Architecture Van Brandenburg is a firm of Architects based in Dunedin, New Zealand. And they design with physical models first, then go to CAD. The results - stunning buildings.
There are a pile more images at http://www.instagram.com/archvb/
They had an exhibition "Van Brandenburg Unfurling" in Venice, Italy, from 7 June to 23 November 2004, also in San Francisco, USA.
Good design involves drawing, sculpting, painting, and making models. CAD is really great once the initial design process is complete, for creating construction drawings.
I really like their design philosophy and creative process.
From their website:
"...Architecture Van Brandenburg place great emphasis on the ‘build-ability’ of its designs. The design process is similar to a sculptors process: beginning with rough physical model mock-ups and ending with highly detailed 3D computerised models.
This is achieved by continually building prototypes until the team is satisfied with their function, fit for their intended purpose. The advantage of this process, is that the clients and technicians know exactly what the buildings will look like, and how they can be constructed."
Great to see. They haven't been blinded by the current obsession with everything must be done digitally, rather than using digital processes where it is really useful.
