{"id":1529,"date":"2025-05-06T19:02:23","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T19:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/?page_id=1529"},"modified":"2025-06-18T15:26:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T15:26:58","slug":"model-matters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"Model Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"parallax mobile-contain\" style=\"background-attachment: fixed;\n    background-position: 50% -22vw;\n    background-repeat: no-repeat;\n    background-size: cover;\nmin-height:34vw;background-image: url('https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-3.jpg')\"><\/div>\n\n<style>\n.depth {\n          text-shadow: -1px 1px 4px #475f33, 0px 0px 0px #00000090;\ncolor: transparent;\n}\n\n @media only screen and (max-width: 748px) {\n.model-matters {\nfont-size:12vw !important;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 748px) {\n    .parallax {\n        background-position: 50% 80px !important;\n        min-height: 78vw !important;\n        background-size: contain !important;\n    }\n}\n\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group hero bfj-hero has-background is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-48c2c4f0 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#83a460\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-spacer qodef-block-container qodef-block-28710817\"><div class=\"qi-block-spacer qodef-block qodef-m\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center franklin lh-1 depth model-matters\" style=\"font-size:82px\"><strong>MODEL MATTERS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-spacer qodef-block-container qodef-block-bdf2734c\"><div class=\"qi-block-spacer qodef-block qodef-m\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cab0cdae2aceed232dc77808351830aa\" style=\"font-size:24px\">Paper and cardboard remain agile tools for urban design projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-spacer qodef-block-container qodef-block-ea56e46a\"><div class=\"qi-block-spacer qodef-block qodef-m\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center by-line has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24414b88829dbb80b845f54898fbb747\" style=\"font-size:16px\">BY <strong>JENNIFER SERGENT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-spacer qodef-block-container qodef-block-74b6953e\"><div class=\"qi-block-spacer qodef-block qodef-m\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:2px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The end point of State Route 710 that bisects the city of Pasadena, CA, is known locally as \u201cthe ditch,\u201d because the 50-acre strip of road lies 30 feet below the city\u2019s street grid\u2014and the life of the community. But that\u2019s soon to change. The state relinquished this never-completed highway section to Pasadena in 2022, and Perkins Eastman is guiding an ambitious <a href=\"https:\/\/www.perkinseastman.com\/projects\/reconnecting-pasadena\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vision concept plan<\/a> to reconnect a city where a large number of businesses and residents, including many living on low incomes as well as people of color, were displaced through eminent domain in the 1970s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To imagine a new future for the site, the project team has been building cardboard study models atop aerial photographs of the existing city grid. They are using a kit of interchangeable parts to experiment with different types of building structures, urban block types, and green spaces that can fill the ditch. \u201cIt\u2019s been a freeway for so long, I think it\u2019s really ingrained in people\u2019s cognitive map of the place,\u201d says Lowell Morin, a Perkins Eastman urban planner and architect. Without the use of models, he explains, \u201cThey couldn\u2019t envision something else being there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-spacer qodef-block-container qodef-block-5796e7ea\"><div class=\"qi-block-spacer qodef-block qodef-m\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"parallax\" style=\"background-attachment: fixed;\n    background-position: 50% -14vw;\n    background-repeat: no-repeat;\n    background-size: cover;\nmin-height:36vw;background-image: url('https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/IMG_57731-scaled.jpg')\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-spacer qodef-block-container qodef-block-ef8b26cc\"><div class=\"qi-block-spacer qodef-block qodef-m\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-d1257959 qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-22212b80\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-81e731c0 qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-9ffa77a2\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-single-image qodef-block-container qodef-block-8fc0a8a3 qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--normal\" data-animation=\"fadeInUp\"><div class=\"qi-block-single-image qodef-block qodef-m qi-block-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery\"><div class=\"qodef-m-image\"><a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-scaled.jpg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-149\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2432\" height=\"2560\" class=\"wp-image-2051\"  src=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Man looking over model table\" srcset=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-scaled.jpg 2432w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-285x300.jpg 285w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-973x1024.jpg 973w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-768x808.jpg 768w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-1459x1536.jpg 1459w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-1945x2048.jpg 1945w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2432px) 100vw, 2432px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figcaption style=\"margin:auto;margin-bottom: 2rem;\">Perkins Eastman is developing models to help Pasadena residents contemplate how to fill \u201cthe ditch\u201d that