Explore I Blog I Crafting Collaborations in Modelmaking

Cassidy Wingrove, Associate and Modelmaker at FCBStudios, explains why collaborations between architecture practices and university students are proving so rewarding in an era where practice and education are becoming increasingly convergent.

This year we continued to develop our ongoing relationship with the Arts University Bournemouth and a group of their modelmaking students by working together on a live brief.

For modelmaking students theory is essential, but through the process of working on a live brief, they are exposed to the realities of practice: the constraints, the expectations, and the dynamics. Modelmaking is a key component of architectural visualisation, and through this type of collaboration, students are able to directly influence the design and execution of the final object, developing both their craft and their problem-solving abilities.

Produce a physical model of a past or current FCBStudios project and a research report with supporting samples of innovative materials and processes.
 
Our four individuals and their chosen schemes are as follows:
 
Violet Angel – Broadcasting Place
Lola Headington – Standish Gatehouse
Izzi Hopper – Three Chamberlain Square
Emma Thomas – The Bristol Zoo Project

For the practice, working with students is not just an exercise in teaching but also a means of bringing fresh ideas, creativity, and enthusiasm into the design process. Being able to tap into dedicated modelmakers enables us to benefit from very detailed, custom representations of our designs—enhancing client presentations and design development.

Moreover, this collaboration supports our commitment to professional development, ensuring a supply of skilled graduates who are better prepared to enter the workforce. Through investment in future talent, we can foster innovation and impact the industry's future standards.

Alongside technical skills, partnerships between practice and universities produce intangible social dividends. They introduce students to mentorship, networking, and a feeling of professional responsibility. Working on live projects encourages collaboration, accountability, and a sense of real-world implications—qualities that carry beyond the studio environment. This connection between education and practice serves individual careers but also the architectural profession as a whole.

Successful collaborations demonstrate the value of bringing together education and industry. They highlight how partnership plays a critical role in shaping skilled professionals, in promoting social responsibility, and in driving innovation. As more and more architectural practices recognise the benefits of collaborating with students in this way, the built environment is able to draw on a better trained, more attuned, and more capable workforce.

By keeping these relationships intact, we can ensure that architectural education remains vibrant, relevant, and closely tied to the realities of practice.

Cassidy Wingrove

If you would like to know more about further education in modelmaking visit https://aub.ac.uk/course/ba-hons-modelmaking