Architectural Scale Models in Lebanon: Cost and Timeline
What a printed massing or presentation model actually costs in Lebanon, which scale to choose, and why the finishing takes longer than the printing.
The short answer
A 3D printed architectural model in Lebanon typically costs $150 to $300 for a simple massing model, and $400 to $900 for a detailed presentation model at 1:100 with facade relief. These are quoted as projects rather than by weight, because the model has to be split across print beds, supported, bonded, sanded and finished by hand — work that usually takes longer than the printing itself. Expect one to three weeks depending on size.
Scale models are the one job where our instant quote deliberately refuses to give you a number. That is not a limitation; it is honesty. The per-gram engine that prices a bracket would quote a large model at a fraction of what it genuinely costs to make, and a quote no one can honour is worse than no quote.
Why a model is not priced by weight
For a small functional part, plastic is most of the cost. For a model, plastic is almost none of it. The cost is in the work around the printing:
- Preparing the file — architectural models are drawn to be viewed, not built, and almost always need repair, thickening and simplification before they can print at all.
- Splitting the model across print beds, with joins placed where they will not show.
- Printing, which for a large model runs 20 to 60 hours across several machines.
- Removing supports from delicate facades without damaging them.
- Bonding, filling and sanding the seams.
- Priming and painting, if the model is for a client presentation rather than a studio review.
Choosing a scale
Scale is the decision that drives everything else — cost, detail, and whether the model is physically possible. A single printed piece is limited to 250 mm in any direction, so anything larger is split and bonded.
| Scale | A 40 m building becomes | Detail you get | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:500 | 80 mm | Massing only, no windows | Urban context, site plans |
| 1:200 | 200 mm | Openings readable, walls at their limit | Whole-building presentation |
| 1:100 | 400 mm — split into pieces | Facade relief, balconies, mullions | Detailed presentation models |
| 1:50 | 800 mm — several pieces | Interior partitions, stairs, furniture | Sectional and interior models |
What it costs
| Model | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Simple massing model, single building, unpainted | $150 – $300 |
| Massing model with site contours and context blocks | $250 – $500 |
| Detailed 1:100 presentation model with facade relief | $400 – $900 |
| Large multi-building or sectional model, painted | $900 and up |
Every project is quoted individually against your actual file — these ranges are for planning a budget, not a price list. Verified students get 10% off, which on a $300 model is worth the two minutes it takes to verify.
Timeline, and what to plan around
One to three weeks from approved file to finished model, depending on size and finishing. The printing is the predictable part; file preparation at the start and finishing at the end are where schedules move. If you have a jury date or a client meeting, give us the date at the beginning — it changes how the job is planned, and knowing on day one is worth far more than asking on day ten.
How to send a model
- Export from Rhino, Revit, SketchUp or ArchiCAD as STL or OBJ, in millimetres, at the real-world size — we will scale it.
- Upload it on the site. You will be told it needs a project quote rather than shown an instant price; that is the expected path.
- Tell us the scale you want, the deadline, and whether it needs to be painted.
- We come back with a firm price, usually within a day, and nothing is committed until you accept it.
If your file will not export cleanly, send it anyway. Architectural models arriving as broken meshes is the norm rather than the exception, and repairing them is part of the job.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 3D printed architectural model cost in Lebanon?
Roughly $150 to $300 for a simple massing model, $250 to $500 with site contours and context, and $400 to $900 for a detailed 1:100 presentation model. Large painted multi-building models start around $900. Each is quoted against your actual file.
How long does an architectural model take?
One to three weeks from approved file to finished model. Printing is typically 20 to 60 hours; the file preparation before it and the sanding, bonding and painting after it are what set the schedule.
What scale should I print at?
1:500 for urban context, 1:200 for a whole building, 1:100 for a detailed presentation model, 1:50 for sections and interiors. Remember that walls need to be at least 1 mm thick at the printed size, which rules out hollow buildings below about 1:200.
Can you print a model bigger than the print bed?
Yes — it is split into pieces, printed separately, then bonded and finished so the joins do not show. Anything above 250 mm in any direction is made this way, which is most presentation models.
Do you paint models?
Yes, as part of a project quote. Unpainted models in a single colour are cheaper and read perfectly well for studio reviews; painting is worth it for client presentations.
Is there a student rate for architecture projects?
Yes — verified students get 10% off, and 15% on a first order placed with a friend's referral code. Verification takes a couple of minutes on the students page.
Got a file to print?
Instant price, delivered anywhere in Lebanon for a flat $5.
