Service · Architectural scale models
Architectural scale models in Los Angeles.
Massing models, presentation boards, donor recognition pieces, and sales-gallery masterplans cut on industrial CO₂ lasers in Downtown LA. Baltic birch, basswood, chipboard, mat board, and clear acrylic for glazing. Standard turnaround 3 to 5 business days, next-business-day rush available.
Models that read at the pin-up and at the boardroom.
Architecture firms iterate. Developers pitch. Students defend. All three need the same thing — clean cuts, accurate scale, and a quick local turn. Same shop that does production work for Disney and Warner Bros also runs the model shop for DTLA architects. Pick up walk-in or ship anywhere in the US.
What we make.
Massing & concept models
Quick chipboard and foam studies during early design phases. Cut multiple iterations in one day so the team can move fast through concept reviews.
Presentation models
Final review and competition models. Baltic birch base, basswood structure, frosted acrylic glazing, etched site context. Photographed-ready.
Sales-gallery & developer marketing
Large-scale models for sales offices, marketing centers, and donor pitches. Lit at night, fully detailed. Coordinated with your renderings and material palette.
Student & thesis work
Architecture, urban planning, and design students at USC, UCLA, CalArts, FIDM, Otis, SCI-Arc. Student-friendly pricing on basic massing studies. Walk in, drop your file, pick up next-business-day.
Site context & topography
Etched landscape, layered topo, basswood texture treatments. We can scale around your subject building for context.
Illuminated models
Clear or frosted acrylic glazing with cut-out windows for back-lighting. Coordinate with your LED supply.
Materials.
Standard arch-model stock, in DTLA, ready to cut.
Basswood & plywood
1/8″ and 1/4″ baltic birch for structural pieces. 1/16″ basswood for trim and study textures. We can cut to your stick-and-frame approach.
Chipboard & mat board
1/16″–1/8″ chipboard, gray board, museum board, and mat board in gray/white/black. The workhorse stock for massing and presentation models.
Cast acrylic & mylar
Clear cast acrylic for window glazing, frosted for landscape water bodies, mirror for reflective accents, and mylar for water/site reflections.
How to order.
Send the file with operations layered by color, plus the scale and your deadline.
Email americanlaserco@gmail.com with your file (AI, DXF, or PDF — layered by cut vs etch vs score), the scale (e.g., 1/16″ = 1′), the materials and thicknesses you want, and your review deadline. Site context drawing? Send it too. Or start on the quote page.
Common questions.
What scales do you work at?
Common architectural scales — 1/32″, 1/16″, 1/8″, and 1/4″ to a foot — plus site-context scales like 1″ = 100′ or 1″ = 200′. Tell us the scale and we will run the math on plate sizes.
Can you do illuminated models?
Yes — clear or frosted acrylic glazing with cut-out windows so you can light from below or behind. We cut the optical pieces; you supply the LEDs and base power.
What is the turnaround?
Standard orders run 3 to 5 business days. Next-business-day rush is available — useful when a review date moves up or a developer pitch gets accelerated.
Do you supply landscape and site context?
Yes — etched topo, basswood textures, scoring for streets/sidewalks, and laser-cut tree silhouettes if you supply the file.
What file format works best?
AI, DXF, or PDF, with operations on separate layers or color-coded (black = cut, blue = engrave, red = score). PDF exports are usually safest.
Walk-in pickup?
Yes — by appointment at 1319 S. Los Angeles St., DTLA. Most arch firms in downtown pick up directly. We also mail anywhere in the US.
Start your scale-model project.
Send the file and the scale and we will quote it.