our lesson as interesting as I do.

Let's get started.

The outcome of today's lesson is, I can construct a 3D architectural model using shapes, design ideas, and building techniques.

The keywords for today are 3D, a shape or object with height, width, and depth.

Model, a small-scale version of a structure used to test or present a design.

Structure, the parts of a building that hold it up and give its shape.

Stability, how well a structure stands without falling or wobbling.

Join, to connect two parts together using tape, glue, folds, or tabs.

Let's start with understanding models.

Let's have a look at this exciting picture.

I love all of the bright colours.

Which shapes do you notice when looking at architecture from around the world? What ideas could you borrow for your own 3D model design? Perhaps you might look at the bright primary colours, or take inspiration from the surrounding environment.

It almost seems like they borrowed the colour palette from nature, like the tall red flowers of green leaves.

The shapes used are really interesting.

I wonder if you could make those outta cylinders and cuboids from recycled materials.

Pause was the video here while you expand on your own ideas.

This architectural model is really impressive.

I wonder what materials it's been made from.

Pause the video while you have a think.

I love how there are different levels to it, different types of roofs and windows.

Why do you think the architects create models for their designs? Pause the video while you decide.

A good model doesn't just look nice.

It needs to stand up.

You can see how the model in this image stands on its own, making it an effective model.

You will learn ways to keep your model stable by reinforcing joins and choosing the right shapes.

Architects build and use small models to test and share their ideas before building real structures.

Models help spot problems early and show what the final building might look like.

On the left is an image of an architect making a model.

It seems like they're using a ruler to measure things so that everything fits together.

Buildings are often made from 3D shapes like cubes, cuboids, and cylinders.

These are examples of 3D shapes.

We can make these shapes out of card and recycled materials to make a model, which represents our architectural design.

I wonder what materials you have around you.

You can get as imaginative as you want to.

A fun challenge I like to set for myself is to see how many of these cube-like or cylinder-like shapes I can find around the house as recycled materials.

For example, plastic bottle caps or batteries, or even creating shapes out of aluminium foil, which is really easy to mould.

So what is a 3D model? Is it A, a flat drawing of the building, B, a life-sized building, C, a photograph of a famous building, or D, a small version of the building made to test or present a design? Pause the video while you decide on the correct answer.

If you chose D, you would be correct.

A 3D model is a small version of a building made to test or present a design.

This architectural model looks really fun and imaginative, almost like a greenhouse.

Architects build models to check how strong and suitable their designs are.

Models are an opportunity to explore ideas and discover what works.

I can imagine the difference between a sketch on paper and a real-life 3D model.

You might see things differently.

Having a layout plan, design sketch, and labels or notes about your model will help to guide the process of making your design.

In this architectural drawing, you can see hexagon honeycomb rooms and pods, recycled cardboard and glue to stick everything together, balconies and large windows for lots of light, and a beehive.

This drawing is really imaginative.

Make sure you have these close to hand and refer back to them to keep your 3D model on track.

Shape templates, also known as nets, can be used to create 3D forms. Look at how the preliminary net has formed a cube shape and the second net has formed a cylinder.

Use 2D nets to fold and build 3D shapes like cubes and cylinders by folding and joining them together.

Using 2D nets will help you to keep 3D shapes accurate and stable in your model.

Seeing the nets laid out like that makes it seem a lot simpler to get that 3D effect.

The thickness or thinness of your card will change how strong and stable your structures are.

Think about a stack of cardboard, like in the image on the left.

All of that together would be really strong and sturdy.

Use thick card for the big structures in your model, and use thinner card for smaller details.

Let's have a look at this model using cardboard.

Think about using recycled materials when possible to improve the sustainability of your project.

Pause the video while you have a think about how you can use recycled materials around you.

So let's decide, why do architects build models before making real buildings? Is it A, to check how strong and suitable their designs are, B, to decorate their desks, C, to avoid drawing plans, or D, because they don't like building big buildings? Pause the video while you come up with the correct answer.

The correct answer is A, architects build models before making real buildings in order to check how strong and suitable their designs are.

Working in groups or on your own, begin making the basic structures and shapes for your 3D model.

Pause the video while you work on this task.

Let's have a look at an example.

Izzy says, "We started making different structures for our model using shape nets for cylinders, adding bases by glueing and taping them in place." That's a really great and effective method.

Now, let's look at constructing and refining models.