currently divides their city (top). The first community open house was held last summer (above). \u00a9 PERKINS EASTMAN<\/figcaption>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-3bbe332c qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-content--boxed qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--slower\" data-animation=\"fadeIn\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-561ed02a\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<p class=\"baskerville lh-115 mb-0 pb-0 has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ce589d1187475eae9a6694efde0fbf7f\" style=\"color:#83a460;font-size:32px\">\u201cWe\u2019re co-creating solutions with citizens to shift decision-making from the top down to having more grassroots involvement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right baskerville lh-1 mb-0 pb-0 has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-36118996c944b7b23b7e1b1d8f5ad7fa\" style=\"color:#83a460\">\u2014KATE HOWE<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right baskerville lh-1 mb-0 pb-0 has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4d7703886d90617cf253223a6209c5c4\" style=\"color:#83a460;font-size:16px\"><em>Project Manager, Reconnecting Pasadena<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>In an era of increasingly slick digital visualizations and simulations, physical models continue to be exceptionally effective for large-scale urban design projects involving vast swaths of a city. \u201cThe study models help decision-makers and the public understand the scale of the site, and it brings them into the design process,\u201d says Kate Howe, project manager of the Reconnecting Pasadena consultant team. Howe, alongside the Perkins Eastman design team, has led many presentations to Pasadena city officials, staff, and the public over the past year. \u201cThe tactility of the models attracts people,\u201d Howe says. \u201cWe\u2019re co-creating solutions with citizens to shift decision-making from the top down to having more grassroots involvement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nashville East Bank Redevelopment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Perkins Eastman\u2019s planning and urban design practice has also guided the city of Nashville as it redevelops a 308-acre industrial area along the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.perkinseastman.com\/insights\/nashville-moves-apace-to-remake-its-east-bank\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">East Bank<\/a> of the Cumberland River. The project aims to convert the desolate area around the Tennessee Titans\u2019 football stadium into a thriving, mixed-use<br>community that will connect with existing residential neighborhoods and extend the downtown, which sits across the river. Practice leaders Vaughan Davies and Eric Fang created a model to help then Mayor John Cooper and his staff visualize the new landscape where the existing stadium will be taken down and a new one built further back from the river. Amid a stadium and other buildings made of cardboard, colored pieces of construction paper represented green space flowing toward the waterfront and a new boulevard that traverses the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During one review session, Cooper had an idea for repositioning the open space, so Davies cut the paper with scissors and reassembled it on the spot. \u201cWe won his approval right away. The meeting was a success because the mayor was able to see the change implemented immediately,\u201d he says. Even in their rough state, models have the power to grab the attention of business and political leaders who\u2019ve seen it all, Fang notes. \u201cThese days, everyone is so inundated with digital media, it\u2019s all the more important to have something that is tangible and that you can interact with directly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-spacer qodef-block-container qodef-block-7d891646\"><div class=\"qi-block-spacer qodef-block qodef-m\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-32e8a05d qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-50b0dff6\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-single-image qodef-block-container qodef-block-ec0fd1b3 qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--normal\" data-animation=\"fadeInUp\"><div class=\"qi-block-single-image qodef-block qodef-m qi-block-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery\"><div class=\"qodef-m-image\"><a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-1.jpg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-531\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1512\" height=\"1512\" class=\"wp-image-2083\"  src=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-1.jpg 1512w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-1-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-1-1300x1300.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1512px) 100vw, 1512px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figcaption style=\"margin:auto;margin-bottom: 2rem;\">Colored construction paper defines the public realm surrounding a mixed-use development planned for the East Bank of Nashville\u2019s Cumberland River, transforming the area into an extension of the city\u2019s downtown. \u00a9 PERKINS EASTMAN<\/figcaption>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-86b89dc6 qodef-col-num--2 qodef-col-layout--50 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-71d80946\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-single-image qodef-block-container qodef-block-89509851 qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--normal\" data-animation=\"fadeInLeft\"><div class=\"qi-block-single-image qodef-block qodef-m qi-block-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery\"><div class=\"qodef-m-image\"><a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-9.jpg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-68\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1266\" height=\"1266\" class=\"wp-image-2084\"  src=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-9.jpg 1266w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-9-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-9-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-9-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-9-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-9-650x650.