From un-real to real and return. Some example of activities of a modern model’s lab.

The Architectural Models Laboratory (LMA) has completed its first 6 years since its foundation. Perfectly integrated into the DIDALABS system of the Dipartimento di Architettura, University of Florence, Italy, it offers support for student’s exams and bachelor/master thesis graduation, PhD research as well as thematic seminars and workshops, coordinated by researchers or professors of Florentine Athenaeum. During these moments, students together with the technical and research staff of the laboratories realize physical models and study prototypes (Moon, 2005). The Architectural Models Laboratory also collaborates with other universities, departments, and external organizations such as museums or architectural firms, to offer them a specific set of competencies and digital/physical tools (Gavinelli, 1993). The Laboratory offers different technologies both traditional and modern (Mi-young, 2012). From woodworking to 3D printing, from 3D scanning to laser-cutting (Ratzlaff, 2016), with the consultancies of the laboratory team, it is possible to build and/or refine ideas (cp. Knoll, 2007; Ansgar, 2011). In this poster, a selection of experiences presents the main occasions and solutions connected to Architecture, Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, with a special focus on those planned and defined in recent years. The selected works will be presented in the will of sharing the procedures and results of each specific case study.