It's time now to start constructing your own 3D model.

Now, you should gather materials.

You will need cardboard, recycled materials, paper, scissors, and glue or tape.

It might look something like the array of materials in the picture.

Coloured card and pencils are great to use if they're available to you.

Otherwise, I'm sure you have lots of different materials that could be recycled.

Pause the video while you work on this task.

Remember, you can join materials by using glue, tape, folding tabs, and slotted pieces of card.

Which is your favourite method? I think mine is trusty tape, but folding tabs and slotted pieces of cards are really effective also.

Choose the method that works best for you and your design and the materials that you have available.

Focus on getting the overall structure in place first.

Think about the floors, walls, and roof.

They're essential for buildings to stand up.

Remember to keep working collaboratively.

One person could hold a cardboard shape in place while someone else tapes, glues, or joins it together.

It looks like this person in the left has used recycled boxes to create their model from a net.

Remember, models do not have to be perfect.

This is a creative process where trial and improvement matter just as much as the final result.

If your model doesn't up well, think about ways you could strengthen and support it with extra joins, tape, or glue to make it more stable.

It looks like the person on the left in the image has made the model using popsicle sticks.

I wouldn't have thought to use those, but perhaps trial and improvement allowed them to get to that point, and now they've discovered it to be an effective method.

So, what is the best way to join two card shapes? Is it A, just push them together and hope that they stick, B, using glue or tape and folded tabs, C, to colour them first, or D, to use water? Pause the video while you work on your answer.

The correct answer is B.

The best way to join two card shapes is to use glue or tape and folded tabs.

In this image, you can see somebody using glue to join two pieces of card.

Remember to use extra tape, glue, folded tabs, or internal supports to strengthen your model and create stability.

Don't worry if something goes wrong, just adjust and improve.

I always remember to not judge myself if something doesn't work as I imagined it to.

Finding new ways to hold things up or join things together is always what makes the project exciting and the best it can be.

Once the main structure is in place, you can start to add architectural features, things like doorways, and let your creativity show.

This image example has innate windows.

I wonder how they created that.

I think they've also used recycled boxes as their materials.

They must have used a ruler to get those neat lines with their windows.

What other architectural features could you add to your structure? Pause the video while you come up with some ideas.

You may have said windows, arches, domes, or chimneys.

Think about the function and design of your model when considering these extra features.

You can also add surface details and textures to make your model look more colourful and realistic.

It seems like this person is adding watercolour paint to recycle toilet paper rolls.

That's such an imaginative way to create your model.

Use colouring pencils, pens, or paints to decorate your model's surface.

Often when we add colour to things, it's easy to recycle materials in a creative way.

Discuss your model with a partner or in a group.

What feedback can they give you, and how could you improve it? Pause the video while you have this discussion.

Let's have a look at this example design.

It's a very imaginative shape with lots of different rooms of different sizes.

Jacob says, "I love the overall design.

Adding more colour could bring it to life." I wonder what Sam will have to say.

"Are there any extra details that could be added in any of the rooms or spaces?" Those are both great points for improvement.

Can you imagine what the final result would look like with these improvements? Let's test your knowledge.

If your model wobbles or falls over, what should you do? A, throw it away and start designing again, B, hide it from the teacher, C, strengthen it by adding support or changing how pieces are joined, or D, add more colour to the design to decorate it? Pause the video while you come up with your answer.

If you chose C, you would be correct.

If your model wobbles or falls over, the best thing to do would be to strengthen it by adding support or changing how pieces have been joined.

Your next task is working together in groups or on your own, develop your own 3D architectural model by making and joining structures together.

Focus on building stable structures, adding creative features, applying colour or surface textures.

Pause the video while you work on this task.

You may have come up with something like Andeep.

They've said, "We made our model by glueing and taping together different pieces of cardboard together.

We decided as a group to add bright colours to help bring it to life and appeal to young or fun people!" Andeep's mentioned something crucial here.

They've thought about their target audience for the building.

This is a really great, effective way of communicating your ideas to your audience.

They need to know who your building is for and what type of community might appreciate it.

To summarise, architects use 3D models to plan and test building ideas.

Simple shapes like cubes, prisms, and cylinders can be used to construct buildings.

Structures must be stable and carefully joined for strength.

Thank you so much for listening and paying attention in today's lesson.

I hope you had fun and learned something new along the way.

See you next time.