Architectural
Model

A building worth recognizing deserves more than a photograph. TBKD fabricated a custom architectural model of the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) office and control tower, recreating the distinctive structure as a detailed 1:40-scale building model for promotional use.

Developed entirely from photographs, without architectural drawings or CAD files, the project combined architectural foam fabrication, CNC sculpting and detailed hand finishing to capture the building’s recognizable design. But this wasn’t just a miniature version of an airport building.

Creating a scale building model requires more than reducing the dimensions of a full-size structure. The challenge is preserving the architectural features that make the original building recognizable while translating them into a smaller physical form.

For the EIA project, the 1:40 scale provided a balance between architectural detail and a practical display size for promotional applications. The finished replica captures the distinctive silhouette of the office building and control tower, allowing viewers to appreciate the structure’s form and proportions from multiple angles.

Architectural foam offered a practical fabrication method for reproducing the airport building’s geometry while keeping the completed display suitable for transportation and event use. TBKD used CNC sculpting to create the principal architectural forms, followed by hands-on refinement and finishing to reproduce the building’s recognizable exterior details.

The combination of digital fabrication and sculptural craftsmanship allowed us to develop a detailed architectural foam model from the original photographic references. Particular attention was given to the proportions of the control tower and adjoining office structure, ensuring the finished model maintained the visual identity of the Edmonton International Airport building.

The EIA architectural model was designed to do more than represent a building. It also needed to engage visitors. A discreet business-card slot was incorporated into the top of the control tower, allowing visitors to submit entries into a promotional contest.

This interactive feature was integrated into the architectural design without compromising the recognizable appearance of the building replica. The upper section of the tower was also designed to be removable, providing access to concealed storage inside the model.

Custom building replicas can be powerful promotional tools when a physical location or architectural landmark is part of an organization’s identity. The Edmonton International Airport model was created for use across different promotional environments, including airport locations, hotel conferences and trade shows.

In an airport setting, the replica provides a recognizable representation of the building. At conferences and trade shows, it becomes a dimensional focal point that attracts attention and encourages interaction.

Architectural models are often associated with planning presentations, real estate developments and design visualization. But their applications extend well beyond traditional architectural presentations. The EIA project demonstrates how a custom architectural model can combine visual accuracy with practical functionality.

Its integrated contest-entry slot, removable tower section and concealed storage were developed around the display’s intended promotional use. Depending on the application, custom architectural models can also incorporate lighting, removable components, branded features and other interactive elements.