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1266px) 100vw, 1266px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figcaption style=\"margin:auto;margin-bottom: 2rem;\">When the new stadium is completed in 2027, the existing facility will be removed, making way for new developments, open space, and a central boulevard. \u00a9 PERKINS EASTMAN<\/figcaption>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-013b38a0\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-single-image qodef-block-container qodef-block-ca002849 qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--normal\" data-animation=\"fadeInRight\"><div class=\"qi-block-single-image qodef-block qodef-m qi-block-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery\"><div class=\"qodef-m-image\"><a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-8.jpg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-994\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1343\" height=\"1343\" class=\"wp-image-2085\"  src=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-8.jpg 1343w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-8-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-8-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-8-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-8-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-8-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/EBN-1.200-Model-Photo-8-1300x1300.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1343px) 100vw, 1343px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figcaption style=\"margin:auto;margin-bottom: 2rem;\">The new, pedestrian-focused neighborhood will lead to a waterfront promenade and piers. \u00a9 PERKINS EASTMAN<\/figcaption>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-96fc8473 qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-content--boxed qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--slower\" data-animation=\"fadeIn\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-50830b8d\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<p class=\"baskerville lh-115 mb-0 pb-0 has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-17c2aaa43ffd8cab43a24f83433b373d\" style=\"color:#83a460;font-size:32px\">\u201cWe won his approval right away. The meeting was a success because the mayor was able to see the change implemented immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right baskerville lh-1 mb-0 pb-0 has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-647a4476c7b99d49fb4c08cbf66e2c04\" style=\"color:#83a460\">\u2014VAUGHAN DAVIES<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right baskerville lh-1 mb-0 pb-0 has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-104793c05c311afdbf414a8901bd4a15\" style=\"color:#83a460;font-size:16px\"><em>Co-Principal in Charge, East Bank, Nashville<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fordham Landing North<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Planners and developers are also using models to figure out how a new development can nestle into a thicket of urban infrastructure in New York City. Perkins Eastman is in the early design stages for <a href=\"https:\/\/onefordhamlanding.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fordham Landing North<\/a>, a 1.5-mile strip of Harlem River waterfront in the Bronx that will become home to a mixed-use neighborhood of office, residential, and retail\u2014a project similar in size to Perkins Eastman\u2019s marquee project, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.perkinseastman.com\/projects\/district-wharf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Wharf<\/a> in Washington, DC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The development of the northern end of the Bronx site needs to contend with a 40-foot change in grade between existing highways and a new waterfront boulevard, which will have to rise up and over railroad tracks to meet those arteries. \u201cIt was an eye-opener for the client and the consultant team to see the actual conditions. Nobody understood the scale of the elevation change without the model,\u201d says Vijo Cherian, the project\u2019s urban designer and architect. The model will help inform the development as it goes through multiple levels of city, state, and federal review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While renderings can be used to illustrate certain angles or portions of large-scale, mixed-use developments, models can provide critically important site context. Davies says, \u201cThere\u2019s a sense of immediacy and accessibility from the observer point of view\u2014to really get to know the model and understand it and see [the whole project] the way they want to see it, from multiple angles\u2014rather than an audited single view from a rendering.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-5de0bfa7 qodef-col-num--2 qodef-col-layout--50 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-1f33f847\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-single-image qodef-block-container qodef-block-c9f2ceb0 qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--normal\" data-animation=\"fadeInLeft\"><div class=\"qi-block-single-image qodef-block qodef-m qi-block-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery\"><div class=\"qodef-m-image\"><a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_01-scaled.jpg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-514\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2560\" class=\"wp-image-2080\"  src=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_01-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_01-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_01-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_01-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_01-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_01-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_01-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_01-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_01-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_01-1300x1300.