30 Minute Study Model - Here's How 

Links to all the materials, tools + details here: thirtybyforty.com/blog/building-a-30-minute-study-model

My faculty be like : where the hell is your north sign on the model ???

Happy to see a nice full length video again, I know you are quite busy so this video is extremely appreciated! As always pure quality! : )

I feel like 30x40 is our RU-vid teacher for architecture that we actually like to listen to. You’re very inspiring as a channel and architect. Thanks for the efforts!

I'm a 27yo professor in a dental technician school in Italy, and there's nothing that connects it to architecture: but man, seeing your videos on the channel, makes me "regret" of not having studied architecture 😂

Great video, again. I tell my students that the goal isn't to check the boxes (which digital tools can push us towards). We need to slow down, trust the process, and see where the idea takes us.

I'm actually a Production Design student with a concentration in Set Design and Art Direction. But a lot of the planning stages are similar to architecture. I have a love for it and these videos are so helpful in motivating me to keep working on what I truly love to do -- designing space.

Im not even an architect but the video quality and the art style of model making you do is so informative!

Fantastic! The selection and use of materials for the model informs the client an idea what the final build can be. I work with scenic designers in the theatre. Their model show exactly what the set is will look like.

The modelling is Inspired. And inspiring. Your video making and editing are also excellent quality. I even loved the brush cleanup shot at the end. Thank you Eric. I truly appreciate the precision that goes into making these models evoke the sensation of the actual site and structures, and I appreciate your sharing your insights.

As a product and comunication designer, I agree with you that there is nothing better than using real materials and working manually on this things, rather than digitally. Obviously we need to learn how to make it digital too, but being able to create physically first, is something that helps a lot to visualize your product better than any drawing or 3D model. Great video, I really enjoy watching this things being made. It surprises me how I never thought of becoming an architech since I always loved this things, hahaha!

As usual it had me engaged but also calm as usual. Love your work since COVID lockdown. You’ve gotten me drawing and designing again. Stay safe

Love this channel. I have binged it all in the last few months. Thanks so much for sharing your insights and process. Cheers.

Years ago these videos inspired me to think about going into architecture. While I ended up in engineering instead, this channel still inspired be when it comes to design in general, so thank you!

Great stuff. Perfect approach. Clear, concise, articulate, expressive and practical.

Incredible work, simple and straightforward narration, and such a great video edit! Very helpful.

Big fan of the Hot Glue gun. With practice, the craft is not compromised. And it's about what you are talking about, super quick, helps with iterative process.

The X-acto number 2 knife/blade was/is the best for me. Nothing like it comes close. I got my architectural degree from University of Florida in 1990 but only spent 6 months in the profession due to unfortunate circumstances. It's a regret I carry with me to this day. I love architecture and when I was studying in school, I was know as the best model maker in my class. I would become obsessed with realizing every detail of my designs through my 3-D models. Dang, I miss those days!

I've been struggling with feelings of hopelessness in my arch degree but your videos always inspire me, cheers mate.

Thanks for sharing this. I love watching practical methods for mockups and ideation.

Eric Man! I can say, I never had a model making class this good. I think we all could have benefitted from some of your tips and tricks during studio. For me it was a bit of fumbling, learning from your fumbling classmate, and shielding your ego from the critics. This video brings me back to those days, in a good way.

So glad to see a model video. After years of hard work, sketches, and 3 models, we will finally begin construction of our dream house soon. Thanks to you and your videos for a lot of inspiration for our project. Greetings

Looking forward to your next video posting. Your work approach is inspired and inspiring!

Thank you for your great tips! I think you inspire so many people!!! Please keep going as long as you have so much passion for architecture in you!

Wow, even your sketch model is much more cleaner than my final one. I appreciate all the tips you gave, they will definitely help improve my models.

Great presentation…informative..practical…visually captivating…thanks

The model is really cool. It's smart to work with a mix of different materials, but at a small scale like 3/32". Once again, another great video! Thanks for sharing.

This is beautiful, thank you for showing us how you work. It’s really inspiring.

I LOVE THE WAY YOU PRESENTING THANK YOU SO MUCH

The timing on this video, I just sat down to start my 2nd semester study model and this video pops up! This will help me so much, thanks a lot, appreciate it 🙏.

Thoroughly enjoyed that, thank you for sharing your knowledge

Currently in my grad program and this is a tremendous help, since my program is a 3 year where I’m coming in with no prior experience. Also recently sliced myself exactly the same way you described it with an exacto blade 😂

Excellent work. Great tutorial. Thank you

I appreciate your work! Thank you!

Love the hands on approach great mind mate

Very informative video and creative work too, thanks for sharing!

