The project
Agora Budapest is a commercial development located on the city’s longest and busiest boulevard. It will provide office space for 12,000 professionals across seven office buildings and retail units totalling more than 100,000m² of lettable area. Public spaces are aplenty – with gardens, trees and grassy paths all centred around a beautiful ‘agora’ that provides a multifunctional focal point for the development.
The two models we’re looking at today for Agora Budapest were made at different stages of the design process, to help convey the massing (1:200) and overall masterplan (1:500).
The massing model
The first of the two, the massing model demonstrates the overall massing design and was used in a key presentation to the client early on in the design process. It was built as a standalone 1:200 scale model on its own mini-baseboard.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=b0fb03e5ca40f60fcb6ccc80460c07e2 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=f4407278fa30a8b84f70e80954c922bd 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=74ce4e5c4443617a7b029430543e25f5 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=685fe2f880293c48bcb1265639cba9f4 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=8164a2a1acae5b27000632fc49761f5f 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=7fac62e6f16f1f78fe68fb1f48a84587 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=1410df501cd889a4d02fb088ac9c2042 1920w)
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=154&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=edbac050e665dc47d9ec150e8bd9abd7 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=308&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=1d3bb3514cacd1cf2fbb71e13cb8e8be 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=563&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=22b614420d95c382e542d222e31c4803 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=750&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=a201bfd7a47cd6da992760dbc0c57a8d 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1026&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=84ad130376d0ac8b5001e0b57d9a7882 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1173&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=bf2a343a6c0ca10e90a7f0c166094fc6 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1407&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=2feb492ccbb0c54a9886dbe26fdea126 1920w)
The masterplan model
We created the 1:500 masterplan model during the later design phases of the project and used it extensively. It provides an excellent overview of massing, landscape and how the project fits into the surrounding context. We used the model to help discuss and understand changes to the finer details of each block element, the surrounding landscaping, roadways, entryways and interaction with the local subway system.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=148&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=c71a4a3d0ccf64d54ee0e9f9544c79d7 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=297&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=a559fe50959abf0e12cb72dbea99f0e6 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=543&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=c6eaff31f01059f63f60d12cc9bc2247 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=724&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=28131247bda9b2c6b512402cb581931a 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=990&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=6d08253133a44de88ae1d827c7f72eab 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1131&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=083f1fb220fff3168d67f809ad111537 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1358&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=713931529e04b9c9e95191ddd3ed797b 1920w)
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=148&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=c096738ff6950aa270eca2fad65796d0 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=297&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=98b2541fb501452efb54eb03ac5fe54e 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=543&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=484a5bb0ed4ab2b1ef5ec8ecb96bab5d 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=724&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=4100aa9e5ab59474c408527f728f3b23 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=990&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=8cb9640b27f3e3f729dd4d77dcddb069 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1131&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=d33cd8994bb1b07cef0a8a4e9f706304 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1358&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=085126dd1937f84576dee097e9e87439 1920w)
How we made them
We built both models in the same way, starting with a simple foam board carcass for the bases. The site is treated as flat at these scales, so we used a 2D CAD site plan to show only relevant details, such as building outlines and pavement edges. We laser-engraved the 2D data onto a sheet of gloss black acrylic and cut out the outline and holes for any 3D inserts.
The acrylic sheet was then glued onto the carcass, and the base sides were clad in acrylic panels. To bring out the engraved detail on the black base, we wiped some white acrylic paint across it and carefully buffed it off with a soft cloth. The paint that remained in the engraved and scored recesses provides a crisply defined, monochrome impression of the detail.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=212&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=996fce254cb62ccad1aa22f731eb0b75 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=424&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=83afd235bce32f6caa826b0ed559c9fa 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=776&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=11154188f552028519bfbf91553f0278 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1035&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=2ffc8f9316a966f0bbbd749361bf60ca 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1414&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=682ab371284e73f7d7b16b6e4e016e1a 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1616&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=f3dd4757bec5452172f5ecafdb837252 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1940&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=54f3b503b5a7ea34daf4dafdd92d65bb 1920w)
It’s important to take care with both the thickness of the paint and the buffing. If the paint is too thick or allowed to dry for too long, lots of effort is needed for the cleaning process, with a greater risk of scratching the acrylic sheet.
After painting we added other details to the acrylic sheet – a mirrored part to represent water, sunken areas around the subway station entrance, and ramps for an underground car park. The trees and cars are pretty tiny at this scale, but they’re important in bringing the model to life. Silver cars and simple white trees were used to work with the monochrome palette.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=64a29dc74ab59ddea43ff7e58a679d46 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=ca5493f42620601ad4bb6b8962a67862 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=5dc06e44067b35fb9b3199fe927376d0 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=1ab2e7b198363b166bded33ced43b361 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=90f73bf49253978a215654dcf95f7533 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=2e3a525f7987d22b6726ee4341c24296 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FAgora-Budapest-Make-Architects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=37046dffe570be516c1adf217c3c5b1d 1920w)
To 3D-print the buildings, we used the BIM models as they stood at the time. After processing them to make them printable, and chopping them into sections so each would fit on a printer, we set several of our Ultimaker 3D printers running. A couple of days later we had a full complement. After cleaning up the prints, we attached each building to the baseboard using strong double-sided tape that would hold them securely in place, but also allow removal or replacement as required in the future.
The result
Despite a fairly straightforward build process, both models are visually striking, thanks to considered material and colour choices. They’ve also proved a very useful design and presentation tool – just watch out for fingerprints on that gloss black!