Virtual Philadelphia by GeoSim

Source: GeoSimPHILLY.com

Virtual Philadelphia by GeoSim Systems based in Israel

Virtual Philadelphia is a leading 3D online virtual city mirrored off the Center City of Philadelphia, PA, full of historical landscapes and buildings, hundreds of years of culture and one of the most beloved US cities.

Today, Philadelphia is a vibrant city cultivated with restaurants, boutiques, museums, nightlife, modern residences and developed commerce – definitely a premier place to live in or to visit.

GeoSim compiles gigabytes of aerial photos, street images, laser scans and geodetic measurements of Philadelphia to build an accurate 3D city model, capable of providing a genuine life simulation of the physical streets, buildings and urban landscape with the "look and feel" of a real city. -- official web site

UpNext: Enhanced 3D Maps

UpNext: Found in 2007, UpNext was started by four high school friends who wanted to make better maps.

Maps redefined. Fully searchable tappable, beautiful maps for the entire United States. Over 50 cities rendered in 3D with 23 enhanced 3D cities with full textures and roadways. Interactive 3D maps for exploring and discovering cities. Our maps are fast, seamless and smooth. UpNext HD Mpas takes mapping to the next level with rich visual detail and personalized options. -- official web site

Amazon buys 3D mapping startup UpNext -- gigaom

Video: I. M. Pei's Hyperboloid

The 2010 Royal Gold Medallist, Chinese American I. M. Pei is 92....the 13 minute film shown at the Royal Gold Medal Dinner, when Pei was presented with the Medal. It features an interview and examples of his work over five decades. -- RIBA

City Model: Edushi based in China

Edushi (or rather, E-City)

Established on March 2004, Hangzhou Aladdin Information & Technology Company has been engaged in the emulation technique development.  -- Hangzhou Aladdin Inormation & Technology Co. Ltd

Architectural 3D type

Design heroes : Zaha Hadid, Source: behance.net

Design heroes : Tadao Ando, Source: behance.net

Design heroes : Toyo Ito, Source: behance.net

Design heroes :  Oscar Niemeyer, Source: behance.net

Architectural 3D type by Chris LaBrooy, UK Via behance.net

Other Things about Model

source: urbantick.com

Werner, M., 2011. Model Making, New York, N.Y: Princeton Architectural Press.

Megan Weber. She is the founder of zDp Models, a San Francisco -based model making firm working for a range of clients in the bay area and beyond. This includes Apple, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, SOM, Gensler and EDAW.

The book is designed as a basic reader guide to model making and model material introduction. -- UrbanTick

Source: vam.ac.uk

Architects' models at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK

The collections hold around  300 architects' models, including some additional material relating to the V&A's ongoing FuturePlan  development of the museum buildings by a wide range of architects. These are the most recently acquired architects' models - the oldest is a design model belonging to RIBA, for Nicholas Hawksmoor's grand house, Easton Neston, Northamptonshire, made in the 1690s. -- official web site

Source: cca.qc.ca

Modernism in Miniature:Points of View Exhibition At the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) 22 September 2011 to 8 January 2012, Octagonal Gallery

Modernism in Miniature: Points of View explores the encounter between photography and model-making between 1920-1960. It focuses on model photography as a distinctive genre and suggests that the so-called ‘model boom’ was inextricably bound up with the explosion of modern mass media. -- CCA

Source: cca.qc.ca

Naoya Hatakeyama: Scales Exhibition At the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) 27 September 2007 to 3 February 2008, Octagonal Gallery

The work of Japanese artist Naoya Hatakeyama is concerned largely with the relationship between nature and cities. Comissioned by the CCA, the three series of photographs comprising Scales capture existing architectural models of New York City and Tokyo in a way that challenges notions of scale and the perception of reality.  -- CCA

Source: archdaily.com

Richard Meier’s Model Museum in Long Island City Reopens

The space occupies 3600-square feet and features works from the 1960’s to the present.

Visitors were first invited into the space informally in May 2007.  

Tours of the gallery are by appointment only and last approximately 45 minutes. Appointments can be made through Richard Meier & Partners Architects: modelmuseum@richardmeier.com. The model museum is closed to the public during the winter months due to the climate’s impact on the models. -- ArchDaily

Read more from architect's web site
Richard Meier Model Museum Opens at Mana Contemporary -- ArchDaily
VIDEO: The Models of Richard Meier -- ArchDaily 

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laserbread/5868078138/in/photostream

Broccoli House by Brock Davis

I couldn't build a tree house for my son so I built him a broccoli house instead. -- Brock Davis

Source: likep.com

Chinese Artist Creates Edible Model of Shanghai

Song Dong, one of China’s leading contemporary artist has almost completed a miniature replica of Shanghai City, made out of various sweets. Song apparently has a thing for recreating major cities out of food, as this is the seventh project in his “Eating the City” series, which includes sweet replicas of Barcelona or London. -- LikePage

