Architectural Model Scales Explained (1:20 to 1:500)

Scale isn't a formality on an architectural model — it's the single decision that determines what the model can actually show, how big it ends up, and how much it costs to build. We build across a 1:20 to 1:500 range, and each band in that range serves a genuinely different purpose. This guide walks through what each scale is actually good for, with real projects as examples.

1:500 — Masterplans and Urban Context

At 1:500, a large site stays physically manageable while remaining legible to a planning committee or investor. We built a 1:500 urban masterplan model for a developer whose scheme spanned multiple city blocks — residential towers, commercial retail, a public plaza, and underground parking — shown against existing buildings, road infrastructure, and a waterfront edge on a 2400mm × 1600mm base.

Investor-portable masterplan models often use a similar range — 1:300 to 1:1000 — built into a custom presentation case so a developer can bring the project to the investor rather than the other way around.

1:150 to 1:350 — Large Resort and Leisure Masterplans

For very large, experience-driven developments, a single scale sometimes can't do the job on its own. We built a dual-scale model for a large-scale waterpark and resort development: a 1:350 masterplan capturing the full site and spatial distribution, paired with a 1:150 detailed extract section that physically pulls out from within the masterplan base to reveal a key zone in greater detail. The combined model measures roughly 2.4m by 5m — one of the largest and most technically layered models in our portfolio.

1:200 — Residential Estates and Sales Galleries

1:200 is our most common scale for multi-unit residential developments. It's detailed enough that a buyer can locate their specific unit and read its relationship to neighbours, amenities, and the estate's road network — without the overall model becoming too large for a sales gallery. On a 120-unit residential estate, a 1:200 LED-lit model became the centrepiece of the sales gallery and helped the developer reserve 90% of Phase 1 units within 90 days of launch.

1:100 — Single Buildings in Detail

When the presentation is about one building rather than a whole site, 1:100 gives enough resolution to show facade rhythm, material character, and massing clearly. We've built corporate headquarters, standalone architectural models, and commercial towers at this scale — detailed enough to hold up to close inspection in a boardroom.

1:75 — Interactive Models

Interactive models — working lift systems, embedded touchscreens, zone-by-zone LED control — need a little more physical room than a standard presentation model to accommodate the mechanical and electronic components without compromising the finish. We've built several interactive commissions at 1:75, including a waterfront development with a working lift and voice-command system, and a residential model with a 24-inch embedded touchscreen control interface built directly into the model.

1:50 and Below — Villas, Hospitality Detail, and Landscape

At 1:50, there's enough room to show landscaping, pool detail, and material texture at a level that matters for a single villa or a boutique hospitality project. We've built interactive hotel models and topographic site models at this scale, where the level of surface and landscape detail is the whole point of the commission. Scales below 1:50, down to 1:20, are reserved for the smallest, most detail-focused commissions — a single house model or a close-up architectural feature.

Choosing the Right Scale for Your Project

The right scale depends on what you're presenting, who's in the room, and how much physical space your venue has. See our companion guide on how to choose the right scale for your project for a step-by-step walkthrough, our 1:100 vs 1:200 comparison for residential projects specifically, or explore our masterplan and residential model pages for more detail on each type.