Great video. Thanks for sharing Eric

This has fully inspired me to model my next project, thanks Eric, amazing video as always!!

This was super inspiring, thanks for taking the time :)

Very beautiful, amazing work 😃

I've always loved doing miniature works! They really help me out when I'm in my Achitecture independent study💙💛👍🏾

Nice seeing video like this😍. Another way to show architectural ideas & concepts. Great also for presentation to our clients👏 Salute!

So happy to see someone else is using the OLFA knife! It's been my favorite since the college days and I still have the big and small ones with me and using them daily. Not a huge fan for the exacto knife for the same reason you mentioned. Also the metal ruler with cork back was my fav tool because I didn't want to ruin my plastic triangle many people used for cutting.

I'm glad to see and watch your videos again

Thanks for this in depth video! So many great ideas to try out. I use hot glue often in film industry modelmaking, and have found that turning a can of keyboard air duster (Dust Off brand, etc.) upside down sprays liquid instead of air (not recommended in the instructions lol), and it cools and sets hot glue joints rapidly, allowing me to work faster.

Well presented, architect! 100%

Not exclusively but I use a SHED Roof so often it is part of my LOGO. Always great content Eric. Thanks

Your videos make me proud of joining architecture ❤️ Love from Nepal🇳🇵

Im one of those in students who is very broke and no guidance to produce quality project plates. Always in awe with my classmates who can draw and craft very well. Internet and digital designs provided an equal level playing field. Thank god

Eric love this model amazing and thanks for sharing the process 🙏🏽

Beautiful - reminiscent of a traditional Japanese house with zen garden.

Love the thought process.

The video is very interesting and thoughtful, thank you for sharing!

대학시절 생각이 많이나네요. 밤새도록 만들고, 교수님께 평가받고 그랬는데... 요즘은 컴퓨터로 대부분하다보니 아쉬운점도 있어요. 훌륭한 영상 감사합니다.👍👍

Nice model cutting, nicer sketching

Man i love your work, ihave not finish the video, and i was doing some work on pc but the moment i saw the notification i jumped here, i feel the support now, coz im doing my youtube also about mindset, However i know you are reading this So pls keep the work up I love ittttttt mannnnnn 🙏🏽🙏🏽

Might be my favorite video on this channel. Physical model building is so underrated now since we can make computer-generated models.

I have been meaning to get some model making material but I haven't gotten around to it. As someone who is not an architect/architecture student I really like playing around with different materials when it comes to products and spaces so maybe I should let this video motivate me to finally buy the material

I found the channel I didnt know Ive been looking for.

Beautiful!

very cool. thanks for all the detail. been wanting to try my hand at model making. this gives me a great jumping off point.

great video for information, you have such a way with people

We're working with a client who has changed the roofline and fascia proportions of their build three times now (we're not through framing yet). We've even lowered an already assembled roof frame 12". These changes are running into the tens of thousands of dollars, all despite detailed plans and 3D models. I can't help but wonder if these people could have gained a better sense of proportion and overall aesthetic by doing a model like this. Really love the layers and understated proportions of this design, btw.

Had a similar experience with the metal ruler in college as well, only I managed to cut across 3 of my fingers and nails... Not sure what it says about us, but I was more concerned about all the blood ruining my model instead of going to ER. I was fortunate I waited one more cut before replacing the blade... It was quite dull at that point, but still did a lot of damage. Model was fine and got a great grade on it.

Btw…. Great work and little hacks. I like your leaving an edge on the base of structures. I plan to keep that one in mind now. I do mostly furniture and artists studio equipment , so building models to 1:6 or 1:12 allows me to use the Pichen ultra realistic scale people. They are fully articulated 30+ points and skinned with soft silicone. They also have less realistic version android style . They really help with adjustable and modular design work. Thanks for the inspiration

getting real close to the 1M , congrats!! finally was able to order a "blank" notebook, its pretty good!! I will refill! ,,, saludos!!

I am so lazy for awhile,so I think this video will push me to start 💪🔥

your table set up 🙌🏾

Great presentation and commentary. BTW, one of my calligraphy students observed your class, as he is a follower, as am I. What he observed was the 3 finger use of your hold. He said, sir, this is a habit you needed to stop, in us, to prevent finger and muscle fatigue. I asked what is your point? His response, "I wondered if he too experiences finger and muscle fatigue?" Great question. He further stated, "After his habit was cleared, the finger and muscle fatigue stopped. My population age is 25 and older. Many thanks!

Premium architecture content out there...also waiting for an update on THE OUTPOST project ...so invested in that

Fantastic! New sub here. I've been binge-watching your channel this morning.