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-c1031556\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-single-image qodef-block-container qodef-block-806dc206 qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--normal\" data-animation=\"fadeInRight\"><div class=\"qi-block-single-image qodef-block qodef-m qi-block-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery\"><div class=\"qodef-m-image\"><a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_02-scaled.jpg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-802\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2560\" class=\"wp-image-2082\"  src=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_02-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_02-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_02-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_02-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_02-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_02-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_02-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_02-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_02-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Fordham-Landing-North_02-1300x1300.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-00202fe8 qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-c38ade35\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<figcaption style=\"margin:auto;margin-bottom: 2rem;\">A model shows two options for pedestrians to navigate a 40-foot grade difference between the street level and the Harlem River promenade of Fordham Landing North in the Bronx. PHOTOGRAPGHS BY ANDREW RUGGE \u00a9 PERKINS EASTMAN<\/figcaption>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-62cba2f4 qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-content--boxed qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--slower\" data-animation=\"fadeIn\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-f8893b03\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<p class=\"baskerville lh-115 mb-0 pb-0 has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36fc42be404f7ac5f695b8c560030ddd\" style=\"color:#83a460;font-size:32px\">\u201cIt was an eye-opener for the client and the consultant team to see the actual conditions. Nobody understood the scale of the elevation change without the model.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right baskerville lh-1 mb-0 pb-0 has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-ad4daca5070ab3edf486479ed8e0fb7d\" style=\"color:#83a460\">\u2014VIJO CHERIAN<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right baskerville lh-1 has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d6db8bf0bd9fb33bb93d9876ee234510\" style=\"color:#83a460;font-size:16px\"><em>Urban Designer, Fordham Landing North<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-88e5e241 qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-vertical-align--middle qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-5bb1d8de\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" style=\"line-height:.85;font-family: franklin-gothic-urw, sans-serif;font-weight:200;width:100%;font-size:3rem;\">Making<br><span style=\"font-weight: 900;margin-left:4rem;color:#83a460;margin-top:-1rem;\">   Models<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-spacer qodef-block-container qodef-block-c0bf2b14\"><div class=\"qi-block-spacer qodef-block qodef-m\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Walking into the model shop at Perkins Eastman\u2019s New York headquarters is like entering a miniature construction site. A large central table fills much of the space where model builder Kazimierz Rzezniak assembles everything from riverfront developments such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.perkinseastman.com\/2025\/03\/27\/berkley-riverfront-breaks-ground-in-kansas-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Berkley Riverfront<\/a> district in Kansas City, MO, to the smallest details such as a bookcase design for a university library. On this day, the main level of a museum was taking shape on Rzezniak\u2019s table. Multiple versions of a central stair were lying about, and the design team for the new Manhattan location of the <a href=\"https:\/\/momath.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Museum of Mathematics<\/a> (known as MoMath) was pondering which version would successfully twist up and around a ceiling-mounted sculpture planned for the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-ee7b25aa qodef-col-num--2 qodef-col-layout--50 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-8eba051e\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-single-image qodef-block-container qodef-block-216f86f8 qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--normal\" data-animation=\"fadeInLeft\"><div class=\"qi-block-single-image qodef-block qodef-m qi-block-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery\"><div class=\"qodef-m-image\"><a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_01-scaled.jpg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-731\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" class=\"wp-image-2057\"  src=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_01-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"MoMath Model\" srcset=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_01-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_01-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_01-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_01-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_01-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_01-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-5f7602fb\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-single-image qodef-block-container qodef-block-e1a9b52b qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--normal\" data-animation=\"fadeInRight\"><div class=\"qi-block-single-image qodef-block qodef-m