Architects possess the ability to visualize clearly a concept in their mind’s eye, right down to the smallest details, before construction has even begun – indeed, while the project is still only an idea in their imagination or a drawing on paper. This is not a skill that can be taught in architecture schools, but is part of the unique combination of inborn creative talent and technical aptitude that makes a good architect.

Many people do not possess this natural talent, however, sometimes including the clients for whom the structure is being built. In these cases, it is necessary for architects to make the concept become real for them by whatever means possible.

Sketches and floor plans are a good start, but because they are two-dimensional they can only go so far in conveying depth, dimensions, and how an interior will look once fixtures and furniture have been installed. This is why three-dimensional CAD software is so useful. By projecting views of a room or structure from different angles, it allows the client to experience the same sense of depth for which an architect has a natural feel.

Many architects also build scale models of the structure in order to communicate their idea in physical, tangible form. These models can be very representational and assembled from such simple materials as cardboard, wooden blocks, or polystyrene foam, or they can be highly detailed and built by professional model-making companies.

Some clients have a hard time projecting furniture, cabinetry, fixtures, or equipment into the “negative” or empty space of an interior. Once the shell of the building has been constructed, the architect can help the client picture how the finished room will look by using spray paint or tape to outline the areas where certain items will go.