The design process is not strictly linear and requires architects to think and draw on different scales simultaneously, considering every finished detail in the overall design. At a certain stage, we resort to 1:1 scale mock-ups to test and develop our proposed design concepts.
Mock-ups are an essential part of the process. Typically, on any given project there are two types: architectural (produced by RPBW during the design period) and on-site (produced by the contractors during the construction phase). The architectural mock-ups are often undertaken at the RPBW facility in Genoa and are typically an important moment in the design process, bringing together input from the entire team of designers, engineers, and clients.
Architectural mock-ups, typically undertaken toward the end of design development but before the construction documents are produced, provide the first opportunity to physically engage with the spatial qualities of the project at a 1:1 scale. Developed following numerous scale models and 1:1 details, the mock-ups allow the architect and client to come together to confirm direction, verify material selections and spatial qualities, and review constructability.
Following review and assessment of the mock-up, adjustments are made to the design. Over time, we have become convinced that this process is an opportunity to include a larger group in the design discussion and ensure that the ideas communicated to date through sketches, drawings, visualizations, and models are indeed aligned with the project's reality.
Ideally, the architectural mock-ups are also presented and studied by trades during bidding stages, as they are tremendously valuable tools that help manage both construction costs and quality.