qi-block-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery\"><div class=\"qodef-m-image\"><a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_02-scaled.jpg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-585\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" class=\"wp-image-2059\"  src=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_02-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"MoMath Model 2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_02-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_02-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_02-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_02-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<figcaption style=\"margin:auto;margin-bottom: 2rem;\">PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEAN GOLD \u00a9 PERKINS EASTMAN<\/figcaption>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a fixed dimension that we need to design around,\u201d says Pablo Cabrera Jauregui, an architect and computational designer who coded and 3D-printed the stair models\u2014each of which takes about 10 hours to complete\u2014before the team selected three options to show the client. \u201cHaving an object that you can see from everywhere\u2014contrary to having something drawn on your screen that only gives you part of the full geometry\u2014helps you comprehend the proportions,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The model shop\u2019s 3D printer, in addition to its laser cutter, can be programmed to mold and carve the intricate building components for designs that architects are creating in software programs such as Rhino, Revit, and SketchUp. And though these programs can be used to produce photorealistic renderings and create flythroughs of a virtual building, they don\u2019t replace the impact of a physical model. \u201cWe are always trying to make this dialogue between the digital world and real-world construction and manufacturing, and physical models can connect them,\u201d Cabrera Jauregui says. In this respect, even the most basic cardboard study model can more effectively help a client understand scale and context in comparison to a 2D rendering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-50ee5ed6 qodef-col-num--2 qodef-col-layout--50 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-e5482e9a\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-single-image qodef-block-container qodef-block-fb14d879 qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--normal\" data-animation=\"fadeInLeft\"><div class=\"qi-block-single-image qodef-block qodef-m\"><div class=\"qodef-m-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" class=\"wp-image-2060\"  src=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_03-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"MoMath Model 3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_03-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_03-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_03-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_03-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_03-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-614fb4e0\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-single-image qodef-block-container qodef-block-a46b25f9 qodef-entrance-animation--on qodef-animation-speed--normal\" data-animation=\"fadeInRight\"><div class=\"qi-block-single-image qodef-block qodef-m qi-block-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery\"><div class=\"qodef-m-image\"><a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_04-scaled.jpg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-970\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" class=\"wp-image-2061\"  src=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_04-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"MoMath Model 4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_04-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_04-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_04-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_04-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_04-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/MoMath_11-2024_Model_04-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<figcaption style=\"margin:auto;margin-bottom: 2rem;\">PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEAN GOLD \u00a9 PERKINS EASTMAN<\/figcaption>\n\n\n\n<p>Rzezniak has been building models for 36 years. And though he retains his reliable woodshop with traditional wood-shaping tools, saws, and drills, he says the computer-driven machines, including a CNC router, are a most welcome addition. Model making \u201cwas really hard work\u201d before the new technology, he says. Site elevations had to be carved by hand, but the laser cutter takes care of them now. Building elements had to be glued individually, where the 3D printer can mold their assembly all at once. \u201cNow it\u2019s fun to make models with these new technologies,\u201d Rzezniak says, \u201cbut you still need experience and hand skills to put the pieces together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the MoMath model, the team tried nearly two dozen iterations of a self-supporting stair to circumnavigate a conical sculpture that will hang from the museum\u2019s second-floor ceiling. Each time, new calculations adjusted the stair\u2019s contours\u2014where it would begin at the bottom and land on the top, whether there would be any landings, how wide the handrail should be, and which materials should be enlisted for each element. \u201cThese are subtle things that only physically you can perceive,\u201d Cabrera Jauregui says. The MoMath leaders were thrilled with the final model, he adds. \u201cThey totally understood what we were trying to produce.