The Powerhouse acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our museums are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.

Architectural Models

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The Powerhouse collection surveys the history of architecture in Australia and internationally. The collection includes handmade built-to-scale models, archives, drawings and photographs ranging from iconic buildings to domestic and social housing projects.

Model making is used to accurately prototype, develop and refine an architectural design at a small scale. The Powerhouse has many fine examples in the collection that illustrate this craft, including internationally significant models of …

99/34/1 Architectural model, Daphne Murcutt House, cork / plastic / metal, designed by Glenn Murcutt, made by Hugh Williams, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1969-1972
Architectural model of Daphne Murcutt House by Glenn Murcutt
1969-1972
2015/30/1 Architectural model, Macquarie Lighthouse, wood / plastic, made by the Department of Navigation, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, c.1880
Architectural model, Macquarie Lighthouse, c.1880
c 1880
92/1994 Architectural model and cover, 'The House of the Future', acrylic, designed by architect Harry Seidler in 1954, made by R & F Porter Modelmakers Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia, 1992
'House of the Future' by Harry Seidler
1954
99/92/1 Model, hydraulic powered passenger lift, mixed media, designed by Norman Selfe, New South Wales, Australia, similar to Sydney's first passenger lift installed in Anthony Hordern's Palace Emporium, George Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1889
Model of a hydraulic powered passenger lift
1894
A2991 Model, with components (376), Yomeimon Gate at Toshougu Shrine, Nikko, Japan, wood / metal / paper / mother of pearl / paint / possibly plaster, Japan, before 1936
Architectural model of Yomeimon Gate at Toshogu Shrine, Nikko
before 1936
On display
D6632 Model of self-supporting spiral staircase, timber, made by A Meiklejohn, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia, 1903
Architectural model of a self supporting spiral staircase made by A. Meiklejohn
1903
H7 Model, Indian temple, made from the pith of an Indian plant (Aeschynomene sesban - former name for Sesbania sesban), Madras (Chennai), India, mid to late 1880s
Model of Indian temple made from the pith of an Indian plant
1880s
97/123/3 Model, architectural, Velodrome, Paul Ryder and Paula Valsamis (Ryder & Associates), for the Sydney Olympics 2000 Bid Ltd, Sydney, 1992.
Velodrome model by Paul Ryder and Paula Valsamis
1992
2014/3/1 Architectural model, Blues Point Tower, 1:200 scale, Blues Point Tower was designed by Harry Seidler and completed in 1962, model made by Angela Rowson / Kegan Tom, Australia, 2006
Architectural model, Blues Point Tower designed by Harry Seidler, 1962
H3202 Model of Japanese Buddhist temple bell tower [Tentoku-in], lacquered wood / brass / paint, Japan, 1880s
Architectural model, Japanese Buddhist temple bell tower [Tentoku-in], 1880s
99/36/4 Architectural model, Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, plastic / wood / card, Philip Cox / Cox Architects, New South Wales, Australia, [1985-1990]
Architectural model of the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney
[1985-1990]
D10182 Model, Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board building, plywood / metal, possibly made by Budden and Mackey, Australia, 1937
Model of the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board Building
1937
2014/70/1 Collection of design and presentation models (20), Prince Alfred Park Pool, designed and made by Neeson Murcutt Architects, Australia, 2006-2011
Architectural models, Prince Alfred Park Pool designed by Neeson Murcutt, 2013
2006-2011
A4256 Model, Indian temple, opal / glass / wood, made by George Cormack, New South Wales, Australia, 1945-1950
Model of an Indian temple made of opals, created by George Cormack
1945-1950
99/34/5 Architectural model, Ockens House, balsa wood / metal / plastic / paper, designed by Glenn Murcutt, Australia, 1977-78
Architectural model of Ockens House designed by Glenn Murcutt
92/1741 Models (3), architectural, 'Metroplaza/Greenwood Plaza/Optus Tower', mixed media, DHG International/ AIM Models, Australia, 1988-1989
Architectural models by John Davis, DHG International, and AIM Models
1988-1989
92/1993 House model, 'The House of Tomorrow', acrylic, house designed by architect Robin Boyd in 1949, model made by R&F Porter Modelmakers Pty Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1992
Architectural model, House of Tomorrow designed by Robin Boyd, 1949
99/81/1 Architectural model, Pyrmont incinerator, perspex/ polystyrene/ medium density fibreboard, based on design by Marion Mahony / Walter Burley Griffin, made by Iain Scott-Stevenson, Powerhouse Museum workshop, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia, 1935/ 1998
Architectural model, Pyrmont Incinerator designed by Marion Mahony and Walter Burley Griffin, 1935
99/36/3 Architectural model, Gloucester Street Offices, Sydney, Philip Cox / Cox Architects, New South Wales, Australia, [1989]
Architectural model of the Gloucester Street Offices in Sydney
[1989]
97/190/8-1 Architectural model, 'Meares Residence', cardboard / paper, designed and made by Harry Seidler and Associates, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1995
Architectural model 'Meares Residence'
1995
2003/34/1-1 Model, 'Model Illustrating the Origin of the Roof Geometry of the Sydney Opera House', wood / cardboard / metal, Ove Arup and Partners / Jorn Utzon, England / Australia, 1961 - 1965.
Architectural model illustrating roof geometry of the Sydney Opera House, designed by Jorn Utzon
1961-1965
2010/35/1 Sectioned construction model, Beijing National Aquatics Centre or 'Water Cube' with cover, plastic / electrical wiring / internal lighting / wood, made by Micro Model, Beijing, China, 2007
Beijing National Aquatics Centre 'Water Cube' construction model
2007
97/123/4 Model, architectural, Gymnastics Coliseum, Lawrence Nield and Taylor Thompson Whitting, for the Sydney Olympics 2000 Bid Ltd, Sydney, 1992.
Architectural model of Gymnastics Coliseum by Lawrence Nield and Taylor Thompson Whitting
1992