Very interestung from first to last second 🙂

Great video, i think that's the best way to get a quick 3D look at your project. Digital modeling may require more definition in a project which resumes in more time spent on modeling, and less on thinking architecture. Models aren't for show, they're tools.

I loved the so much that I double-tapped on it thinking that’s the easiest way to like it not knowing I was forwarding it….. the goof of a century 😂😅😂😂

so creative

I love this, gives me a lot of inspiration

As always pure quality...

that is such a nice way to break the tip of the blade!!!

Gracias, buen video ..!!

I appreciate your vocabulary.

as an architecture student myself i can't believe someone actually ENJOYS model making and is good at it. mesmerizing to watch, could never be me unfortunately

very nicely expressed ideas. so informative and inspiring video

Good video. Good point about the gripping. I'll wrap anything with either rubber bands or stretchy silicone tape to make it grip easier. About the blades. What you say about X Acto #11s good points. I sharpen blades to get more use. The thin X Acto blades I've found when I sharpen them (Those small diamond sticks, red, blue....) the blades lose their edge shape and then tend to wander. Utility blades (anything like your snap off knife or bigger) keep their edge shape. I don't like the snap off blades because they always wobble. Learning how to sharpen has been a really useful skill. 300/1000 diamond 'stone', those little diamond sticks and Scary Sharp (sand paper on float glass), and a ceramic stick in the kitchen (keep cleaning it and replace it every year or so. Wrap some of that stretchy silicone tape over one end of 1/2" pvc pipe, magnets or tape it to the top of your microwave - sheath for the ceramic stick. It'll never roll off the counter and shatter.) I use scary sharp on chisels, plane blades, kitchen knives. When you plane soft western red cedar and then give the blade a tune up after an hour and notice a difference? You're dialed in. I used to think edges were as sharp as they were ever going to be when I took them out of the packaging. Now the first thing I usually do is sharpen them. re: hot glue. I've found the Surebonder H-195F has the narrowest bead and best control of any hot glue gun. Uses mini sticks. (I've got minis all the way up to a $200 industrial one that I always get burned using) I think most model and prop makers use super glue and accelerator. I've made a lot of modeling parts ripping down those spruce 2x3s from Home Depot (Now a lot of them are fir which is still good, but not for small model making.) I use a table saw $800 (25 years ago) with a $600 Incra fence... so not something you'd buy for architecture school. (If they have a table saw how good is the blade? If it's not well taken care of, buy whatevers the smallest Diablo blade that will fit on it's shaft. Even 7.25" Just change the blade out when you use it.) You can dial in really precise thicknesses. And the spruce is soft enough you can easily hand sand 1/8" off any small piece. Once you, or find someone, starts making bits and bobs from $2.50 2x3s your options are wide open.

Amazing

Amazing work dude... very helpful.

I said it before, and I'll say it again: PHYSICAL MODEL-MAKING WILL NEVER DIE!

Hi, I've been a fan of your work for quite some time, also in the field in Kingston, Jamaica. I don't know if you've ever considered teaching, I mean, in a way your RU-vid series is a form of that. But the way you put your thoughts together and convey the concepts within your design processes are informative an educational. Many could benefit from some one on one time with you in a class format. Thank you for such wonderful content.

My sketch models were cardboard, tape and t-pins. I enjoyed the video

I love this...

You are the best. Always inspiring me and my friends to do better. Thank you. Keep up the good work.

I love this, the best thing of architecture is the headaches it gives to builders 😅

Thanks for the video and inspiration provided by watching it..I need to donate soon!..keep it up!

Damnnnnnn you are too good!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gosh this reminds me off my torture of making models. This is why i mike to have an idea of dimensions before making these. Which my teachers do not approciate 😅 since it makes me very slow rip. Love the setup! I also used 2 mats. I have also the big cutting knife, and a smaller one with sharper black blades. Its not yet an exacto knofe tho. Id recommend it too.

can you upload another model video please, it's so satisfying to watch and easy to learn, all love ❤

Have designed a model house with board by board construction. It is the only way to find mistakes in design. Plus it's the best way to show the customer what they are getting.

Designers today have such awesome tools to work with compared to when I went to design school. We used ink on tracing paper drafted on a mechanical drafting table. Perspectives drawn using vanishing points lol, super time intensive.

Sketching and physical model building (by hand, not laser cut) is still a part of my process. and even more so since hanging my shingle a few years ago. Not necessarily for the pay the bills types of projects, but the opportunities to do something meaningful.

Welcome back brother RU-vid is much better platform with your videos..

Your about to hit 1mil subs yay nice!