The Model Shop
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersTorrance, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Model Shop does
The Model Shop is a privately held, owner-operated custom model-making firm founded in 1969 and headquartered at 2808 Oregon Court, L-12, Torrance, California, serving enterprise, government, and institutional clients in the architecture, real estate, sports, diplomatic, and infrastructure sectors. The company manufactures physical architectural scale models, master plan models, arena and venue presentation models, bridges, and topographic models, augmented by interactive multimedia systems (Crestron/AMX/BrightSign/DMX-controlled lighting, audio/video, lasers, fog, mechanized sequences) and augmented reality integrations delivered through a partnership with AfterNow AR. Its underlying technology stack combines a Coherent METAbeam 250W and KERN 400W laser cutting fleet, a Thermwood 5'x10' CNC router, a Supermax 30"x14" CNC mill, a Stratasys Objet260 Connex3 multi-material 3D printer (0.0006" layer resolution), a 40"x40"x12" vacuum former, photo-chemical etching in stainless/brass/copper, and finishing services including color matching and faux paint, plus custom crating and global freight forwarding.
The business model is custom project-based with quote-driven pricing; the firm does not publish list prices and engages clients through direct enterprise field sales, with a website portfolio of 50+ completed projects as the primary marketing channel and word-of-mouth through architects, developers, and project stakeholders as the primary demand driver. Customers include Monumental Sports & Entertainment (Capital One Arena), LA Clippers (Intuit Dome), Las Vegas Raiders (T-Mobile Arena), LAFC Stadium, Churchill Downs, the US State Department (US Consulate Rio de Janeiro), Federal National Council (Abu Dhabi), Microsoft, Griffin Capital, Gensler, Populous, Omni Hotels, HKS, ARUP, and Boldyn Networks. Revenue is one-time per project with multi-year contract cadences, and the firm operates with 1–10 employees under sole owner Scott Harrington.
The Model Shop firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Model Shop
- Legal name
- The Model Shop
- Website
- https://modshop.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where The Model Shop is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Torrance
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Model Shop business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Architectural Model Manufacturing: Bespoke model-making services for architectural firms, real estate developers, sports franchises, government entities, and other organizations requiring scale models for presentations, competitions, and visualization purposes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based custom projects |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
The Model Shop product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Model Shop designs and fabricates custom architectural scale models and prototypes for enterprise clients such as architecture firms, sports franchises, government agencies, technology companies, real estate developers, and educational institutions. Models can be enhanced with integrated lighting, audio/video, mechanized special effects (lasers, fog), and iPad-based augmented reality overlays. The shop also provides supporting fabrication services including laser cutting, CNC machining, 3D printing, vacuum forming, photo-chemical etching, color matching, finishes and painting, and custom crating and shipping.
Product overview
The Model Shop is an architectural and concept model making company offering a portfolio of manufacturing services (Laser Cutting, CNC Milling & Routing, 3D Printing, Vacuum Forming, Chemical Etching) combined with finishing services (Color Matching, Finishes & Painting) and support services (Crating & Shipping). Their core products are Architectural Scale Models across categories including Highrise, Landscape, Arenas, Institutional, Residential, Mixed Use, Retail, Bridges, and Master Plan projects. They offer advanced Multimedia Models with interactive lighting, audio/video, and show control systems using AMX and Crestron control systems, as well as Augmented Reality Models with iPad AR tracking and interactive content activation through collaboration with AfterNow AR. The company is based in Torrance, CA and serves clients including major sports teams, architecture firms, and corporations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Architectural Scale Models One-off physical scale models of buildings, arenas, bridges, urban master plans, and venues, fabricated to client specifications for enterprise architecture, sports, real estate, government, and education clients seeking high-fidelity presentation or competition models.
- Multimedia Models Scale models enhanced with integrated lighting, audio, video, mechanized special effects, and show control for cinematic stakeholder presentations.
- Augmented Reality Models Physical scale models accompanied by iPad-based augmented reality tracking that overlays digital information onto the live model for interactive stakeholder demonstrations.
- Lighting & Show Systems Integrated lighting, audio/video, mechanized special effects (lasers and fog), and show control, including Crestron-, AMX-, and BrightSign-driven systems.