\u201d <strong>N<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-navigation-link-previous wp-block-post-navigation-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/kicking-the-habit\/\" rel=\"prev\">Previous<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-navigation-link-next wp-block-post-navigation-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/here-comes-the-sun\/\" rel=\"next\">Next<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MODEL MATTERS Paper and cardboard remain agile tools for urban design projects. BY JENNIFER SERGENT The end point of State Route 710 that bisects the city of Pasadena, CA, is known locally as \u201cthe ditch,\u201d because the 50-acre strip of road lies 30 feet below the city\u2019s street grid\u2014and the life of the community. But [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":267,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1529","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Model Matters - The Narrative Summer 2025<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"MODEL MATTERS Paper and cardboard remain agile tools for urban design projects. BY JENNIFER SERGENT The end point of State Route 710 that bisects the city\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Model Matters - The Narrative Summer 2025\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"MODEL MATTERS Paper and cardboard remain agile tools for urban design projects. BY JENNIFER SERGENT The end point of State Route 710 that bisects the city\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Narrative Summer 2025\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-18T15:26:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2432\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/design-lab\\\/model-matters\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/design-lab\\\/model-matters\\\/\",\"name\":\"Model Matters - The Narrative Summer 2025\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/design-lab\\\/model-matters\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/design-lab\\\/model-matters\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/5\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-06T19:02:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-18T15:26:58+00:00\",\"description\":\"MODEL MATTERS Paper and cardboard remain agile tools for urban design projects. BY JENNIFER SERGENT The end point of State Route 710 that bisects the city\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/design-lab\\\/model-matters\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/design-lab\\\/model-matters\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/design-lab\\\/model-matters\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/5\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/5\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2432,\"height\":2560,\"caption\":\"Man looking over model table\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/design-lab\\\/model-matters\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Design Lab\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/design-lab\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Model Matters\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Narrative Summer 2025\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"Perkins Eastman The Narrative 2025\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Perkins Eastman\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/5\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/cropped-logo-scaled-1-e1748349578985.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/5\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/cropped-logo-scaled-1-e1748349578985.png\",\"width\":2146,\"height\":350,\"caption\":\"Perkins Eastman\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\\\/summer2025\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Model Matters - The Narrative Summer 2025","description":"MODEL MATTERS Paper and cardboard remain agile tools for urban design projects. BY JENNIFER SERGENT The end point of State Route 710 that bisects the city","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Model Matters - The Narrative Summer 2025","og_description":"MODEL MATTERS Paper and cardboard remain agile tools for urban design projects. BY JENNIFER SERGENT The end point of State Route 710 that bisects the city","og_url":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/","og_site_name":"The Narrative Summer 2025","article_modified_time":"2025-06-18T15:26:58+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2432,"height":2560,"url":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/","url":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/","name":"Model Matters - The Narrative Summer 2025","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2025-05-06T19:02:23+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-18T15:26:58+00:00","description":"MODEL MATTERS Paper and cardboard remain agile tools for urban design projects. BY JENNIFER SERGENT The end point of State Route 710 that bisects the city","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/Model-Table-2-Robert-Group-scaled.jpg","width":2432,"height":2560,"caption":"Man looking over model table"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/model-matters\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Design Lab","item":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/design-lab\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Model Matters"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/#website","url":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/","name":"The Narrative Summer 2025","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/#organization"},"alternateName":"Perkins Eastman The Narrative 2025","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/#organization","name":"Perkins Eastman","url":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/cropped-logo-scaled-1-e1748349578985.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/cropped-logo-scaled-1-e1748349578985.png","width":2146,"height":350,"caption":"Perkins Eastman"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1529","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1529"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1529\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3662,"href":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1529\/revisions\/3662"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/perkinseastmanthenarrative.com\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}