An important difference between a descriptivepresentation model and an explorative model is thatthe former seeks to provide a holistic view of thefinished project, whilst the latter may be produced toinvestigate particular components of the design. As theform of a new design emerges, a whole series of morespecialized building models may be constructed thatrespond to questions arising from the initial evolutionof the architectural form. These are specific spatial-studymodels, i.e. complete or part models specifically built toexplore certain issues. By working directly in space, albeitat a small scale, concepts are formed by a student anda design is refined as a result of its exploration in threedimensions – a process in which options remain openin design routes, which might not be as obvious to thedesigner solely using two-dimensional drawing methods.Spatial models, therefore, are characterized by the fact that they may only focus on the relevant attributes of adesign that are critical to a particular space or sequence ofspaces. In this sense, they may appear similar to interior architecture models but are typically made at an earlierstage in the design process when internal qualities areless defined. Perhaps most obviously, spatial models donot usually communicate external envelopes or façadesas their primary function is to explore the internalarrangement and composition of a building’s programme– and in this way they are more quantitative thanqualitative in their investigation. They may representspecific and subtle explorations that would be verydifficult to visualize within a holistic building model, andmay allow design ideas to be interrogated in a rigorousmanner.