- Competition Models Design competition entries produced as full-fidelity scale models for architecture competitions.
- Topo Models Topographic terrain scale models depicting landforms, site contours, and natural features for master planning and site studies.
- Laser Cutting In-house laser cutting across a fleet that includes Coherent METAbeam and KERN High Speed systems, used for precise model component fabrication.
- CNC Machining & Routing CNC milling and routing using Thermwood and Supermax machines to produce model components, base plates, and architectural details.
- 3D Printing Multi-material 3D printing on a Stratasys Objet260 Connex3 system for fabricating detailed scale-model components.
- Vacuum Forming Vacuum forming of thin-shell components for scale model surfaces such as domes, curved façades, and roof structures.
- Photo-Chemical Etching Photo-chemical etching used to produce fine-detail metal and film components for scale-model assemblies.
- Color Matching Color matching to client-specified palettes, materials, and reference imagery for scale model finishes.
- Finishes & Painting In-house painting and finishing of scale model surfaces, textures, and details to match design intent.
- Crating & Shipping Custom crating and international freight forwarding of finished scale models to clients in the U.S. and overseas.
Companies that use The Model Shop
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Model Shop technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability2 records
Feature7 records
The Model Shop partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Model Shop competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Goppion: Milan-based high-end architectural and museum model maker known for premium presentation models with multimedia and lighting integration — a direct competitor at the top of the bespoke architectural model market globally.
- RJ Models: Long-established US architectural model shop producing presentation, sales, and competition models for developers, architects, and venues — directly comparable in service mix (laser, CNC, 3D print, finishing) and target customers.
- Pro Set Models: Architectural and master-plan model maker for commercial, residential, and civic projects — comparable in customer segments (developers, architects, public agencies) and bespoke service model.
- JAX Architectural Models: Architectural scale model firm producing presentation and marketing models for real estate developers, architects, and civic clients — a directly comparable US-based competitor.
- Metivier Modelmaking: Architectural model maker producing presentation, marketing, and master-plan models for architects, developers, and institutions — overlapping target customers and service scope.
- ACME Modelworks: US architectural model maker serving developers, architects, and venue clients with presentation, sales center, and competition models — closely comparable service offering and customer base.
- Modelworks Inc. US architectural model shop serving developers, design firms, and corporate clients with presentation, sales, and competition models — a directly comparable custom fabrication peer.
Emerging players
- Shapeways: On-demand 3D printing and manufacturing platform that competes for parts of the architectural prototype and model workflow — partial overlap on 3D-printed architectural elements, though at a much lower fidelity/finish than The Model Shop's bespoke work.
- Polychrome Studios: US design and fabrication studio producing high-end architectural models with multimedia and lighting integration for premium real estate and venue clients — narrower scope but overlapping high-end presentation model niche.
Broad incumbents
- Foster + Partners Model Shop: In-house model shop of a global architecture firm; while not external-facing, it represents the kind of large, established design organization that competes for high-profile model commissions and is also a customer of independent shops.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Model Shop financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Model Shop leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Model Shop funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Model Shop M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Model Shop
What does The Model Shop do?
The Model Shop designs and fabricates custom architectural scale models and prototypes for enterprise clients such as architecture firms, sports franchises, government agencies, technology companies, real estate developers, and educational institutions. Models can be enhanced with integrated lighting, audio/video, mechanized special effects (lasers, fog), and iPad-based augmented reality overlays. The shop also provides supporting fabrication services including laser cutting, CNC machining, 3D printing, vacuum forming, photo-chemical etching, color matching, finishes and painting, and custom crating and shipping.
Is The Model Shop a public or private company?
The Model Shop is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Model Shop founded?
The Model Shop was founded in 1969. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Model Shop based?
The Model Shop is headquartered in Torrance, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Model Shop make money?
One revenue line is on record: custom Architectural Model Manufacturing.
Who are The Model Shop's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Goppion, RJ Models, Pro Set Models, JAX Architectural Models, Metivier Modelmaking, ACME Modelworks and Modelworks Inc.. Emerging players are Shapeways and Polychrome Studios. Foster + Partners Model Shop is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The Model Shop have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Model Shop.