Iconic Museums, Rendered In Gingerbread

Levin and Hargreaves conceived of the gingerbread creations for this year’s Art Basel. With the help of Dylan’s Candy Bar, the pair fashioned a line of not-so-cookie-cutter facsimiles of iconic museums. -- Metropolis

Source: Kritische Analysen

Toothpick City by Stan Munro

Source: jeanniejeannie.com

A Castle On the Ocean-Glowing Paper Castle by Wataru Itou

Wataru Itou (伊藤航) is a Japanese student in a Tokyo art university with an amazing piece of work: this paper castle, titled “Umi no Ue no Oshiro” (A Castle On the Ocean) took four years to complete, and the level of intricacy in the structure makes it a true masterpiece. There are so many layers and structures in the piece that when it is lit up from below, different shades of color glow through the paper in a beautiful display of architecture and craftsmanship. -- JeannieJeannie

Source: Fantastic Norway

Slide City Exhibition

In the 70′s Oslo’s own “Man in Black”, Professor of Architecture Per Kartvedt , started his long lasting lecture series on cities, communities, myths and dreams.

Slide City is an installation consisting of small high-rises, lit from the inside, with 2000 of Per’s legendary slides as windows.  -- ArchDaily

The very model of a (LEGO) architect; Using a childhood toy, Adam Reed Tucker has built a career as the creative force behind Lego's Architecture Series -- Cityscape

Source: Architects Teehouse + Tsukihashi Laboratory at Kobe University archdaily.com

‘Lost Homes Project – Restoring by Models’ by Architects Teehouse + Tsukihashi Laboratory at Kobe University

A collaborative effort by Architects Teehouse and the Tsukihashi Laboratory at Kobe University, ‘Lost Homes Project – Restoring by Models’ aims at lamenting lost towns and considering the disaster and the damaged areas brought about by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Damaged areas were looked at dreadful circumstances, and the original sites were flowed away by Tsunamis, especially lots of areas on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Tohoku. Since 2011, their project has consisted of restoring damaged towns and villages, especially the coastal areas devastated by the following terrible tsunamis, by 1:500 scale models. -- ArchDaily

Source: WTSP ckickorlando.com

LEGO project depicts downtown Tampa's buildings

The Greater Florida Lego Users Group project features City Hall and many other buildings. The LEGOs also depict the boats moored behind the Tampa Convention Center, buildings with rooftop gardens, satellite dishes, helipads and wind socks. -- clickorlando

Physical Models of Cities: Global

These are some of the physical models of the cities around the world:

(For more images check out SkyscraperPage Forum.)

Read a post Itty Bitty Cities: 22 Models That Miniaturize the World -- Web Urbanist

Read a post City Models and Miniatures -- Andy Nash Network

Source: Ji Hyun Park

The Pipers Central London Model, New London Architecture, Building Centre, London, UK

NLA's 1:1500 scale model of central London reveals the future of the city. Measuring some 12 metres, the model covers an area from Paddington in the west to The Royal Docks in the East and from Battersea in the south to King's Cross in the north. Major new and proposed buildings with planning permission are highlighted in white. -- NLA

Source: geocities.com

A scale model of central area of Toronto, Toronto City Hall, Toronto, Canada

A scale model of the area of Toronto bordered by Dufferin Street to the west, Bloor to the north, the Don River valley and west edge of Riverdale to the east, and Lake Ontario to the south is on view on the west side of rotunda near the front door.
The scale model has been designed in such a way that visitors can readily pick out historical buildings and key landmarks. They can also see where future development is planned. -- official web site

Source: townofyork.com

The scale model of Toronto as it was in 1837, Town of York Historical Society's museum Toronto, Canada

The scale model of Toronto as it was in 1837, located in the Town of York Historical Society's museum at Toronto's First Post Office, has been a major point of interest for the many thousands of museum visitors since it was first unveiled on October 28, 1992. -- official web site

Source; waymaking.com

City model at Ottawa Capital Infocenter, Ottawa, Canada

Source: chrison_line

Scale model of Sydney’s CBD at the Customs House, Sydney, Australia

One of the most spectacular features of Customs House is the 1:500 scale model of the Sydney’s CBD embedded under the glass of the ground floor. The model was originally built for Customs House in 1998 and was housed in the former City Exhibition Space. With the latest refurbishments to Customs House, the model has been retained and updated and to give audiences a bird’s eye view of the city of Sydney. -- official web site

Source: MKC Partners

Scale model of Minato-ku, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, Tokyo, Japan

Located in the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, a 1:1000 scale model of Minato-ku in exquisite detail is on display.

The scale model was recently used to show potential sites for Tokyo's bid for the 2012 Olympics.
Each building was photographed by helicopter and by car with the composite image used for the model. The entire process took over 14 months. -- MKC Partners

Source: boldyrevsundials.com

City Model of Moscow, Moscow, Russia

An old building located practically in the center of Moscow is known for its large wooden model of the city created in the precomputer epoch. The building is a place where annual exhibition of achievements of Moscow landscape architects is organized every autumn under the aegis of Moscow committee on architecture and town-planning.  -- boldyrevsundials.com

Source: Calvin Teo wikimedia.org

Central Area Model, Singapore City Gallery, Singapore

One of the largest architectural models in the world, these intricately designed miniatures show the careful planning that went into balancing old world charms with an ultra-modern cityscape.  -- Urban Redevelopment Authority

Source: cnngo.com

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Shanghai, China

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center is a must-see for all true Shanghainophiles -- the magnificent building in People’s Square houses equally magnificent displays on the city’s astounding development.

