Items where Year is 2026

Architectural models are an important part of architectural practice and culture, recording and communicating design process. Evidence of historic architectural models such as that held by the Thorp Modelmaking Archive and the internal archives of architectural practices such as Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), Foster + Partners, Make, and others provide valuable insights into the practices and processes that enable the development and communication of design concepts1. These models provide a tangible record of the social, political and technological concepts that have shaped the built environment, and the craftsmanship and creativity of the architectural modelmakers who make them2.
With the adoption of digital technology from the 1990s onwards, the tools and processes involved in creating architectural models rapidly developed3, with models made during the design process today heavily using 3D printing (3DP)4. As architectural models are increasingly archived these soon-to-be historic 3DP artefacts create new challenges for conservators.
This paper investigates the growing challenge of caring for culturally significant 3DP architectural models made by Zaha Hadid Architects, now in the collection of the Zaha Hadid Foundation (ZHF).

This article examines the preservation challenges posed by 3D printed architectural models as emerging heritage artefacts. Focusing on models from the Zaha Hadid Foundation collection, it compares the condition of earlier traditionally made architectural models with later 3D printed examples. The study used a site visit and sample condition survey, combining field notes, photographs, and non-invasive visual inspection of six models to assess materials, condition, and signs of deterioration. Findings indicate that traditionally made models from the 1980s and 1990s remain relatively stable, while more recent 3D printed nylon models show greater discolouration, fragility, and breakage. The article concludes that 3D printed architectural models present distinct conservation risks, particularly due to the limited understanding of the long-term behaviour of early 3D printing materials, and argues for improved analytical methods, storage strategies, and monitoring to support their preservation as part of architectural heritage.

As the fashion industry increasingly integrates 3D garment design software such as CLO3D, highly accurate digital avatars that replicate in house fit models has become essential. Standardised avatars are widely available but often fail to accurately align with a brand’s legacy sizing systems, which are typically based on specific fit models and bespoke measurements. British performance wear brand ThruDark’s dedicated consumer base is accustomed to a consistent garment fit, therefore, transitioning to digital sampling with software stock avatars would risk significant inconsistency in sizing and customer experience. Maintaining continuity with the existing fit model is critical, prompting the need for an accurate, efficient avatar creation process that supports ongoing production without disruption. For brands to fully leverage digital workflows and reduce reliance on physical sampling, accurate brand specific avatars are crucial.
This research - conducted in partnership with ThruDark - explores the creation and implementation of bespoke digital avatars. A comparison study includes manual anthropometric and 3D body scanning technologies which are evaluated for the creation of bespoke fit model avatars. A new avatar creation process pilot study allows critical insights into functionality and scalability. Based on this research a commercially viable workflow for generating digital avatars from brand-specific fit model data has been implemented at ThruDark.

Body modification undergarments - that alter, accentuate and create desirable silhouettes by applying force to the body or through structured wearable enhancements - have been used to throughout history.
In costume, historical body modification garments are important symbols for portraying wealth, position and historical context.
Garments that modify the body present a challenge for digital historical pattern creation as digital avatars are commonly solid 3D objects which are unable to ‘realistically respond to external forces’ e.g. 3D constructed/simulated garments. This study investigates harnessing body scanning and digital processes to create silhouetted avatars, to permit the digital production of historically accurate patterns that are accurate of an actor’s biometric data.
The research takes an empirical approach to test four experimental digital workflow methods and develops a specific process for body modification avatars. The processes are then applied and assessed through production of a digital 16th century historical costume garment. The results offer metric and observational insights into workflow consistency, dimension accuracy, and mesh usability.
The generation of ‘silhouetted period avatars’ using 3D body scans and historical body modification garments supports the digital creation of costumes with increased efficiency and historical accuracy.