Exhibitions on Old Shanghai and projections of how the city will look in the future are interesting, but by far the best bit is the third floor’s scale model of Shanghai. -- CNNgo.com

Source: emathias @ Flickr

Hefei model at the Anhui Culture Park, Hefei, China

Hefei is the capital of Anhui Province and this is a park/tourist area that shows some of the cultural contributions from Anhui

This was in a section showing Hefei development planning. Most mid-to-large Chinese cities have something similar. -- emathias @ Flickr

Source: abmp skyscapercity.com

Salvador da Bahia, Brazil

Source: skyscapercity.com

Lisbon(before the 1755 earthquake), Portugal

Source: wwwfs.org

Iceland topo map, Reykjavik City Hall, Iceland

Physical Models of Cities: USA

These are some of the physical models of the cities in USA:

Source: Bill Warner

Boston Redevelopment Authority, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

For decades, Boston has maintained a wood model of the city.

When new developments are proposed, the new buildings must be submitted in wood models that can be placed in the model room.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority also maintains an extensive electronic 3D model of the city, and performs many of its city planning tasks using 3D Studio Max. -- Bill Warner

Source: queensmuseum.org

The Panorama of the City of New York, Queens Museum of Art, New York City, New York, USA

The Panorama is the jewel in the crown of the collection of the Queens Museum of Art. Built by Robert Moses for the 1964 World’s Fair, in part as a celebration of the City’s municipal infrastructure, this 9,335 square foot architectural model includes every single building constructed before 1992 in all five boroughs; that is a total of 895,000 individual structures.  -- official web site

Source: wired.com

Midtown Manhattan, New York Skyscraper Museum, New York City, New York, USA

Michael Chesko is no architect. He's not a structural engineer or an urban planner either. But he just spent more than 2,000 hours constructing this highly detailed, nearly perfect scale model of midtown Manhattan. Chesko cut, sanded, and glued the mini metropolis—now on exhibit at the New York Skyscraper Museum—using only an X-Acto knife, a nail file, and a Dremel (and lots of balsa wood). But the 50-year-old software engineer was having fun; he's been building little cities since he was a kid. -- Wired

Source: timothycgoodwin @ Flickr

Downtown Albany, New York State Museum, Albany, New York, USA

Source: caf.architecture.org

Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago, Illinois, USA

The Chicago model is the only accurate and up-to-date three-dimensional portrait of Chicago's downtown. This 320-square-foot work in progress enables you to see Chicago as you've never seen it before.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation decided to create a three-dimensional digital model of Chicago, from which rapid prototyping machines fabricate a physical model.

The model lighting simulates the path of the sun on June 21th, the longest day of the year. It changes from sunrise to sunset every fifteen minutes.-- Chicago Model City

Read about Hypercrafting And The Future Of Printing Building via The Pop-Up City

Read about The City of Chicago Gets 3D Printed via ArchDaily

Source: Te-Ming Chang

Center City Develipment Corporation, San Diego, California, USA

CCDC is the public, non-profit corporation created by the City of San Diego to staff and implement Downtown redevelopment projects and programs. Formed in 1975, the corporation serves on behalf of the San Diego Redevelopment Agency as the catalyst for public-private partnerships to facilitate redevelopment projects adopted pursuant to redevelopment law.

The Downtown Information Center features a 200-square-foot model, giving visitors a “birds-eye” view of CCDC’s 1,450 acre redevelopment area. -- CCDC

Source: mikerussell wikimedia.org

The downtown Detroit model in the RenCen lobby, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Source: wired.com

The Bay Model, Sausalito, California, USA 

In 1957 the US Army Corps of Engineers created the Bay Model, a replica of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta meant to simulate the impact of public works projects and disasters—natural and man-made—on currents and tides. Considered one of the most practical applications of the craft, it's made of 286 one-ton slabs of concrete, representations of all six bridges, and a computer-controlled hydraulic system to manipulate the waterworks. Though retired from active duty in 2000, the model is still on display in Sausalito.  -- Wired

City Model: Zmapping based in London, UK

Zmapping is a company base in London, UK. They create accurate 3D city models including London.

City Model: GMJ based in London, UK

GMJ was founded in 1990 with a vision to reinvent the grand tradition of architectural illustration and model-making for the 21st century by pushing the boundaries of digital technology. -- GMJ web site.

Look at a video of 3D model of London .

City Model: 3D Model of Boston from BRA

Source: Boston Redevelopment Authority

Recently, the 3D model pages on Boston Redevelopment Authority(BRA) web site was updated. Here is the Link:http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/document-center?searchtext=&doctype=22